Blood Glucose Monitoring

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NCLEX-PN › Blood Glucose Monitoring

Questions 1 - 10
1

A 72-year-old client with type 2 diabetes takes glimepiride and has chronic kidney disease stage 3. After eating pie and mashed potatoes, the client reports fatigue and blurry vision; capillary blood glucose is 332 mg/dL. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action after obtaining this blood glucose reading?

Delay any action until the next scheduled glucose check to see if it improves

Give orange juice to lower the glucose and prevent hypoglycemia later

Administer extra glimepiride without an order because the glucose is above 300 mg/dL

Notify the RN of the elevated glucose and assess for dehydration or altered mental status

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety in responding to hyperglycemia in a client with kidney disease. The key assessment finding is a capillary blood glucose of 332 mg/dL with fatigue and blurry vision after high-carb foods. The correct answer, notifying the RN and assessing for dehydration or altered mental status, is the best choice due to risks in renal impairment like reduced drug clearance. Giving juice treats hypoglycemia not present, extra glimepiride without order is unsafe, and delaying action risks complications. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to consider comorbidities like kidney disease when evaluating elevated readings. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to promote balanced meals to mitigate postprandial spikes in at-risk clients.

2

A 40-year-old client newly diagnosed with diabetes is learning glucometer use. The client takes oral contraceptives, which can affect glucose levels. Which instruction should the nurse REINFORCE for a client learning to use a glucometer?

Squeeze the fingertip repeatedly until a large drop forms to improve accuracy

Dispose of lancets in the regular trash if the cap is replaced

Use a new lancet each time and dispose of it in a puncture-resistant sharps container

Skip handwashing if you used hand sanitizer within the last hour

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety with focus on infection prevention. The key client need is safe disposal and hygiene, noting oral contraceptives' glucose effects. The correct answer, using a new lancet each time and disposing in a sharps container, is the best choice to minimize infection and injury risks. Disposing in regular trash is hazardous, skipping handwashing allows errors, and excessive squeezing dilutes samples. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to adhere to universal precautions for blood handling. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to review hormonal influences on glucose and adjust education accordingly.

3

A 34-year-old client with newly diagnosed diabetes is practicing glucometer technique. The client is taking a beta-blocker (metoprolol) for hypertension, which can mask some hypoglycemia symptoms. Which instruction should the nurse REINFORCE for a client learning to use a glucometer?

Keep test strips unsealed so they are easier to remove quickly

Use lotion on the fingertip before lancing to reduce pain

Milk the finger from tip to base to increase blood flow

Rotate fingerstick sites and use the sides of the fingertip rather than the pad

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety through proper technique to minimize discomfort and ensure accuracy. The key client need is safe self-testing, considering beta-blockers may mask hypoglycemia symptoms. The correct answer, rotating fingerstick sites and using the sides of the fingertip, is the best choice to reduce callus formation and nerve damage while maintaining accuracy. Using lotion before lancing can contaminate the sample, milking the finger introduces inaccuracies, and keeping strips unsealed exposes them to air degradation. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to alternate sites to preserve skin integrity. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to monitor for atypical hypoglycemia signs in clients on masking medications like beta-blockers.

4

A 60-year-old client with type 2 diabetes takes glyburide and metformin. The client skipped breakfast for lab work and now reports sweating, trembling, and irritability; capillary blood glucose is 58 mg/dL. Which symptom indicates the need for IMMEDIATE intervention?

Increased thirst

Trembling and diaphoresis

Frequent urination

Warm, dry skin

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety by recognizing urgent hypoglycemia symptoms in a client with type 2 diabetes. The key assessment finding is a capillary blood glucose of 58 mg/dL with sweating, trembling, and irritability after skipping a meal. The correct answer, trembling and diaphoresis, indicates the need for immediate intervention as these adrenergic symptoms signal severe hypoglycemia that can progress to neuroglycopenia. Warm, dry skin and increased thirst or urination are signs of hyperglycemia, which do not require the same urgency in this low-glucose context. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to intervene immediately for glucose below 70 mg/dL with symptoms to prevent seizures or coma. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to teach clients about medication timing with meals to avoid hypoglycemic episodes.

5

A 76-year-old client with type 2 diabetes takes insulin glargine at bedtime and uses sliding-scale insulin aspart. After eating ice cream and sweet tea, the client reports dry mouth and weakness; capillary blood glucose is 462 mg/dL. The nurse should REPORT which finding to the RN?

Client asks to have glucose checked before breakfast instead of after breakfast

Client requests decaffeinated coffee with dinner

Capillary blood glucose of 462 mg/dL with dry mouth and weakness

Client prefers to use the left hand for fingersticks

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety by prioritizing reporting of critical hyperglycemia in an elderly client. The key assessment finding is a capillary blood glucose of 462 mg/dL with dry mouth and weakness after high-sugar intake. The correct answer, reporting this elevated glucose with symptoms, is the best choice as it signals potential hyperosmolar state requiring RN intervention. Requests to change testing times, hand preferences, or decaffeinated coffee are routine and non-urgent. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to report glucose over 400 mg/dL immediately, especially with dehydration signs. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to educate on low-glycemic alternatives to prevent spikes in vulnerable populations.

6

A 64-year-old client with type 2 diabetes takes insulin glargine and uses correctional insulin lispro. After eating a large portion of rice and sweetened tea, the client reports thirst and blurry vision; capillary blood glucose is 340 mg/dL. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action after obtaining this blood glucose reading?

