The nurse is assessing a client taking prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy. What should the nurse further assess?

A. Saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) is typically administered orally, not by injection. Therefore, cleansing an injection site is not relevant to this medication.
B. SSKI is not administered intravenously, so this step is unnecessary. Potassium iodide is given orally, so examining it for IV-related concerns such as crystals is not applicable.
C. SSKI has an unpleasant taste, so it is commonly mixed with fruit juice (or another liquid like water) to make it more palatable. Using a straw can help minimize the direct contact with the teeth and reduce the risk of irritation to the mouth and throat.
D. While monitoring vital signs is important for assessing the overall health status of the client, it is not routinely required specifically prior to administering SSKI, unless there are indications of a more serious issue or pre-existing conditions like thyroid dysfunction that may require more monitoring. This action would be more relevant for medications that directly affect hemodynamics or electrolyte balance, which is not a typical concern for SSKI.

A. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce any insulin or produces very little insulin. Insulin is necessary to help regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter cells. In type 2 diabetes, the body may not respond to insulin effectively (insulin resistance), or the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs. Either way, insulin production or function is impaired, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
B. The pancreas does not break down glycogen. Instead, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose when blood sugar is low. The pancreas's role in diabetes is primarily related to insulin production or secretion, not the breakdown of glycogen.
C. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that signals the liver to release glucose when blood sugar is low. In diabetes, the issue is typically with insulin production or the body’s response to insulin, not an overproduction of glucagon.
D. This statement is confusing. The liver does not absorb insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the problem is typically insulin resistance, meaning the body’s cells, including those in the liver, do not respond properly to insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the issue is a lack of insulin production.