The school nurse is caring for 4 clients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of these clients should the nurse assess first?

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11ecbb05_ca9d_9c67_b433_cb6a83e95a3f_MD0009_00 Hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]) presents an immediate danger to the client as life-threatening neurologic impairment (eg, lethargy, seizures, coma) can occur when the brain becomes glucose depleted. If a client with diabetes has symptoms of hypoglycemia (eg, sweating, irritability, tremor, tachycardia, hunger), the nurse should immediately assess the client, check capillary blood glucose, and provide a simple carbohydrate snack that can be digested rapidly (eg, juice, soft drink, candy) (Option C). (Option A) A client with blood glucose of 71 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) should be monitored for hypoglycemia; blood glucose should be reassessed within 30 minutes. However, a client displaying symptoms of hypoglycemia should be assessed first. (Option B) Skipping a meal could cause a client with diabetes to become hypoglycemic. The nurse should assess the client and redirect the client to eat; however, this client is not the highest priority. (Option D) Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting (basal) insulin with a duration of 24 hours. It has no peak and is not used to correct acute hyperglycemic events. This medication should be given as close to the scheduled time as possible, but this client does not take priority over a client with symptomatic hypoglycemia. Educational objective: A client with symptoms of hypoglycemia (eg, sweating, irritability, tremor, tachycardia, hunger) should be assessed immediately. Without treatment, hypoglycemia may progress to life-threatening neurologic impairment (eg, lethargy, seizures, coma) as the brain becomes glucose depleted.

The School Nurse Is Caring for 4 Clients with Type