Final answer:
In addition to glucose, the most important laboratory value to monitor during an insulin infusion for a client with diabetes mellitus experiencing hyperglycemia is the potassium level, due to the risk of hypokalemia caused by insulin administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing hyperglycemic symptoms and is receiving an insulin infusion, the most important laboratory value for the nurse to monitor, in addition to the client's glucose level, is the potassium level. Insulin administration can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) because insulin promotes the uptake of potassium into cells along with glucose. Monitoring the potassium level is crucial as severe hypokalemia can be life-threatening and may affect the heart and muscles.
During the management of diabetes mellitus, especially when hyperglycemia is present, the glucose levels in the blood may exceed more than 180 mg/100 ml, which is beyond the renal threshold, leading to glucosuria. If the insulin dose is too high during treatment, it may cause hypoglycemia, and accordingly, the dose must be adjusted.
Moreover, since insulin plays a key role in the regulation of blood glucose levels by aiding the uptake of glucose by the cells, the effectiveness of insulin therapy should be assessed with insulin tolerance tests, where insulin responsiveness is determined. This test is particularly important for the management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).