Hyperglycemia Signs
This symptom causes patients to urinate frequently due to high glucose levels
Answer:
What is polyuria?
Rationale:
High blood sugar pulls water into the urine, increasing urination.
Insulin is considered this type of medication.
Answer:
What is a high-alert medication?
This device is used to check blood glucose levels.
Answer:
What is a glucometer?
A diabetic patient should carry this item to help treat low blood sugar quickly.
Answer:
What is a fast-acting carbohydrate?
Rationale:
Items like juice, glucose tablets, or hard candy can quickly raise blood glucose during hypoglycemia.
The nurse notices a diabetic patient’s IV site is cool, swollen, and leaking fluid. What is the priority nursing action?
Answer:
What is stop the IV infusion?
Rationale:
These findings suggest IV infiltration, and the infusion should be stopped immediately to prevent tissue damage.
This symptom occurs because cells cannot properly use glucose for energy.
Answer:
What is fatigue?
Rationale:
Without proper glucose use, the body lacks energy.
The nurse should always do this before administering insulin.
Answer:
What is check the blood glucose?
This is the normal fasting blood glucose range.
Answer:
What is 70–100 mg/dL?
This lifestyle habit helps improve blood sugar control.
Answer:
What is healthy eating?
The nurse notices a diabetic patient’s blood glucose has been high for several days despite insulin therapy. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?
Answer:
What is “Have you been taking your medication as prescribed?”
Rationale:
Medication adherence is a common cause of uncontrolled blood glucose and helps guide further nursing interventions.
This assessment finding is common in diabetic patients with poor circulation.
Answer:
What is delayed wound healing?
Rationale:
High glucose damages blood vessels and slows healing.
The nurse should verify insulin doses with this person.
Answer:
Who is another licensed nurse?
This insulin is commonly used for sliding scale coverage.
Answer:
What is regular insulin?
A diabetic patient says, “I only take insulin when my blood sugar feels high.” This statement shows the patient needs more teaching about:
Answer:
What is proper insulin management?
Rationale:
Patients should follow prescribed insulin schedules and blood glucose monitoring, not rely only on symptoms.
The nurse is preparing insulin and notices air bubbles in the syringe. What should the nurse do?
Answer:
What is remove the air bubbles before administration?
Rationale:
Air bubbles can affect the accuracy of the insulin dose.
This electrolyte imbalance can occur with severe hyperglycemia.
Answer:
What is potassium imbalance?
Rationale:
Glucose shifts can affect potassium levels.
Insulin syringes are measured in this.
Answer:
What are units?
The nurse is preparing to administer insulin and notices the patient’s blood glucose result was taken 5 hours ago. What should the nurse do first?
Answer:
What is recheck the blood glucose level?
Rationale:
Blood glucose levels can change quickly. The nurse needs an up-to-date reading before safely administering insulin.
Which patient statement shows correct understanding of insulin injection site rotation?
Answer:
What is “I should use different areas to prevent skin damage”?
Rationale:
Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy and improves insulin absorption.
The nurse is preparing to administer insulin into the patient’s abdomen and notices bruising at the site. What should the nurse do?
Answer:
What is choose a different injection site?
Rationale:
Bruised areas can affect insulin absorption and increase discomfort.
This life-threatening complication can occur if hyperglycemia is untreated.
Answer:
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Rationale:
Severe insulin deficiency causes ketone buildup and acidosis.
The nurse is preparing to give insulin and notices the patient’s lunch tray has not arrived yet. What should the nurse do first?
Answer:
What is wait until the patient’s meal is available?
Rationale:
Giving insulin before food is available can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. The nurse should make sure the patient can eat soon after insulin administration.
A diabetic patient suddenly becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused after insulin administration. What should the nurse suspect first?
Answer:
What is hypoglycemia?
Rationale:
These are classic signs of low blood sugar after insulin administration.
A diabetic patient says, “I store all my insulin in the freezer so it lasts longer.” This statement shows the patient needs more teaching about:
Answer:
What is proper insulin storage?
Rationale:
Freezing insulin can damage the medication and make it ineffective.
A diabetic patient says, “I reuse my insulin needles for a few days because they still look clean.” The nurse should educate the patient about the risk of:
Answer:
What is infection and tissue damage?
Rationale:
Reusing needles increases the risk of contamination, dull needles, pain, and skin injury.