Final answer:
The nurse provides graham crackers and milk to a patient experiencing hypoglycemia after insulin administration because these food items help to quickly raise and then stabilize the patient's blood glucose levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient who received 10 units of regular insulin and is experiencing symptoms like sweating (diaphoretic) and shakiness likely has hypoglycemia, a condition where there is a lower than normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin injections can potentially lower blood glucose levels, which is necessary when managing high blood sugar levels after a meal. If too much insulin is administered, or if the person has not eaten enough food to match the insulin dose, blood glucose levels can drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia.
To treat mild hypoglycemia, it is recommended to consume a quick source of sugar and a longer-lasting carbohydrate. Therefore, a nurse would provide graham crackers and milk as they contain carbohydrates and sugar that can help to raise blood glucose levels back to a safer range. The milk also contains protein, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent them from dropping again quickly.
As for the reference information provided, it offers an understanding of how insulin injections function to regulate blood sugar by allowing for storage and transport of glucose. It also mentions a condition called hyperinsulinism, which relates to an excessive production of insulin, and symptoms such as hypoglycemia related to it.