Question

The nurse is caring for a client taking prescribed metformin and reports numbness vestion and tingling in the hands and feet. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Explain to the client that these are symptoms of worsening diabeles.
B. Obtain a prescription to check the client's B12 level.
C. Provide a warm blanket and instruct the client to move the estiemities often
D. Notify the health care provider and request to increase the dose of the medication.

Answer 1

The nurse should obtain a prescription to check the client's B12 level when they report numbness and tingling in the hands and feet while taking metformin. This action helps determine if the symptoms are due to a B12 deficiency, a known side effect of metformin.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client taking metformin reports numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet, it is important for the nurse to recognize these symptoms might be related to diabetic neuropathy or a vitamin B12 deficiency that can be caused by metformin. The appropriate action to take would be to obtain a prescription to check the client's B12 level, as this can assist in identifying if the symptoms stem from a deficiency often linked to long-term use of metformin rather than worsening diabetes itself.

It is not advisable to increase the dose of the medication without further assessment, and while a warm blanket and movement may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying cause. Promptly notifying the healthcare provider is always important when new symptoms occur, but suggesting a specific medication change would not be the first action without supporting evidence. Thus, checking for B12 levels is a strong initial step.