Oral Hypoglycemics
What type of diabetes are oral hypoglycemics used for?
Type 2
What type of diabetes are injectable hypoglycemics used for?
Type 1
What does the clear solution represent?
Short/rapid-acting insulin
What medication can mask the signs of hypoglycemia?
Beta Blockers
What is the condition that hyperglycemics treat?
Hypoglycemia
How do Glucotrol and Starlix work?
Stimulate the release of insulin
When do you administer rapid-acting insulin?
Before meals
What does the cloudy solution represent?
Intermediate-acting insulin
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Diaphoresis, tachycardia, tremors, hunger, fatigue
What is the function of glucagon?
To raise blood sugar levels
What is Actos used with?
Insulin or Metformin
Why is it important to rotate insulin injection sites?
To prevent lipohypertrophy
What should you do before injecting air into the NPH insulin?
Roll gently between hands
If the patient is hypoglycemic and conscious, what should you administer to raise the blood glucose level?
Carbohydrates such as orange juice or oral glucose tablets
How long can it take for glucagon to work?
Up to 20 min
When do you want to take Precose and Glyset, why?
With meals, because it slows the absorption of carbohydrates from foods you eat
What would the nurse want to ensure that the patient understands and can do on their own when they go home with injectable hypoglycemics?
The client can perform self-administration of insulin on their own and knows how to give the injection to themselves
Which type of insulin do you draw into the syringe first? Give reasoning
The short/rapid-acting insulin so that it lessens the risk of longer-acting insulin to get into the short-acting vial
If the patient is hypoglycemic and NPO or unconscious, what should you administer to raise the blood glucose level?
D50 or glucagon
What drug is used for severe cases of hypoglycemia?
IV glucose (D50)
What are the three ways in which Metformin works?
1. Decreases absorption of glucose in intestines
2. Decreases synthesis of glucose in liver
3. Increases sensitivity of insulin receptors
What injectable hypoglycemic has no peak and a duration of 24 hours?
Lantus (long-acting)
What is the order in which you inject air and draw up medicine from the different insulins?
Inject air into long-acting, then short-acting, draw up from short-acting, then long-acting
When the patient is hypoglycemic, how often should the nurse check the patient's blood glucose level after administration of carbohydrates or glucagon/D50?
q15 minutes
What is the first line of defense with hypoglycemia?
Food (half a banana, half a cup of fruit juice, glucose tablets)