Question 1: A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. What is the nurse’s priority teaching point?
Rationale: Gastrointestinal upset is a common side effect of metformin. Clients should be aware and take it with food to reduce this effect.
Question 2: A client with type 1 diabetes is preparing for surgery. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Rationale: Monitoring blood glucose closely is critical in clients with diabetes undergoing surgery to prevent hypo- or hyperglycemia.
Question 3: A client with diabetes is being treated for hypoglycemia. The client is conscious and alert. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Rationale: For conscious clients experiencing hypoglycemia, providing 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate is the first-line treatment.
Question 4: A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 500 mg/dL and is diagnosed with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Rationale: The priority intervention in HHS is rehydration with IV fluids to address severe dehydration before administering insulin.
Question 5: A client with diabetes asks about the significance of hemoglobin A1c testing. What is the nurse’s best response?
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects the client’s average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months, helping to assess long-term glucose control.
