,ASU NUR 325 Exam 2 | Health and Illness Concepts I
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about glucose regulation. Which statement by the
patient indicates an accurate understanding of euglycemia?
A) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 70 and 140 mg/dL."
B) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL."
C) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is above 180 mg/dL."
D) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 50 and 70 mg/dL."
Correct Answer: "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 70 and 140 mg/dL."
Rationale: Euglycemia refers to normal blood glucose levels, which typically range
from 70 to 140 mg/dL. This range represents optimal blood glucose control and is
the target for most patients. Levels below 70 indicate hypoglycemia, and levels above
140 may indicate hyperglycemia.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and
polyphagia. The nurse recognizes these manifestations are most consistent with:
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Euglycemia
D) Diabetic ketoacidosis only
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: The classic "three Ps" of hyperglycemia are polyuria (excessive urination),
polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). These occur because
,high blood glucose draws water into the urine, causing dehydration and hunger.
Hypoglycemia presents with diaphoresis, shakiness, and confusion, not the three Ps.
3. A patient presents with diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. The nurse should first:
A) Administer insulin.
B) Check the patient's blood glucose level.
C) Give the patient a meal.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: Check the patient's blood glucose level.
Rationale: Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion are classic signs of hypoglycemia.
The priority action is to check the blood glucose level to confirm hypoglycemia
before initiating treatment. Administering insulin would worsen the condition, and
giving a meal without confirming the glucose level could be unsafe.
4. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL and is unconscious.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates orally.
B) Administer glucagon intramuscularly.
C) Administer 50% dextrose IV push.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: Administer 50% dextrose IV push.
Rationale: For an unconscious patient with severe hypoglycemia, the priority is to
rapidly restore blood glucose. If IV access is available, 50% dextrose IV push is the
preferred treatment. Glucagon is used when IV access is not available. Oral
carbohydrates cannot be given to an unconscious patient.
, 5. Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A) Warm, moist skin
B) Fruity breath odor
C) Cool, clammy skin
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing cool,
clammy skin, shakiness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Warm, moist skin and fruity
breath are signs of hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Polyuria and polydipsia
are classic signs of hyperglycemia.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with hyperglycemia. Which respiratory pattern would
the nurse expect to observe?
A) Bradypnea
B) Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C) Kussmaul respirations
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored breathing patterns
seen in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as the body attempts to blow off
excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis. This respiratory pattern is a
compensatory mechanism for the acidosis associated with severe hyperglycemia.
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about glucose regulation. Which statement by the
patient indicates an accurate understanding of euglycemia?
A) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 70 and 140 mg/dL."
B) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL."
C) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is above 180 mg/dL."
D) "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 50 and 70 mg/dL."
Correct Answer: "Euglycemia means my blood sugar is between 70 and 140 mg/dL."
Rationale: Euglycemia refers to normal blood glucose levels, which typically range
from 70 to 140 mg/dL. This range represents optimal blood glucose control and is
the target for most patients. Levels below 70 indicate hypoglycemia, and levels above
140 may indicate hyperglycemia.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and
polyphagia. The nurse recognizes these manifestations are most consistent with:
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Euglycemia
D) Diabetic ketoacidosis only
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: The classic "three Ps" of hyperglycemia are polyuria (excessive urination),
polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). These occur because
,high blood glucose draws water into the urine, causing dehydration and hunger.
Hypoglycemia presents with diaphoresis, shakiness, and confusion, not the three Ps.
3. A patient presents with diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. The nurse should first:
A) Administer insulin.
B) Check the patient's blood glucose level.
C) Give the patient a meal.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: Check the patient's blood glucose level.
Rationale: Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion are classic signs of hypoglycemia.
The priority action is to check the blood glucose level to confirm hypoglycemia
before initiating treatment. Administering insulin would worsen the condition, and
giving a meal without confirming the glucose level could be unsafe.
4. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL and is unconscious.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates orally.
B) Administer glucagon intramuscularly.
C) Administer 50% dextrose IV push.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: Administer 50% dextrose IV push.
Rationale: For an unconscious patient with severe hypoglycemia, the priority is to
rapidly restore blood glucose. If IV access is available, 50% dextrose IV push is the
preferred treatment. Glucagon is used when IV access is not available. Oral
carbohydrates cannot be given to an unconscious patient.
, 5. Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A) Warm, moist skin
B) Fruity breath odor
C) Cool, clammy skin
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing cool,
clammy skin, shakiness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Warm, moist skin and fruity
breath are signs of hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Polyuria and polydipsia
are classic signs of hyperglycemia.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with hyperglycemia. Which respiratory pattern would
the nurse expect to observe?
A) Bradypnea
B) Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C) Kussmaul respirations
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored breathing patterns
seen in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as the body attempts to blow off
excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis. This respiratory pattern is a
compensatory mechanism for the acidosis associated with severe hyperglycemia.
