Patho 1
A client with diabetes is urinating frequently and very thirsty. What is most likely happening?
Their blood glucose is high, causing increased urination and thirst
What medication is used to replace the insulin that a person with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce?
insulin
What are the three classic symptoms of diabetes?
Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
Which acute diabetic complication is associated with ketone production and metabolic acidosis?
A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is awake and able to swallow. What is the priority intervention?
Give a rapid source of glucose
If glucose cannot move into cells effectively, what happens to blood glucose?
increases = hyperglycemia
What is a major side effect of insulin that nurses need to watch for?
hypoglycemia
what is polydipsia
excessive thirst
A client with diabetes has severe hyperglycemia, profound dehydration, and altered mental status but little or no significant ketosis. Which complication is most likely?
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
Four clients are assigned to the nurse. Who should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with diabetes reporting increased thirst
B. Client with glucose of 240 mg/dL
C. Client with diabetes who is unconscious
D. Client reporting increased urination
A client with Type 1 diabetes mellitus has very little endogenous insulin production. What is the primary consequence?
Glucose cannot effectively enter cells
causing hyperglycemia
A client says, "I took my insulin, but now I don't feel well and I'm very shaky." What should the nursed first?
check blood glucose
Why does uncontrolled diabetes cause increased thirst?
High blood glucose causes increased urination and fluid loss
Which finding would make the nurse most concerned about DKA rather than uncomplicated hyperglycemia?
A. Increased thirst
B. Frequent urination
C. Deep, rapid respirations
D. Increased hunger
c - deep,rapid respirations
The nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should be assessed FIRST?
A. Client with Type 2 diabetes and a blood glucose of 220 mg/dL who reports thirst.
B. Client with diabetes who is awake, diaphoretic, shaky, and has a blood glucose of 48 mg/dL.
C. Client with diabetes who reports increased urination for 2 days.
D. Client with diabetes who reports numbness in both feet.
Blood glucose 48 mg/dL with symptoms of hypoglycemia
A client with Type 2 diabetes had insulin available, but their blood glucose remains elevated. What underlying problem best explains this?
insulin resistance
A client receives both long-acting and rapid-acting insulin. The client asks why they need two different types. What is the best explanation?
They provide different glucose-control patterns: basal coverage and meal-related/rapid glucose control
A client with diabetes has been ill and has poor oral intake. They tell the nurse, "Since I'm not eating, I stopped taking my diabetes medication." What is the nurse's priority response?
Assess the client's blood glucose
- rather than assuming medications should be stopped
A client with diabetes presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, altered mental status, and deep rapid respirations. Which complication should the nurse suspect, and what is the underlying cause of the respiratory pattern?
The deep, rapid respirations are compensation for
metabolic acidosis caused by ketone accumulation
A client with Type 2 diabetes is taking metformin. The client is scheduled for a procedure requiring iodinated contrast dye. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
A. Give the metformin as scheduled
B. Hold metformin as prescribed around the procedure
C. Administer additional metformin before the procedure
D. Replace metformin with insulin permanently
B. Hold metformin as prescribed around the procedure
A client has prolonged hyperglycemia and develops damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. What underlying process contributes to these complications?
Chronic hyperglycemia causes vascular and tissue damage
A client is prescribed metformin for Type 2 diabetes. Which finding is most important for the nurse to review before administering the medication?
A. The client's dietary intake
B. The client's renal function
C. The client's daily weight
D. The client's heart rate
B. Renal function
A client with Type 1 diabetes has no available insulin. Which metabolic change would the nurse expect to occur?
A. Decreased breakdown of fat
B. Increased glucose movement into cells
C. Increased production of ketones
D. Decreased blood glucose
C. Increased production of ketones
A client with diabetes has extremely high blood glucose, severe thirst, frequent urination, dehydration, and increasing confusion. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. HHS
C. Normal glucose regulation
D. Mild hyperglycemia
B. HHS (hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state)
A nurse is caring for a client with DKA. Which prescription should the nurse anticipate as part of the initial treatment?
A. IV fluids
B. Oral hypoglycemic medication
C. Fluid restriction
D. Long-term dietary teaching only
Answer: A. IV fluids