Question

The nurse has been assigned the following patients. Which patients require assessment of blood glucose control as a nursing priority? (Select all that apply.)

a. 18-year-old male who has undergone surgical correction of a fractured femur
b. 29-year-old female who is undergoing evaluation for pheochromocytoma
c. 43-year-old male with acute pancreatitis who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
d. 62-year-old morbidly obese female who underwent a hysterectomy for ovarian cancer
e. 72-year-old female who is receiving intravenous (IV) steroids for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer 1

Blood glucose control should be assessed for the 43-year-old on TPN due to the risk of hyperglycemia, the 62-year-old morbidly obese female due to heightened risk of diabetes, and the 72-year-old on IV steroids due to steroids' effect on increasing blood glucose levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prioritize assessment of blood glucose control for the following patients:

• 43-year-old male with acute pancreatitis who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN can affect blood glucose levels because it is a concentrated glucose solution that can cause hyperglycemia, hence blood glucose monitoring is essential.
• 62-year-old morbidly obese female who underwent a hysterectomy for ovarian cancer. Obesity is a risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. As blood glucose levels spike more rapidly and take longer to return to normal in the elderly, this patient requires careful monitoring.
• 72-year-old female who is receiving intravenous (IV) steroids for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Steroids can increase blood glucose levels due to their gluconeogenic effects, thus necessitating frequent blood glucose level checks.