Diabetes Drugs & Nursing Know-How: Can You Ace This Quiz?

Mr. Wesley, newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, is under the care of a home health nurse. His orders include a 1200-calorie ADA diet, 15 units of NPH insulin before breakfast, and blood sugar checks four times daily. At 5 p.m., his blood glucose reads 50 mg/dL. How would the nurse expect the patient to present?

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Correct Incorrect The patient is most likely experiencing hypoglycemia, which triggers an adrenaline (epinephrine) release, leading to symptoms like anxiety, pale skin, and a rapid heartbeat.

Mr. Wesley, newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, is under the care of a home health nurse. His orders include a 1200-calorie ADA diet, 15 units of NPH insulin before breakfast, and blood sugar checks four times daily. At 5 p.m., his blood glucose reads 50 mg/dL. How would the nurse expect the patient to present?

• Anxiety, paleness, and pulse of 110 bpm
• Lethargic with hot dry skin and rapid deep respirations
• Alert and cooperative with BP of 130/80 mm Hg and respirations of 12 breaths per minute
• Short of breath, with distended neck veins and bounding pulse of 96 bpm