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A client with gestational diabetes asks the nurse about the preferred medication for controlling blood sugar levels.
The nurse explains that the preferred medication is chosen because it does not cross the placenta and affect the baby.
Which medication is the nurse referring to?
Insulin is the preferred medication for controlling blood sugar levels in gestational diabetes because it does not cross the placenta and affect the baby.Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating glucose uptake in muscle and fat cells and inhibiting glucose production in the liver.
Metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug that can cross the placenta and may have unknown effects on the baby.Metformin works by decreasing glucose production in the liver and increasing insulin sensitivity in muscle and fat cells.
Glyburide is another oral antidiabetic drug that can cross the placenta and may cause hypoglycemia or other adverse effects in the baby.Glyburide works by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas and increasing insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.
Oral corticosteroids are not used to treat gestational diabetes, but rather to accelerate fetal lung maturation in preterm labor.Oral corticosteroids can actually increase blood glucose levels by stimulating gluconeogenesis and decreasing insulin sensitivity.
The correct answer is choice A. Insulin injections. Insulin is the preferred medication for controlling blood sugar levels in gestational diabetes because it does not cross the placenta and affect the baby. Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating glucose uptake in muscle and fat cells and inhibiting glucose production in the liver.
Choice B. Metformin is wrong because metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug that can cross the placenta and may have unknown effects on the baby. Metformin works by decreasing glucose production in the liver and increasing insulin sensitivity in muscle and fat cells.
Choice C. Glyburide is wrong because glyburide is another oral antidiabetic drug that can cross the placenta and may cause hypoglycemia or other adverse effects in the baby. Glyburide works by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas and increasing insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.
Choice D. Oral corticosteroids are wrong because oral corticosteroids are not used to treat gestational diabetes, but rather to accelerate fetal lung maturation in preterm labor. Oral corticosteroids can actually increase blood glucose levels by stimulating gluconeogenesis and decreasing insulin sensitivity.