Patient Data

Exhibits

The nurse should base insulin lispro administration on the client's anticipated intake of carbohydrates. The tray has not yet arrived in the room.

For each nursing action below, click to specify if the action is indicated, contraindicated or nonessential. Each row must have one option selected.

A. Schedule the medication to be given just before bedtime: Pyridostigmine should be timed to coincide with periods of increased activity, especially before meals, to improve muscle strength. Giving it at bedtime would not offer functional benefit unless the client experiences nighttime symptoms.

B. Break the medication into small pieces and sprinkle onto food: Pyridostigmine tablets are not designed to be crushed or split unless specifically directed. Altering the form may affect its absorption and reduce its effectiveness in managing symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

C. Instruct the client to avoid dairy products for at least 30 minutes: Dairy does not interfere significantly with the absorption or action of pyridostigmine. Dietary restrictions should be based on known drug-food interactions, which are not typically associated with pyridostigmine and dairy.

D. Administer the medication thirty minutes prior to meals: Administering pyridostigmine before meals helps enhance swallowing and chewing abilities, reducing the risk of aspiration. This timing optimizes muscle strength during eating, which is a high-risk activity for clients with myasthenia gravis.

A. Notify the healthcare provider: Notification of the healthcare provider is not immediately necessary just because of a meal delay. The nurse can manage the situation appropriately by adjusting the medication timing to ensure patient safety without requiring immediate provider involvement.

B. Administer the medication: Acarbose should be taken with the first bite of food to effectively delay carbohydrate absorption. Administering it without food available increases the risk of hypoglycemia, especially since the glucose level is already slightly elevated but within a manageable range.

C. Hold the medication until the meal trays arrive: Acarbose must be taken with the first mouthful of food to match the timing of glucose absorption. Holding the medication until the meal arrives ensures optimal therapeutic effect and prevents unnecessary hypoglycemia.

D. Obtain another finger stick blood glucose level: Rechecking the blood glucose is unnecessary at this time. The primary concern is coordinating the medication with food intake, not monitoring glucose trends over a short 30-minute delay.