Give 4 ounces of juice and recheck the glucose in 15 minutes

Delegate the next glucose check to the UAP because insulin has been given before

Hold all insulin for the rest of the day to prevent hypoglycemia

Administer correctional insulin lispro per the ordered sliding scale and reassess the client

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety in correcting hyperglycemia per protocol. The key assessment finding is a capillary blood glucose of 340 mg/dL with thirst and blurry vision after high-carb intake. The correct answer, administering correctional insulin lispro per sliding scale and reassessing, is the best choice to lower glucose safely under standing orders. Holding insulin risks worsening, giving juice is for hypoglycemia, and delegating checks is not the priority action. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to follow evidence-based protocols like sliding scales for adjustments. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to reassess after interventions to evaluate effectiveness and prevent rebound.

7

A 51-year-old client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is learning glucometer use. The client takes hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension, which can increase glucose levels. Which instruction should the nurse REINFORCE for a client learning to use a glucometer?

Record the result with the date, time, and relation to meals (for example, before breakfast)

Store test strips in the bathroom medicine cabinet to keep them convenient

Share lancet devices with family members as long as the lancet is changed

If the meter gives an unexpected result, ignore it and retest at the next scheduled time

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety for accurate record-keeping in a newly diagnosed client with type 2 diabetes. The key client need is proper documentation to track patterns, especially with hydrochlorothiazide's potential to raise glucose. The correct answer, recording the result with date, time, and relation to meals, is the best choice as it provides context for healthcare providers to adjust treatment effectively. Storing strips in the bathroom exposes them to humidity, ignoring unexpected results delays intervention, and sharing lancets risks cross-contamination. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to document contextual factors to identify trends like medication effects. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to review logs during visits to reinforce education on lifestyle impacts.

8

A 45-year-old client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is learning to use a glucometer. The client takes prednisone for asthma exacerbations and reports higher sugars since starting it. Which instruction should the nurse REINFORCE for a client learning to use a glucometer?

Reuse lancets if they look clean to reduce supply costs

Apply alcohol and test before it dries to prevent contamination

Wash hands with warm soapy water and dry completely before testing

Use the first drop of blood after squeezing the fingertip firmly to get a larger sample

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety for a client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes using a glucometer. The key client need is accurate self-monitoring technique, especially considering prednisone's effect on elevating glucose levels. The correct answer, washing hands with warm soapy water and drying completely before testing, is the best choice as it prevents contamination from residues that could skew results and promotes capillary blood flow. Using the first drop after firm squeezing may introduce tissue fluid inaccuracies, applying alcohol without drying can dilute the sample or cause errors, and reusing lancets increases infection risk and is not cost-effective in terms of safety. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to prioritize infection control and accuracy in sample collection to ensure reliable data. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to educate clients on calibrating their glucometer regularly and correlating readings with symptoms for better self-management.

9

A 55-year-old client with type 2 diabetes takes glipizide. The client skipped lunch due to a long meeting and now reports sweating and palpitations; capillary blood glucose is 49 mg/dL. The nurse should REPORT which finding to the RN?

Client asks for a snack after the glucose is treated

Capillary blood glucose of 49 mg/dL with palpitations after skipping lunch

Client prefers to use the same finger each time for testing

Client states they do not like the taste of sugar-free beverages

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety by identifying reportable hypoglycemia in a client with type 2 diabetes. The key assessment finding is a capillary blood glucose of 49 mg/dL with sweating and palpitations after skipping lunch. The correct answer, reporting this low glucose with symptoms, is the best choice as it indicates severe hypoglycemia needing RN oversight. Requests for snacks post-treatment, same-finger use, or disliking sugar-free drinks are non-critical. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to escalate glucose below 50 mg/dL with symptoms promptly. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to advise on meal timing to prevent hypoglycemic risks from oral agents.

10

A 29-year-old pregnant client at 30 weeks with gestational diabetes is monitoring glucose at home and is taking insulin as prescribed. Today the client ate a breakfast of pancakes and syrup and now feels very thirsty and has a headache; capillary blood glucose in clinic is 228 mg/dL. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action after obtaining this blood glucose reading?

Instruct the client to skip the next meal to bring the glucose down

Assess for symptoms of worsening hyperglycemia and notify the RN/provider of the elevated reading in pregnancy

Delegate teaching on carbohydrate counting to the UAP

Administer an extra dose of insulin without an order because the glucose is elevated

Explanation

This question tests blood glucose monitoring and client safety in a pregnant client with gestational diabetes experiencing hyperglycemia. The key client need is prompt assessment and reporting due to the risks of elevated glucose on fetal health during pregnancy. The correct answer, assessing for symptoms of worsening hyperglycemia and notifying the RN/provider, is the best choice as it addresses potential maternal and fetal complications like macrosomia or preeclampsia. Instructing to skip the next meal risks hypoglycemia, administering extra insulin without an order violates scope of practice, and delegating teaching to the UAP is inappropriate for complex education. A decision-making principle in glucose monitoring is to maintain tighter control in pregnancy, with targets often below 140 mg/dL postprandial. A transferable nursing strategy for monitoring blood glucose levels is to encourage consistent carbohydrate counting and logging to optimize insulin adjustments.

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