Question

A hospitalized patient with diabetes tells the nurse, "I don't understand why I can keep my blood sugar under control at home with diet alone, but when I get sick, my blood sugar goes up. This is so frustrating." Which response by the nurse is accurate?

a. "The liver is not able to metabolize glucose as well during stressful times."
b. "Your diet at the hospital is the most likely cause of the increased glucose."
c. "The stress of illness causes release of hormones that increase blood glucose."
d. "It is probably coincidental that your blood glucose is higher when you are ill."

Answer 1

The correct option is (c)."The stress of illness causes the release of hormones that increase blood glucose."The stress of illness leads to the release of hormones such as glucagon and cortisol that raise blood glucose levels as a natural response to provide energy to combat the stressor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The accurate response to the patient with diabetes who is experiencing increased blood glucose levels during illness would be: When a person is ill, the body undergoes stress, and this stress can trigger the release of hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine. These hormones work to increase blood glucose by stimulating the liver to produce more glucose and inhibiting the uptake of glucose into the cells.

Additionally, as these hormones counteract the effects of insulin, even if the pancreas is producing insulin (as in some cases of Type 2 diabetes), it may not be as effective in controlling blood glucose levels. In the absence or insufficiency of insulin (as in Type 1 diabetes), the situation is exacerbated. This result is a natural response to illness intended to provide the body with readily available energy to combat the stressor. It is not due to the diet in the hospital or coincidental.