The nurse is caring for a client with renal dysfunction who requires an oral antidiabetic agent.
What drug will the nurse expect to see ordered?

Glulisine is a rapid-acting insulin that has an onset of action of 2 to 5 minutes and peaks in 30 to 90 minutes, making it the fastest among the choices. Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

Choice A. Aspart is also a rapid-acting insulin, but it has a slightly longer onset of action (10 to 20 minutes) and peak time (1 to 3 hours) than glulisine.

Choice B. Lispro is another rapid-acting insulin, but it has a similar onset of action (<15 minutes) and peak time (30 to 90 minutes) as glulisine, so it is not the fastest.

Choice C. Regular is a short-acting insulin that has a much longer onset of action (30 to 60 minutes) and peak time (2 to 4 hours) than glulisine, so it is not suitable for fast therapeutic effects.

Normal ranges for blood glucose levels are 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.

Insulin doses are adjusted based on blood glucose monitoring, carbohydrate intake, physical activity, and other factors.

The correct answer is c. The importance of consuming adequate amounts of water.

Rationale for Choice A:

• Statement:The need to monitor for systemic side effects.
• Rationale:It's not accurate to prioritize monitoring for systemic side effects when teaching a patient about psyllium (Metamucil).Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that primarily acts within the gastrointestinal tract,and systemic side effects are rare.While it's essential to be aware of potential side effects,focusing on them during initial teaching might cause unnecessary anxiety.

Rationale for Choice B:

• Statement:The need to use the dry form of Metamucil to prevent cramping.
• Rationale:This statement is incorrect.It's generally recommended to mix psyllium with water or another liquid before ingestion.Consuming the dry form can increase the risk of choking and might not adequately hydrate stool.

Rationale for Choice C:

• Statement:The importance of consuming adequate amounts of water.
• Rationale:This is the most crucial information to emphasize when teaching about psyllium.Psyllium works by absorbing water and forming a bulky gel that softens stool and promotes bowel movements.Without sufficient water intake,psyllium can cause constipation to worsen or lead to intestinal obstruction.

Rationale for Choice D:

• Statement:The onset of action of 30 to 60 minutes after administration.
• Rationale:This statement is inaccurate.Psyllium is not a fast-acting laxative.It typically takes 12-72 hours to produce a bowel movement.Informing patients about the expected time frame for results is essential to manage expectations and prevent unnecessary medication overuse.