A 65-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes is admitted to the hospital. The doctor prescribes insulin using a sliding scale. The patient's blood glucose level is 250 mg/dL. According to the sliding scale, the patient should receive 4 units of insulin for glucose levels between 200-250 mg/dL. What should the nurse do next?

• Administer 4 units of insulin immediately.

• Recheck the blood glucose level in 30 minutes.

• Consult the doctor for further instructions.

• Educate the patient about the importance of diet control.

Answer explanation

The sliding scale indicates that the patient should receive 4 units of insulin for a blood glucose level of 250 mg/dL. Therefore, the nurse should administer 4 units of insulin immediately.

A patient is learning how to manage their diabetes at home. The nurse is teaching them about the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the education session?

• "You only need to check your blood glucose levels once a week."

• "Monitoring your blood glucose levels helps you adjust your insulin dosage."

• "It's not necessary to record your blood glucose readings."

• "You should only monitor your blood glucose levels if you feel unwell."

Answer explanation

Monitoring your blood glucose levels is crucial for managing diabetes, as it allows you to adjust your insulin dosage based on your current glucose levels, ensuring better control of your condition.

A patient with diabetes is on a sliding scale insulin regimen. The nurse needs to calculate the insulin dose for a blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL. The sliding scale indicates 2 units for glucose levels between 150-200 mg/dL. What is the correct dose of insulin?

• 1 unit

• 2 units

• 3 units

• 4 units

Answer explanation

The sliding scale indicates 2 units of insulin for blood glucose levels between 150-200 mg/dL. Since the patient's blood glucose level is 180 mg/dL, the correct dose of insulin is 2 units.

A patient with diabetes is concerned about hypoglycemia. The nurse explains the symptoms and management of low blood sugar. Which of the following should the nurse emphasize as a key strategy to prevent hypoglycemia?

• Skipping meals to lower blood sugar levels.

• Regularly adjusting insulin doses without consulting a healthcare provider.

• Eating regular meals and snacks.

• Avoiding all forms of sugar.

Answer explanation

Eating regular meals and snacks is crucial for preventing hypoglycemia in diabetes. It helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of low blood sugar episodes.

A nurse is reviewing a patient's blood glucose log. The patient has consistently high readings in the morning. What should the nurse consider as a possible reason for this pattern?

• The patient is taking too much insulin at night.

• The patient is experiencing the dawn phenomenon.

• The patient is not eating enough carbohydrates at dinner.

• The patient is exercising too much in the evening.

Answer explanation

The dawn phenomenon is a natural increase in blood glucose levels in the early morning due to hormonal changes. This explains the consistently high morning readings, unlike the other options which do not directly relate to this pattern.

A patient is prescribed a new insulin regimen. The nurse needs to educate the patient on how to calculate their insulin dose using a sliding scale. Which of the following is an important step in this process?

• Estimating the dose based on how the patient feels.

• Using a fixed dose regardless of blood glucose levels.

• Checking blood glucose levels before meals and at bedtime.

• Administering insulin only when blood glucose levels are above 300 mg/dL.

Answer explanation

Checking blood glucose levels before meals and at bedtime is crucial for calculating insulin doses accurately on a sliding scale, ensuring the patient receives the appropriate amount of insulin based on their current glucose levels.

A patient with diabetes is using a sliding scale for insulin administration. The nurse notices that the patient's blood glucose levels are consistently high after lunch. What should the nurse do to address this issue?

• Increase the morning insulin dose.

• Contact the provider about adjusting the sliding scale to include a higher dose for post-lunch readings.

• Advise the patient to skip lunch.

• Suggest the patient increase their physical activity after lunch.

Answer explanation

Adjusting the sliding scale to include a higher dose for post-lunch readings directly addresses the consistently high blood glucose levels after lunch, ensuring better glycemic control.

A patient is learning to self-administer insulin. The nurse is teaching the patient about the importance of rotating injection sites. Why is this practice important?

• To increase the absorption rate of insulin.

• To prevent lipodystrophy and ensure consistent insulin absorption.

• To reduce the amount of insulin needed.

• To make the injections less painful.

Answer explanation

Rotating injection sites is crucial to prevent lipodystrophy, which can occur from repeated injections in the same area, and to ensure consistent insulin absorption for effective blood sugar control.

A patient with diabetes is experiencing frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. The nurse is reviewing the patient's insulin regimen and dietary habits. What should the nurse consider as a potential cause of these episodes?

• The patient is consuming too many carbohydrates.

• The patient is taking insulin without eating.

• The patient is not taking enough insulin.

• The patient is exercising too little.

Answer explanation

The patient is taking insulin without eating, which can lead to hypoglycemia as insulin lowers blood sugar levels. Without food intake to balance this effect, episodes of low blood sugar are likely to occur.

A nurse is teaching a patient about the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia. Which of the following should the nurse include as a common symptom?

• Shakiness

• Sweating

• Frequent urination

• Sudden weight gain

Answer explanation

Frequent urination is a common symptom of hyperglycemia due to excess glucose in the blood, leading to increased urine production. Shakiness and sweating are more associated with hypoglycemia, while sudden weight gain is not typical.