The nurse cares for a group of clients in a medical surgical unit. The client with which diagnosis and condition requires the most immediate assistance by the nurse?

Question

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Hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]) is the most life-threatening condition listed. It occurs when the proportion of insulin exceeds the glucose in the blood. Counterregulatory hormones (eg, epinephrine) are then released and the autonomic nervous system is activated, causing multiple hypoglycemia-associated symptoms, including increased heart rate, shakiness, sweating, hunger, anxiety, and pallor. The lack of glucose in the brain is also responsible for other symptoms, including disorientation, impaired vision and speech, seizures, and coma. However, most clients respond rapidly to the correction of hypoglycemia. (Options A and B) The client post cholecystectomy with incisional pain and the client reporting nausea after open reduction of the right femur are in need of nursing attention. However, these are not life-threatening problems. (Option D) The client with type 2 diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L), but this is not immediately life-threatening compared to the client with hypoglycemia. Educational objective: Hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]) is a serious condition that occurs when the proportion of insulin exceeds the glucose in the blood. Clients respond rapidly to nursing intervention (eg, sugar tablets, orange juice).

The Nurse Cares for a Group of Clients in a Medical