The home care nurse is caring for an older adult client who has type 1 diabetes. The client has visual impairment and cannot read the numbers on the syringe when preparing insulin for administration nor afford the cost of prefilled auto syringes.
What strategy might the nurse use to help this client comply with insulin needs between visits?

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the sputum. Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

Choice A. Benzonatate is wrong because benzonatate is an antitussive that suppresses the cough reflex by numbing the throat and lungs.

It does not help with sputum production or clearance.

Choice B. Dextromethorphan is wrong because dextromethorphan is also an antitussive that acts on the brain to reduce the urge to cough.

It does not affect the mucus or bronchial secretions.

Choice C. Hydrocodone is wrong because hydrocodone is a narcotic antitussive that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals and decreasing cough.

It can cause sedation, respiratory depression, and dependence, and is not indicated for bronchitis.

Normal ranges for sputum production vary depending on the individual and the cause of the cough, but generally range from 10 to 100 mL per day.

Excessive or abnormal sputum may indicate an infection, inflammation, or obstruction of the airways.

Octreotide is a synthetic analog of somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits the secretion of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and other hormones. Octreotide can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. These side effects are more common and severe with the oral route than with the injectable route.

Choice B is wrong because tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is not a common or serious side effect of octreotide.

Choice C is wrong because alteration in consciousness is not a common or serious side effect of octreotide.

However, octreotide can affect blood glucose levels and cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, which can lead to confusion, dizziness, fainting, seizures, or coma in severe cases.

Choice D is wrong because changes in vision are not a common or serious side effect of octreotide.

However, octreotide can cause rare but serious eye problems such as blurred vision, double vision, eye pain, or blindness due to optic nerve damage or retinal detachment.

These eye problems require immediate medical attention.

Normal ranges for blood glucose are 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L) for fasting and less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) for postprandial.