Question 1

Which types of insulin can be administered intravenously?

Accepted Answer

Regular insulin is the only insulin product that can be administered intravenously.

Question 2

When should the nurse administer acarbose (Glucobay),an α-glucosidase inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

When an α-glucosidase inhibitor is taken with the first bite of a meal,excessive postprandial blood glucose elevation (a glucose "spike")can be reduced or prevented.

Question 3

A 48-year-old male patient is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on biguanide metformin (Glucophage).He asks the nurse why he needs this drug.The nurse's best explanation of the purpose of the metformin is that it

Accepted Answer

Metformin works by decreasing glucose production by the liver.It may also decrease intestinal absorption of glucose and improve insulin receptor sensitivity.This results in increased peripheral glucose uptake and use and in decreased liver production of triglycerides and cholesterol.

Question 4

A patient has just been prescribed insulin.
What should the nurse tell this patient to do to take the insulin correctly?

Accepted Answer

When mixing insulins,the regular insulin should always be drawn up into the syringe first.Patients taking insulin should always rotate the injection sites and should notify their physician if they become ill.

Question 5

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations:
-Regular insulin

Accepted Answer

Regular insulin is classified as short-acting insulin, which typically starts to work within 30 minutes to 1 hour and has a peak effect 2 to 4 hours after administration, lasting 5 to 8 hours in total.

Question 6

A patient with type 2 diabetes self-administers insulin injections as part of therapy.What should the nurse tell this patient to do if she has hypoglycemia?

Accepted Answer

Hypoglycemia can be reversed if the patient uses glucagon.The patient can take glucose tablets (liquid or gel),corn syrup,or honey; drink fruit juice or a nondiet soft drink; or eat a small snack,such as crackers or half a sandwich.

Question 7

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations:
-Glargine insulin

Accepted Answer

Glargine insulin is a long-acting insulin that works over 24 hours to provide a steady basal insulin level. It has no pronounced peak of action and is typically used once daily.

Question 8

A 75-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has recently been placed on glyburide (DiaBeta)10 mg daily.When is the best time to take this medication?

Accepted Answer

The medication should be taken in the morning with breakfast to prevent hypoglycemia at night.

Question 9

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations:
-Aspart insulin

Accepted Answer

Aspart insulin is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 5 minutes of injection and peaks in about 1 hour. It has a duration of action of around 3-5 hours. Therefore, it is used to control postprandial hyperglycemia and for correction of blood sugar levels.

Question 10

A patient who has type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a laparoscopy and has been NPO (nil per os [taking nothing by mouth])since midnight.The patient is concerned about having to hold the medication.What is the best action for the nurse to take regarding the administration of the patient's oral antidiabetic drug?

Accepted Answer

When a patient with diabetes is NPO,the physician should be contacted for further orders regarding the administration of the oral antidiabetic drugs.

Question 11

A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)and type 2 diabetes has been treated for pneumonia for the past week.He has been receiving corticosteroids intravenously and antibiotics as part of his therapy.His pneumonia has resolved,but when the nurse monitors his blood glucose levels,his blood glucose is still elevated and he requires small amounts of sliding scale insulin coverage.What is the best explanation for this elevation?

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids can antagonize the hypoglycemic effects of insulin,resulting in elevated blood glucose levels.

Question 12

Which is a true statement about Humulin-N insulin?

Accepted Answer

Humulin-N insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin.

Question 13

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-injection of insulin.
What should the nurse tell the patient to do regarding injection sites?

Accepted Answer

Patients taking insulin injections should be instructed to rotate sites within the same location for about 1 week.That is,all injections should be rotated in one area,such as the right arm,for about 1 week before rotating to a new location,such as the left arm,the following week.Each injection should be at least 1.25 to 2.5 cm away from the previous site.

Question 14

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations:
-NPH insulin

Accepted Answer

NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin.

Question 15

What early signs of hypoglycemia should the nurse should tell the patient about?

Accepted Answer

Irritability and confusion are early signs of hypoglycemia.

Question 16

When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient,the nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa drugs.The patient has an order for sulfonylurea gliclazide (Diamicron).What is the best action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

There is an increased risk of cross-allergy when a patient who is allergic to sulfa drugs takes a sulfonylurea drug for diabetes.Therefore,the drug should be held and the order checked with the physician.

Question 17

A patient has been prescribed a rapid-acting insulin,such as insulin lispro.What important information should the nurse give this patient about taking this type of insulin?

Accepted Answer

Rapid-acting insulins such as insulin lispro and insulin aspart are able to more closely mimic the body's natural rapid insulin output after a meal.For this reason,both are usually dosed within 15 minutes of beginning a meal.

Question 18

Six months after starting treatment for type 2 diabetes,a patient has a follow-up examination.Which laboratory test will best reflect the patient's adherence to the antidiabetic therapy over the past few months?

Accepted Answer

The hemoglobin A_1C level reflects the patient's adherence to the therapy regimen for several months previously,thus evaluating the patient's progress with diet and drug therapy.

Question 19

Which is a true statement regarding acarbose,a glucose-elevating drug?

Accepted Answer

Acarbose (Glucobay)is the only available a-glucosidase inhibitor.Acarbose works by blunting the elevation of blood glucose levels after a meal.

Quiz 33: Antidiabetic Drugs

Which types of insulin can be administered intravenously?

When should the nurse administer acarbose (Glucobay) ,an α-glucosidase inhibitor?

A 48-year-old male patient is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on biguanide metformin (Glucophage) .He asks the nurse why he needs this drug.The nurse's best explanation of the purpose of the metformin is that it

A patient has just been prescribed insulin. What should the nurse tell this patient to do to take the insulin correctly?

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations: -Regular insulin

A patient with type 2 diabetes self-administers insulin injections as part of therapy.What should the nurse tell this patient to do if she has hypoglycemia?

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations: -Glargine insulin

A 75-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has recently been placed on glyburide (DiaBeta) 10 mg daily.When is the best time to take this medication?

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations: -Aspart insulin

Which is a true statement about Humulin-N insulin?

The nurse is teaching a patient about self-injection of insulin. What should the nurse tell the patient to do regarding injection sites?

For each insulin product listed below, identify the type of action by using these designations: -NPH insulin

What early signs of hypoglycemia should the nurse should tell the patient about?

When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient,the nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa drugs.The patient has an order for sulfonylurea gliclazide (Diamicron) .What is the best action for the nurse to take?

A patient has been prescribed a rapid-acting insulin,such as insulin lispro.What important information should the nurse give this patient about taking this type of insulin?

Six months after starting treatment for type 2 diabetes,a patient has a follow-up examination.Which laboratory test will best reflect the patient's adherence to the antidiabetic therapy over the past few months?

Which is a true statement regarding acarbose,a glucose-elevating drug?