Patient Data

Exhibits

The nurse should base insulin lispro administration on the client's anticipated intake of carbohydrates. The tray has not yet arrived in the room.

For each nursing action below, click to specify if the action is indicated, contraindicated or nonessential. Each row must have one option selected.

Give insulin lispro 4 units: Administering insulin lispro before the meal tray arrives is contraindicated because it can cause hypoglycemia if the client does not eat immediately. Insulin lispro should be given based on the exact carbohydrate intake, which cannot be determined until food is present.

Restart the IV fluids until the tray arrives: Restarting the IV fluids is indicated because it helps maintain hydration, especially important for a client with hyperglycemia and recent surgery. Fluids support perfusion and protect against dehydration while waiting for the client's nutritional intake to resume.

Give insulin glargine 12 units: Giving insulin glargine now is contraindicated because the client already received her scheduled dose earlier in the morning before surgery. Re-administering it could cause insulin stacking and dangerously low blood sugar later.

Mix the insulin lispro and insulin glargine in one syringe: Mixing insulin lispro and insulin glargine together is contraindicated because glargine is designed to maintain a stable, long-acting release. Mixing it can alter its absorption profile, making it unsafe to combine in the same syringe.

Verify that the client intake matches the carbohydrate count: This action is indicated because insulin lispro is prescribed to match the carbohydrate content of meals. Verifying the number of carbohydrates ensures the correct lispro dose is administered and helps prevent dosing errors and hypoglycemia.