Question

The nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus. The client reports feeling hungry and thirsty. The client's most recent blood glucose level was 175 mg/dL. Which type of insulin should the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this client?

A
Exenatide
B
Glucagon
C
Sitagliptin
D
Lispro

Answer 1

For a patient with diabetes mellitus and blood glucose level of 175 mg/dL, Lispro (option D) , a rapid-acting insulin, is expected to be prescribed to manage postprandial hyperglycemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

Choosing the Appropriate Insulin for a Diabetic Patient

For a client with diabetes mellitus reporting hunger and thirst with a blood glucose level of 175 mg/dL, the nurse should anticipate the prescription of a rapid-acting insulin. Among the options listed, Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin analog and would be appropriate to address hyperglycemia postprandially (after mealtime). Other options like Exenatide, Glucagon, and Sitagliptin have different roles: Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia by raising blood glucose levels, and Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor primarily used as an adjunct treatment in type 2 diabetes.

Lispro insulin begins to work rapidly and is usually taken shortly before a meal to cover the blood glucose elevation from eating. This would help in adjusting the patient's blood glucose levels that are currently slightly elevated beyond the normal fasting range but not significantly high. However, the ultimate treatment decision should be based on the patient's overall medical condition, type of diabetes, blood glucose patterns, and a physician's clinical judgment.