A nurse is providing education to a client who has hypoglycemia. Which of the following information should the nurse include about the regulation of blood glucose levels?
The adrenal glands release epinephrine and norepinephrine to respond to low blood glucose.
The liver releases glucagon to regulate blood glucose levels.
Glycogenesis occurs in the pancreas when blood glucose levels fall.
The brain uses protein for energy if glucose levels fall too low.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
The adrenal glands play a crucial role in responding to low blood glucose levels by releasing epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones help to increase blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen to glucose) and gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) in the liver. This response is part of the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism, which ensures that sufficient glucose is available for immediate energy needs.
Choice B Reason:
The liver does not release glucagon; rather, it responds to glucagon, which is released by the pancreas. Glucagon stimulates the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) and to produce glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis). This process helps to raise blood glucose levels when they are low.
Choice C Reason:
Glycogenesis is the process of converting glucose into glycogen for storage, and it occurs primarily in the liver and muscle cells, not in the pancreas. The pancreas releases insulin to promote glycogenesis when blood glucose levels are high, but it does not perform glycogenesis itself.
Choice D Reason:
The brain primarily uses glucose for energy and does not switch to using protein unless glucose levels are extremely low and prolonged. In such cases, the brain can use ketone bodies derived from fat as an alternative energy source. Protein is not a primary energy source for the brain under normal conditions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A client admitted for hip fracture surgery is at risk for various complications, but not specifically for hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). HHS is more commonly triggered by infections, severe dehydration, or other acute illnesses. While surgery can be a stressor, it is not as directly linked to HHS as infections are.
Choice B reason:
A client who is awaiting cataract surgery is not typically at high risk for developing HHS. Cataract surgery is generally a planned and controlled procedure that does not usually involve the acute stressors or infections that can precipitate HHS.
Choice C reason:
A client who is receiving an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection is at a higher risk for developing HHS. Infections are a common precipitating factor for HHS because they can cause significant stress on the body, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. The body’s response to infection can exacerbate hyperglycemia, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Choice D reason:
A client who is being evaluated for a breast lump is not typically at high risk for HHS. While the evaluation process can be stressful, it does not usually involve the acute physiological stressors or infections that are more directly linked to the development of HHS.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Synchronized Electrical Cardioversion
Synchronized electrical cardioversion is a procedure that uses a therapeutic dose of electric current to the heart at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle to restore a normal heart rhythm. It is typically used to treat certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia. However, it is not the primary treatment for heart failure with arrhythmias. This procedure is more suited for acute management of arrhythmias rather than long-term regulation of heart rhythm in heart failure patients.
Choice B reason: Heart Catheterization with Percutaneous Intervention
Heart catheterization with percutaneous intervention, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), involves using a catheter to open up blocked coronary arteries. This procedure is primarily used to treat coronary artery disease and improve blood flow to the heart muscle. While it can alleviate symptoms of heart disease and prevent heart attacks, it does not directly address the issue of arrhythmias associated with heart failure. Therefore, it is not the most appropriate choice for regulating heart rhythm in this context.
Choice C reason: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a specialized treatment for heart failure patients who have developed arrhythmias. CRT involves implanting a device called a biventricular pacemaker, which sends electrical signals to both the left and right ventricles to help them contract in a more synchronized manner. This improves the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action and can significantly alleviate symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and fatigue. CRT is particularly beneficial for patients with moderate to severe heart failure and those whose heart chambers do not beat in unison. This makes CRT the most appropriate choice for regulating heart rhythm in a patient with worsening heart failure and arrhythmias.
Choice D reason: Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart. It provides detailed information about the heart’s structure and function, including the size and shape of the heart chambers, the movement of the heart walls, and the function of the heart valves. While an echocardiogram is essential for diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions, it is not a treatment procedure. It does not regulate heart rhythm but rather helps in assessing the severity of heart failure and guiding treatment decisions.
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