Editing Medical-Surgical Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 5==
A patient with type 1 diabetes is alert and able to swallow and reports feeling shaky and sweaty. The fingerstick glucose is 54 mg/dL. What should the licensed practical nurse do first?
# Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate such as 4 ounces of juice.
# Give the scheduled dose of rapid-acting insulin.
# Have the patient lie down and recheck the glucose in one hour.
# Notify the registered nurse and wait for further direction before acting.

'''Answer:''' Option 1, give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.

''Rationale:'' Treating symptomatic hypoglycemia in a conscious patient who can swallow is standard, expected care within the practical nurse's scope. The nurse gives 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, rechecks the glucose in 15 minutes, repeats if still low, and then reports. Option 2 would worsen the hypoglycemia and is dangerous. Option 3 delays treatment far too long. Option 4 delays urgent, well-established care; the nurse treats and then reports.