The nurse is caring for a client with elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Which safety precaution should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A Reason: Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels, typically below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). The client’s fasting blood glucose level is 122 mg/dL (6.8 mmol/L), which is above the normal range, thus ruling out hypoglycemia.

Choice B Reason: Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests1. The client’s level is slightly below this threshold, suggesting that he does not currently have diabetes mellitus but is at risk.

Choice C Reason: Prediabetes is indicated by a fasting blood glucose level of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L)1. The client’s level falls within this range, indicating that he has higher than normal blood glucose levels but not high enough to be classified as diabetes, hence prediabetes.

Choice D Reason: Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is not applicable to this male client.

Option i Reason: Fatty liver disease is not directly indicated by the laboratory results provided and is typically associated with elevated liver enzymes and imaging findings.

Option ii Reason: Occupational factors are not directly related to the fasting blood glucose levels.

Option iii Reason: Lack of insulin production is a characteristic of type 1 diabetes, which is not indicated by the client’s fasting blood glucose level alone.

Option iv Reason: Impaired glucose tolerance is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. It is a characteristic of prediabetes and is indicated by the client’s fasting blood glucose level.

Choice A reason: Telling the parents that the procedure is 100% effective and safe is misleading and unethical. No medical procedure can be guaranteed to be completely effective and without risk.
Choice B reason: Providing the parents with ideas about how to make their child feel better after the procedure can be comforting and can help them feel more involved and prepared for post-procedure care.
Choice C reason: Finding a comfortable area for the parents to wait that is close to the procedure area can help reduce their anxiety by keeping them informed and involved in the process.
Choice D reason: Limiting visitation can increase anxiety as it separates the parents from their child, which can be distressing for both the child and the parents.
Choice E reason: Not providing any specifics on the amount of time the procedure will take can increase anxiety due to uncertainty. It is better to give a realistic time frame when possible.