A nurse is monitoring a client with type 1 diabetes for signs of hypoglycemia. Which symptom should the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention?
Increased thirst
Tremors and sweating
Increased appetite
Frequent urination
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Increased thirst (polydipsia) is a symptom of hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, in type 1 diabetes. It results from osmotic diuresis due to elevated glucose, not low glucose levels, making it irrelevant for immediate intervention in a hypoglycemic crisis requiring rapid glucose administration.
Choice B reason: Tremors and sweating are classic signs of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes, caused by sympathetic nervous system activation and catecholamine release in response to low blood glucose. These indicate an urgent need for glucose to prevent seizures or unconsciousness, making this the priority symptom.
Choice C reason: Increased appetite (polyphagia) is associated with hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, as cells are starved of glucose due to insulin deficiency. It does not require immediate intervention in a hypoglycemic context, as it reflects a different metabolic state, making this symptom less urgent.
Choice D reason: Frequent urination (polyuria) is a hyperglycemia symptom, driven by osmotic diuresis from high glucose levels, not hypoglycemia. It does not indicate an acute crisis requiring immediate action, unlike tremors and sweating, which signal a potentially life-threatening low glucose state.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Oral analgesics are less effective in acute pancreatitis due to severe pain and potential gastric dysmotility from inflammation. IV opioids provide faster, more reliable pain relief, as oral absorption may be impaired, making this a less appropriate choice for acute pain management.
Choice B reason: A high-fiber diet is contraindicated in acute pancreatitis, as it stimulates digestion, increasing pancreatic enzyme secretion and worsening inflammation and pain. Patients are typically kept NPO (nothing by mouth) to rest the pancreas, making this an inappropriate intervention for pain control.
Choice C reason: IV opioid analgesics, such as morphine or fentanyl, are the preferred treatment for severe pain in acute pancreatitis. They provide rapid, effective analgesia by acting on central pain receptors, reducing discomfort without stimulating pancreatic activity, making this the priority intervention for pain management.
Choice D reason: Applying a warm compress to the abdomen is contraindicated, as heat may increase inflammation and blood flow to the pancreas, worsening pain and tissue damage. Pain management in pancreatitis relies on pharmacological interventions, making this an incorrect and potentially harmful action.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Gestational diabetes involves insulin resistance due to placental hormones, not primarily beta cell failure to respond to insulin. It occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves post-delivery, making it distinct from type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction are chronic.
Choice B reason: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency, not beta cells failing to respond to insulin. The lack of insulin production distinguishes it from type 2, where insulin resistance is the primary issue.
Choice C reason: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where peripheral tissues and beta cells fail to respond effectively to insulin, combined with progressive beta cell dysfunction. This leads to relative insulin deficiency, making this the correct diagnosis for the described pathophysiology.
Choice D reason: Impaired glucose tolerance is a prediabetic state with elevated glucose levels but not yet meeting diabetes criteria. It involves mild insulin resistance but not significant beta cell failure to respond to insulin, distinguishing it from established type 2 diabetes with more pronounced dysfunction.
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