The nurse should instruct a diabetes mellitus client on sick days to continue taking their medications as normal, monitor their blood glucose levels more frequently, stay well-hydrated, and maintain their regular eating schedule.
A nurse advising a client with diabetes mellitus about "sick day rules" should recount important management steps to handle illness periods, which can influence blood glucose levels. The nurse should instruct the client to continue taking diabetes medications as they would on a typical day unless advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. It is essential to monitor glucose levels more frequently during sickness, as illness can unexpectedly alter blood sugar levels.
Additionally, the client should be advised to stay well-hydrated and maintain regular eating schedules if possible, to ensure stability in blood glucose levels. Adjusting insulin without consulting a healthcare provider is not recommended. Instead, the client should work closely with their diabetes care team to make informed decisions on medication adjustments during sick days.