Question

The patient with HHS presented with a glucose level of 800 mg/dL and is started on IV fluids and insulin. What action do you anticipate when the patient's glucose reaches 250 mg/dL?

A. Administer an intravenous (IV) solution with 5% dextrose.
B. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfate (Kayexalate).
C. Slow the IV infusion rate to 40 mL/hour.
D. Assess cardiac monitoring for peaked T waves.

Answer 1

When the glucose level drops to 250 mg/dL in a patient with HHS, the action anticipated is to administer an intravenous solution with 5% dextrose to prevent hypoglycemia and stabilize blood glucose levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient with Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) presents with a glucose level of 800 mg/dL and is treated with IV fluids and insulin, the anticipation upon reaching a glucose level of 250 mg/dL is to administer an intravenous (IV) solution with 5% dextrose. This is to prevent hypoglycemia as a result of the insulin therapy and to gradually normalize blood glucose levels. Options such as administering sodium polystyrene sulfate (Kayexalate), slowing the IV infusion rate to 40 mL/hour, or assessing cardiac monitoring for peaked T waves are not directly related to the immediate management of HHS when glucose levels reach 250 mg/dL.