Questions #4: Diabetes (NSG-3230) Exam
With Correct Answers
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the
following findings has the greatest effect on fluid loss?
a) Hypotension
b) Decreased serum potassium level
c) Rapid, deep respirations
d) warm, dry skin - ANSWER c
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has influenza. The nurse should instruct the
patient to:
a) Increase the frequency of self-monitoring (blood glucose taking)
b) Reduce food intake to diminish nausea
c) Discontinue that dose of insulin if unable to eat
d) Take half the normal dose of insulin - ANSWER a
The nurse is assessing the patients' use of medications. Which of the following
medications may cause a complication with the treatment plan of a patient with
diabetes?
a) Asprin
b) Steroids
c) Sulfonylureas
d) ACE Inhibitors - ANSWER b (steroids can cause hyperglycemia because of their
effect on carbohydrate metabolism, making diabetic control more difficult)
A nurse enters the room of a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and finds the patient
difficult to arouse. The patient's skin is warm and flushed and the pulse and respiratory
rate are increased from the patient's baseline. The nurse would first:
a) Give the patient 4oz of orange juice
b) Administer a bolus dose of 50% dextrose
c) Check the patients' capillary blood glucose
, d) Prepare an IV insulin infusion - ANSWER c (bc the patients s/s are consistent with
hyperglycemia)
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 620 mg/dl (34.4
mmol/L). After the nurse calls the physician to report the finding and monitors the
patient closely for:
a) Metabolic acidosis
b) Metabolic alkalosis
c) Respiratory acidosis
d) Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER Metabolic acidosis (diabetes mellitus can lead to
metabolic acidosis OR aka diabetic ketoacidosis)
A nurse is teaching a patient how to mix regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe.
The nurse tells the patient to:
a) Shake the NPH insulin bottle before mixing the two types
b) Draw the regular insulin into the syringe first
c) Remove all of the air from the bottle before mixing the two types
d) Keep insulin refrigerated at all times - ANSWER b
Glargine insulin (Lantus) is prescribed for a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus. What
does the nurse tell the patient about this type of insulin? (Select all that apply):
a) It does not have a peak effect
b) It is usually given once daily
c) It usually has a 24-hour duration of action
d) It may be mixed in a syringe with regular insulin
e) Its onset of action comes 5 hours after administration - ANSWER a, b, & c
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized child with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus
who received NPH and regular humulin insulin at 0730 am. At 11am, the child suddenly
complains of dizziness, headache, and a shaky feeling. The nurse immediately:
a) Contact the physician
b) Gives the child milk to drink
c) Arranges to have the child's lunch tray delivered early
d) Prepares to administer intravenous 5% dextrose solution - ANSWER b (s/s of
hypoglycemia)
With Correct Answers
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the
following findings has the greatest effect on fluid loss?
a) Hypotension
b) Decreased serum potassium level
c) Rapid, deep respirations
d) warm, dry skin - ANSWER c
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has influenza. The nurse should instruct the
patient to:
a) Increase the frequency of self-monitoring (blood glucose taking)
b) Reduce food intake to diminish nausea
c) Discontinue that dose of insulin if unable to eat
d) Take half the normal dose of insulin - ANSWER a
The nurse is assessing the patients' use of medications. Which of the following
medications may cause a complication with the treatment plan of a patient with
diabetes?
a) Asprin
b) Steroids
c) Sulfonylureas
d) ACE Inhibitors - ANSWER b (steroids can cause hyperglycemia because of their
effect on carbohydrate metabolism, making diabetic control more difficult)
A nurse enters the room of a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and finds the patient
difficult to arouse. The patient's skin is warm and flushed and the pulse and respiratory
rate are increased from the patient's baseline. The nurse would first:
a) Give the patient 4oz of orange juice
b) Administer a bolus dose of 50% dextrose
c) Check the patients' capillary blood glucose
, d) Prepare an IV insulin infusion - ANSWER c (bc the patients s/s are consistent with
hyperglycemia)
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 620 mg/dl (34.4
mmol/L). After the nurse calls the physician to report the finding and monitors the
patient closely for:
a) Metabolic acidosis
b) Metabolic alkalosis
c) Respiratory acidosis
d) Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER Metabolic acidosis (diabetes mellitus can lead to
metabolic acidosis OR aka diabetic ketoacidosis)
A nurse is teaching a patient how to mix regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe.
The nurse tells the patient to:
a) Shake the NPH insulin bottle before mixing the two types
b) Draw the regular insulin into the syringe first
c) Remove all of the air from the bottle before mixing the two types
d) Keep insulin refrigerated at all times - ANSWER b
Glargine insulin (Lantus) is prescribed for a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus. What
does the nurse tell the patient about this type of insulin? (Select all that apply):
a) It does not have a peak effect
b) It is usually given once daily
c) It usually has a 24-hour duration of action
d) It may be mixed in a syringe with regular insulin
e) Its onset of action comes 5 hours after administration - ANSWER a, b, & c
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized child with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus
who received NPH and regular humulin insulin at 0730 am. At 11am, the child suddenly
complains of dizziness, headache, and a shaky feeling. The nurse immediately:
a) Contact the physician
b) Gives the child milk to drink
c) Arranges to have the child's lunch tray delivered early
d) Prepares to administer intravenous 5% dextrose solution - ANSWER b (s/s of
hypoglycemia)
