The nurse devices a teaching plan for the patient with aplastic anemia. Which of the following is the most important concept to teach for health maintenance?

A. Insulin is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake and storage of glucose in cells.

B. Epinephrine (adrenaline) can raise blood glucose levels in response to the "fight or flight" stress response, but it's not primarily responsible for stimulating liver glycogenolysis.

C. Glucagon is produced by the alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans and plays a crucial role in increasing blood glucose levels. It promotes the breakdown of glycogen (glycogenolysis) in the liver and the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis).

D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol, which can also contribute to raising blood glucose levels but isn't primarily responsible for liver glycogenolysis.

In the context of diabetes management, understanding the role of glucagon is important because it helps individuals know how to manage hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) by administering glucagon or consuming fast-acting sources of glucose.

A.Anemia can be a common finding in nephrotic syndrome, often due to the loss of proteins like transferrin that are involved in red blood cell production, along with potential blood loss during episodes of proteinuria. The reduction in red blood cell production or anemia in nephrotic syndrome can also be exacerbated by decreased erythropoietin production.

B.Hypolipidemia is not a characteristic of nephrotic syndrome. In fact, nephrotic syndrome is associated with hyperlipidemia.

C.Hyperlipidemia is a classic feature of nephrotic syndrome. It results from an increase in the synthesis of lipoproteins by the liver as a compensatory mechanism to the loss of proteins (particularly albumin) in the urine.

D.Hypoproteinemia, specifically hypoalbuminemia, is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome. The loss of protein (especially albumin) through the urine due to damaged glomeruli leads to decreased levels of proteins in the blood. This contributes to the characteristic edema seen in nephrotic syndrome.

E.Hypoglycemiais not typically associated with nephrotic syndrome. Instead, children with nephrotic syndrome generally do not experience significant changes in glucose metabolism. In fact, if anything, glucose levels may be slightly elevated in some cases due to stress or steroid treatment.