The practical nurse (PN) reports to the charge nurse that a client who is receiving a parenteral nutrition infusion has a capillary glucose of 365 mg/dL (20.3 mmol/L). Which action should the charge nurse implement?
Determine if the client has a sliding scale insulin prescription.
Stop the infusion until the healthcare provider is notified.
Assess the client's urinary output for the previous 24 hours.
Review the client's record for a history of diabetes mellitus.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Determining if the client has a sliding scale insulin prescription is crucial. A sliding scale insulin regimen can help manage elevated blood glucose levels effectively. In the case of a capillary glucose of 365 mg/dL, prompt intervention is needed to prevent hyperglycaemia-related complications, and insulin administration is the most appropriate immediate action.
Choice B reason: Stopping the infusion until the healthcare provider is notified may not be the best immediate action. While it is essential to address the hyperglycaemia, halting the parenteral nutrition infusion can affect the client's overall nutritional and fluid balance. The focus should be on managing the glucose levels promptly.
Choice C reason: Assessing the client's urinary output for the previous 24 hours is important for monitoring overall fluid status and kidney function, but it does not directly address the immediate need to manage the elevated glucose levels.
Choice D reason: Reviewing the client's record for a history of diabetes mellitus can provide valuable information for long-term management and understanding the client's baseline glucose control. However, it is not the most urgent action in response to an acutely elevated capillary glucose level. Immediate intervention with insulin is needed to address the hyperglycaemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: The degree of skin elasticity is a measure often used to assess hydration status, especially in older adults. However, it does not provide direct information about the client's cardiac function or the cause of their current symptoms.
Choice B reason: The length of capillary refill is useful for assessing peripheral perfusion and overall circulatory status. While prolonged capillary refill can indicate poor perfusion, it does not provide specific information about heart rhythm or the cause of palpitations and faintness in a client with heart failure.
Choice C reason: The rhythm of the apical pulse is the most important assessment data to obtain in this scenario. The client's complaint of a fast-beating heart and feeling faint suggests a possible arrhythmia, which could be detected by assessing the rhythm of the apical pulse. This assessment can help identify irregular heartbeats, tachycardia, or other abnormalities that may require immediate intervention.
Choice D reason: The volume of pedal pulses can provide information about peripheral circulation, but it is not as crucial as assessing the heart rhythm in a client experiencing palpitations and faintness. Peripheral pulse volume may not change significantly with certain arrhythmias or cardiac issues that affect the central circulation more directly.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: While it is important for the client to accept their new health status, this outcome is subjective and difficult to measure. The focus should be on specific, measurable outcomes related to diabetes management.
Choice B reason: A haemoglobin A1C level of less than 7.0% in 3 months is a specific, measurable outcome that indicates good control of blood glucose levels. It reflects adherence to the prescribed diabetic regimen and effective management of the condition.
Choice C reason: Educating the client's family about the signs and symptoms of diabetes is important, but it is more of a teaching objective rather than a measurable outcome for the client's plan of care.
Choice D reason: Monitoring the client's skin condition for colour changes is part of routine care but does not directly address the management of diabetes or measure the effectiveness of the treatment plan.
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