Pretest
For an unconscious patient who is experiencing hypoglycemia in a health care facility,
the nurse would make what emergency management intervention?
a) 25 to 50 mL of dextrose 50% in water
b) 2 to 3 teaspoons of honey
c) IV bolus of 500mL D5W over 30 minutes
d) Glucagon 10 mg IM - CORRECT ANSWER-a) 25 to 50 mL of dextrose 50% in water
Rationale:In hospitals and emergency departments, for patients who are unconscious or
cannot swallow, 25 to 50 mL of dextrose 50% in water (D50W) may be administered IV.
Remediation:
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 14th Edition, p. 1482
The nurse would expect that a patient experiencing moderate hypoglycemia would
exhibit which of the following sets of signs and symptoms?
a) Bradycardia, polyuria, acidosis
b) Double vision, cool dry skin
c) Hyperactivity, tachycardia, anorexia
d) Headache, light headedness, slurred speech - CORRECT ANSWER-d) Headache,
light headedness, slurred speech
Rationale:The clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia may be grouped into two
categories: adrenergic symptoms and central nervous system symptoms. In moderate
hypoglycemia, the drop in blood glucose affects the brain, resulting in headache, light
headedness, and slurred speech, as well as other symptoms that may include loss of
consciousness, hunger, tachycardia, and sweating.
Remediation:
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 14th Edition, p. 1482
The nurse understands that the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes is characterized by
which of the following?
a) Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
b) Insulin resistance
c) Necrosis of pancreatic alpha cells
d) Impaired insulin production - CORRECT ANSWER-a) Destruction of pancreatic beta
cells
Rationale:Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of the pancreatic beta
cells which are responsible for the secretion of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the result of