A nurse is providing teaching to an older adult client about methods to promote nighttime sleep.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:

Glargine insulin is a long-acting insulin that provides a basal level of insulin over 24 hours. It is suitable for managing blood glucose levels in clients with diabetes mellitus who require a long-acting insulin to maintain glycemic control throughout the day.

Choice B rationale:

NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that lasts for about 12-16 hours. While it can be used for blood glucose management, it is not the best choice for a client needing long-acting insulin coverage throughout the day.

Choice C rationale:

Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin used to control postprandial glucose levels. It acts quickly to lower blood sugar after meals and is not suitable for long-acting coverage.

Choice D rationale:

Regular insulin, also known as short-acting insulin, is used to control blood glucose levels during meals. It has a faster onset of action compared to long-acting insulins and is not appropriate for managing basal insulin needs over an entire day.

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale:

The client has influenza, which is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted through droplets when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The UAP is in close contact with the client while assisting them to sit up in bed to eat lunch. Therefore, it is necessary for the UAP to wear a face mask in addition to a gown and gloves to prevent the spread of the virus.This is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which recommend that healthcare personnel wear a face mask when they are in the same room as a patient with suspected or confirmed influenza.

Choice B rationale:

A fitted respirator mask is not necessary in this situation.According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), respirators are required for airborne diseases such as tuberculosis, but not for influenza, which is a droplet-transmitted disease. Therefore, reminding the UAP to apply a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room is not the most appropriate action.

Choice C rationale:

Assigning the UAP to provide care for another client and assuming full care of the client is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The UAP is already wearing a gown and gloves, which are part of the standard precautions for any patient care.The UAP just needs to add a face mask to their personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely assist the client.

Choice D rationale:

Instructing the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status is always a good practice. However, it does not address the immediate need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client. Therefore, it is not the most appropriate action in this situation.