A child in the pediatric intensive care unit is started on cortisone.When the nurse enters the room to check his blood glucose,the parents are concerned that he is now a diabetic.Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A) "Being critically ill can raise a patient's blood glucose."
B) "I'm sorry; we should have been checking this all along."
C) "Increased blood glucose can be a side effect of steroids."
D) "The doctor is curious about how his glucose levels are."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids have many side effects,including elevated blood glucose levels.When the child is started on them,he should have his glucose levels monitored per facility policy.Being ill can raise blood glucose levels,but this is not the specific reason this child is having them checked.The physician does want to know about the readings,but,again,this reason is not specific to this child.To apologize for not checking the glucose all along is not being truthful.

A Child in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Is Started