The physician orders an injection of dexamethasone (Decadron) 6mg IM for a patient.

The available stock is dexamethasone 4mg/1ml in a 5ml multidose vial.

How many mLs of this medication will the nurse prepare?

Choice A rationale:

Polyuria, which is frequent or excessive urination, is not typically a symptom of hypoglycemia. It is more commonly associated with hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels.

Choice B rationale:

Sweating is indeed a common symptom of hypoglycemia. When blood sugar levels fall too low, the body may respond by sweating as it releases adrenaline in response to the hypoglycemic state.

Choice C rationale:

Tachycardia, or a fast heartbeat, is another common symptom of hypoglycemia. This is part of the body’s response to low blood sugar levels, as it releases adrenaline to try to raise these levels.

Choice D rationale:

Blurry vision can be a symptom of hypoglycemia. When blood sugar levels fall, it can affect the ability of the eyes to focus, leading to blurry vision.

Choice E rationale:

Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is not typically a symptom of hypoglycemia. Like polyuria, it is more commonly associated with hyperglycemia.

Choice A rationale:

While it’s important for the client’s family to be aware of the disease and take precautions, they do not necessarily need to take medications to prevent infection. Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease, but it typically requires close and prolonged contact to spread. Family members should be tested for TB, and if they test positive, then treatment would be necessary.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. A typical course of treatment for TB involves 6 to 9 months of consistent medication use. This is because TB bacteria die very slowly, and medications need to be taken for several months to ensure that all the bacteria are killed. If treatment is stopped too soon, some bacteria may survive and become resistant to the drugs.

Choice C rationale:

It’s not accurate to say that medications will need to be taken for the rest of the client’s life. While TB treatment is lengthy, it does not continue indefinitely. Once the full course of treatment is completed and the disease is cured, further medication is not typically necessary.

Choice D rationale:

The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculin skin test, is used to determine whether a person has TB infection. However, the test can remain positive for a long time, even after successful treatment. Therefore, medications should not be taken until the Mantoux test is negative. Instead, the duration of treatment is determined by the healthcare provider based on various factors, including the patient’s response to the medication.