A client with type I diabetes mellitus has been prescribed a glucagon emergency kit for home use. When should the nurse instruct the client and family to administer glucagon?

Choice A rationale

Risedronate is a type of medication known as a bisphosphonate, which is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. It works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures. It’s important to take risedronate correctly to ensure it works effectively. One key instruction is that it should be taken with a full glass of plain water, at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. This is because food and beverages can decrease the amount of risedronate absorbed by the body. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client that it is necessary to take nothing but water with the medication.

Choice B rationale

Withholding the medication until the client’s breakfast tray is available on the unit would not be the best action. This is because risedronate needs to be taken as soon as you get out of bed in the morning and at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Waiting for the breakfast tray could delay the administration of the medication and potentially decrease its effectiveness.

Choice C rationale

Consulting with a pharmacist about scheduling the dose one hour after the client eats is not the best action. As mentioned earlier, risedronate should be taken at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Taking it after eating could decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body, reducing its effectiveness.

Choice D rationale

Assigning an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to bring the client a glass of low-fat milk is not the correct action. This is because risedronate should be taken with a full glass of plain water, not milk. In fact, taking risedronate with milk could decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body.

Choice A rationale

Administering glucagon prior to meals to prevent hyperglycemia is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose levels by causing the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. It is typically used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), not to prevent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Choice B rationale

The nurse should instruct the client and family to administer glucagon when symptoms of severe hypoglycemia are present. Severe hypoglycemia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In such cases, glucagon can be administered to quickly raise the blood glucose level.

Choice C rationale

Administering glucagon when the client is unable to eat during sick days is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. While it’s true that illness can affect blood glucose levels,

glucagon is specifically used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Other strategies, such as adjusting insulin doses or consuming liquid or soft carbohydrates, are typically recommended when a person with diabetes is sick and unable to eat their usual meals.

Choice D rationale

Administering glucagon at the onset of symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis is not a recommended use of a glucagon emergency kit. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic. Glucagon would not be effective in treating this condition.