The nurse monitors the blood glucose levels of a patient being treated with insulin for diabetic ketoacidosis. Why should the nurse ensure glucose levels decline at the rate of 50-70 mg/dL/hour?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. Dehydration is caused by hyperglycemia and osmotic diuresis rather than the infusion of insulin.
2. Rapidly dropping glucose does not result in metabolic alkalosis.
3. A rapid shift in potassium from the serum into the intracellular compartment may result because IV insulin facilitates the transport of glucose into the cells. This rapid electrolyte shift can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias as a result of hypokalemia.
4. Rapidly dropping glucose does not cause the formation of thromboses.

The Nurse Monitors the Blood Glucose Levels of a Patient