Question

An older adult woman is seen in the clinic 3 months following her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). She tells the nurse that she has had a difficult time keeping her blood sugar in control. The nurse reviews the client's current finger-stick and daily log of blood glucose levels. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Answer 1

The nurse should review the client's blood glucose records to identify factors contributing to difficulty in blood sugar control and develop a tailored plan. The nurse should also assess the client's understanding, provide education, and offer ongoing support.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important intervention for the nurse to implement in this situation is to review the client's current finger-stick and daily log of blood glucose levels. By assessing these records, the nurse can identify any patterns or trends in the client's blood sugar control and make appropriate recommendations for adjustments in their management plan.

The nurse can analyze the blood glucose levels and identify potential factors contributing to the difficulty in maintaining control, such as inadequate medication dosage, improper timing of medication or meals, or excessive intake of carbohydrates. Based on the findings, the nurse can then collaborate with the client and other healthcare professionals to develop a tailored plan that addresses these issues and provides strategies for better blood sugar management.

In addition to reviewing the blood glucose records, the nurse should also assess the client's understanding of diabetes self-management, provide education on proper medication administration and lifestyle modifications, and offer ongoing support and guidance to help the client achieve optimal blood sugar control.