Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The client, on an intensified insulin regimen, consistently has a fasting blood glucose between 70 and 80 mg/dL, a postprandial blood glucose level below 200 mg/dL, and a hemoglobin A1c level of 5.5%. What is the nurse’s interpretation of these findings?
A. The client is at increased risk for developing hypoglycemia.
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is not at an increased risk for developing hypoglycemia.
B. The client is demonstrating signs of insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes. The client’s blood glucose levels are well controlled, which suggests that the client’s insulin regimen is effective, not that the client is demonstrating signs of insulin resistance.
C. The client is demonstrating good control of blood glucose.
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is demonstrating good control of blood glucose.
D. The client is at increased risk for developing hyperglycemia.
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is not at an increased risk for developing hyperglycemia.
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Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is not at an increased risk for developing hypoglycemia.
Choice B rationale
Insulin resistance is a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes. The client’s blood glucose levels are well controlled, which suggests that the client’s insulin regimen is effective, not that the client is demonstrating signs of insulin resistance.
Choice C rationale
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is demonstrating good control of blood glucose.
Choice D rationale
The client’s fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, and hemoglobin A1c level are all within the target range for good blood glucose control in diabetes. Therefore, the client is not at an increased risk for developing hyperglycemia.
Similar Questions
A patient with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) consumes 15 TUMS antacid tablets daily. What risk does the nurse understand this patient is facing?
A. Metabolic alkalosis.
Consuming excessive amounts of antacids, such as TUMS, can lead to metabolic alkalosis. Antacids contain bicarbonate, which can neutralize stomach acid. However, excessive bicarbonate in the body can disrupt the acid-base balance, leading to metabolic alkalosis.
B. Respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis is typically caused by conditions that result in hypoventilation, such as lung diseases or drug overdose, not by excessive antacid consumption.
C. Metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis is typically caused by conditions that increase acid in the body or decrease bicarbonate, such as kidney disease or lactic acidosis, not by excessive antacid consumption.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis is typically caused by conditions that result in hyperventilation, such as anxiety or fever, not by excessive antacid consumption.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Consuming excessive amounts of antacids, such as TUMS, can lead to metabolic alkalosis. Antacids contain bicarbonate, which can neutralize stomach acid. However, excessive bicarbonate in the body can disrupt the acid-base balance, leading to metabolic alkalosis.
Choice B rationale
Respiratory acidosis is typically caused by conditions that result in hypoventilation, such as lung diseases or drug overdose, not by excessive antacid consumption.
Choice C rationale
Metabolic acidosis is typically caused by conditions that increase acid in the body or decrease bicarbonate, such as kidney disease or lactic acidosis, not by excessive antacid consumption.
Choice D rationale
Respiratory alkalosis is typically caused by conditions that result in hyperventilation, such as anxiety or fever, not by excessive antacid consumption.
A patient diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes reports a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL and symptoms of a sore throat, cough, and fever.
What advice should the nurse give to the patient?
A. Limit intake to non-caloric containing liquids until the glucose is within normal limits.
Limiting intake to non-caloric containing liquids until the glucose is within normal limits is not the best advice for a patient with Type 1 diabetes reporting a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL and symptoms of a sore throat, cough, and fever. While it’s important to stay hydrated, especially when sick, it’s also crucial to maintain a balanced diet to provide the body with necessary nutrients for recovery.
B. Decrease intake of carbohydrates until blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL.
Decreasing intake of carbohydrates until blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL is not recommended. Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy, and reducing their intake could lead to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous.
C. Monitor blood glucose levels every 4 hours and notify the doctor if it continues to rise.
Monitoring blood glucose levels every 4 hours and notifying the doctor if it continues to rise is the best advice. When a patient with diabetes is sick, their blood glucose levels can rise due to the stress the body is under. Regular monitoring allows for timely adjustments in insulin dosage and helps prevent diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication.
D. Only administer the morning prescribed dose of insulin.
Administering only the morning prescribed dose of insulin is not advisable. Insulin requirements can increase when a person with diabetes is sick. Therefore, sticking to the regular insulin regimen without adjustments could lead to high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Limiting intake to non-caloric containing liquids until the glucose is within normal limits is not the best advice for a patient with Type 1 diabetes reporting a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL and symptoms of a sore throat, cough, and fever. While it’s important to stay hydrated, especially when sick, it’s also crucial to maintain a balanced diet to provide the body with necessary nutrients for recovery.
Choice B rationale
Decreasing intake of carbohydrates until blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL is not recommended. Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy, and reducing their intake could lead to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring blood glucose levels every 4 hours and notifying the doctor if it continues to rise is the best advice. When a patient with diabetes is sick, their blood glucose levels can rise due to the stress the body is under. Regular monitoring allows for timely adjustments in insulin dosage and helps prevent diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication.
Choice D rationale
Administering only the morning prescribed dose of insulin is not advisable. Insulin requirements can increase when a person with diabetes is sick. Therefore, sticking to the regular insulin regimen without adjustments could lead to high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
A patient’s insulin dosage is 16 units of regular insulin in the morning. When should the patient expect the insulin peak?
A. 2 to 4 hours.
Step 1 is: According to the information from the search results, regular insulin, such as the 16 units prescribed to the patient, starts working 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration and peaks in 2 to 5 hours. Therefore, the patient should expect the insulin peak 2 to 4 hours after administration.
B. 2 to 8 hours.
C. 5 to 7 hours.
D. 3 to 10 hours.
Full Explanation
Step 1 is: According to the information from the search results, regular insulin, such as the 16 units prescribed to the patient, starts working 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration and peaks in 2 to 5 hours. Therefore, the patient should expect the insulin peak 2 to 4 hours after administration.