A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and her partner about how to manage severe hypoglycemia at home. Which of the following actions should the nurse instruct the partner to perform first?
Offer the client a small meal if she is not nauseated.
Administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly to the client.
Contact the client's provider for further instructions
Transport the client to an emergency department for treatment.
The Correct Answer is B
A) Offer the client a small meal if she is not nauseated:
While eating a small meal can help raise blood glucose levels, it is not the immediate priority in a severe hypoglycemia situation. The client might be unconscious or unable to swallow safely, making this action inappropriate as a first step.
B) Administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly to the client:
Administering glucagon intramuscularly is the most crucial initial action. Glucagon rapidly increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver. This is vital for quickly reversing severe hypoglycemia, especially if the client is unconscious or unable to ingest carbohydrates orally.
C) Contact the client's provider for further instructions:
Contacting the provider is essential, but it should occur after addressing the immediate hypoglycemic episode. Once the client's condition stabilizes, further guidance can be sought from the healthcare provider.
D) Transport the client to an emergency department for treatment:
Transporting the client to the emergency department is necessary if the hypoglycemia does not improve after administering glucagon or if the client remains unresponsive. However, it is not the first action; immediate glucagon administration takes precedence to stabilize the client's condition before considering transportation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Check skin temperature distal to the injury with the dorsum of the hand.: Assessing skin temperature distal to the injury is an important part of evaluating neurovascular status. It helps to identify any changes in circulation or potential complications like ischemia. The dorsum of the hand is commonly used as it provides a good comparison to the temperature of the affected extremity.
B. Press the heel of the foot to determine capillary refill.: While capillary refill is an important assessment, it is usually measured by pressing the nail beds or pads of the fingers and toes, not by pressing the heel. This method does not provide a reliable indication of neurovascular status.
C. Monitor sensation by palpating the pad of the great toe with a blunt needle.: While assessing sensation is important, it is typically done using a light touch or pinprick, rather than palpating with a blunt needle. The use of a needle is not standard practice for this type of assessment.
D. Compare the color of the skin proximal to the injury with the other extremity.: Comparing the skin color distal to the injury with the unaffected extremity is more relevant for evaluating neurovascular status. Proximal comparison is less effective in assessing circulation and potential issues related to the injury.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Drowsiness: While drowsiness can be a sign of elevated magnesium levels, it is less critical compared to more immediate symptoms like bradycardia. Monitoring and managing drowsiness is important, but bradycardia poses a more immediate risk of severe cardiovascular issues.
B) Diminished patellar reflexes: Diminished reflexes can indicate elevated magnesium levels, but this finding is less urgent compared to symptoms directly affecting heart function. It still needs to be reported but is not the highest priority.
C) Generalized muscle weakness: Muscle weakness is another common sign of high magnesium levels, reflecting the effect of magnesium on neuromuscular function. However, it is less critical compared to bradycardia, which can be life-threatening.
D) Bradycardia: Elevated magnesium levels can significantly impact cardiac function, leading to bradycardia. Bradycardia can be life-threatening, as it may result in decreased cardiac output and potential for severe complications. Therefore, this finding requires immediate attention and should be reported to the provider first.
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