Question

A 45-year-old female client with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus presents for routine dental hygiene care. When you review and update her health history, she states she has been very thirsty all day and has been eating foods she should avoid. She has also decreased her insulin dose because she has not been feeling well for several days. Which of the following actions should be taken first?

Answer 1

For a patient with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes and symptoms indicating a possible diabetic emergency, it’s critical to first assess her immediate medical needs, check her blood glucose, and advise urgent medical care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial action to take for a 45-year-old female client with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with excessive thirst and a history of eating inappropriate foods while reducing her insulin dosage is to assess her immediate medical needs. Symptoms of excessive thirst, hunger, and changes in her medication routine could signify a potential diabetic emergency. As a healthcare provider, the foremost priority is to stabilize her condition.

This may involve checking her current blood glucose level and perhaps suggesting that she seek immediate medical attention, as alterations in insulin dosage and dietary habits indicating poor management of her diabetes could lead to severe hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.