Question

A client with type 1 diabetes has prescriptions for NPH insulin and regular insulin. At 7:30 AM, the client's blood glucose level is 322 mg/dL. The nurse expects the client's breakfast to arrive before 8 AM. What action should the nurse take?

a) Administer the NPH insulin as prescribed.
b) Administer the regular insulin as prescribed.
c) Withhold both insulins until after breakfast.
d) Administer both insulins immediately.

Answer 1

The correct action for a client with type 1 diabetes and a blood glucose level of 322 mg/dL is to administer both NPH and regular insulin immediately to manage the elevated blood sugar before a meal.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with type 1 diabetes and a blood glucose level of 322 mg/dL should receive an insulin injection to bring that level down, especially before a meal when blood glucose levels are expected to rise even further. The appropriate course of action would be to administer both NPH insulin and regular insulin as prescribed (d) Administer both insulins immediately). NPH insulin has an intermediate-acting effect, while regular insulin is short-acting and should be administered 30 minutes before a meal to effectively lower blood glucose levels resulting from the meal. Withholding insulin could lead to even higher blood glucose levels and administering only one type of insulin could be insufficient in managing a blood glucose level as high as 322 mg/dL. Therefore, option d) is the most appropriate to manage the client's condition.