A woman visits a health center requesting oral contraceptives. Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to assess before the patient begins oral contraceptive therapy?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because hypoxia does not cause an increased need for insulin, but rather a decreased utilization of glucose by the cells. Hypoxia can also impair the secretion of insulin by the pancreas.

Choice B reason: This is correct because corticosteroids are known to cause hyperglycemia by stimulating gluconeogenesis, inhibiting glucose uptake, and increasing insulin resistance. The patient may need to adjust his insulin dose or switch to oral antidiabetic agents while on corticosteroid therapy.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because antibiotics do not cause an increase in glucose levels, unless they are combined with other drugs that affect glucose metabolism, such as sulfonamides or fluoroquinolones.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because type 2 diabetes does not convert to type 1 diabetes, as they are different types of diabetes with different causes and mechanisms. Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.

Choice A reason: The client waits 10 min between inhalations is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should wait at least 1 min between inhalations to allow the medication to reach the lungs and avoid overdose.

Choice B reason: The client takes a quick inhalation while releasing the medication from the inhaler is the correct answer. This is the correct way to use an albuterol inhaler. The client should breathe in quickly and deeply while pressing down on the inhaler to release the medication. This ensures that the medication is delivered to the airways and not the mouth or throat.

Choice C reason: The client exhales as the medication is released from the inhaler is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should exhale before using the inhaler, not during or after. Exhaling while using the inhaler can cause the medication to be wasted or to irritate the mouth or throat.

Choice D reason: The client holds his breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication is not the correct answer. This is not a recommended practice for using an albuterol inhaler. The client should hold his breath for only a few seconds after inhaling the medication, not 10 seconds. Holding the breath for too long can cause dizziness, headache, or chest discomfort.