FREE LPN Diabetes Care: Glucose and Insulin Questions and Answers

Question 1

An LPN is preparing to administer a mixture of regular insulin and NPH insulin. What is the correct procedure for drawing up the insulins?

Accepted Answer

Draw up the regular insulin, then the NPH insulin in the same syringe.

Answer

When mixing insulins, the clear (short-acting, like Regular) insulin should be drawn up before the cloudy (intermediate-acting, like NPH) insulin. This prevents contaminating the short-acting insulin vial with the intermediate-acting insulin. The mnemonic 'clear before cloudy' is helpful.

Question 2

A client with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky, dizzy, and diaphoretic. The LPN checks the client's blood glucose, which is 58 mg/dL. The client is conscious and able to swallow. What is the LPN's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Provide the client with 4 oz of orange juice.

Answer

The client is experiencing hypoglycemia. The priority for a conscious client is to provide a fast-acting carbohydrate to raise blood glucose levels quickly. The 'rule of 15' suggests giving 15 grams of a simple carbohydrate, such as 4 oz (120 mL) of juice or regular soda, and rechecking blood glucose in 15 minutes.

Question 3

When reinforcing teaching about insulin injection site rotation, what is the best instruction for the LPN to provide?

Accepted Answer

Rotate sites within one area before moving to a new area.

Answer

To ensure consistent insulin absorption and prevent lipodystrophy (changes in subcutaneous fat), clients should rotate injection sites within one anatomical area (e.g., the abdomen) for about a week before moving to a new area (e.g., the thigh). Using the same exact spot repeatedly can cause tissue damage.

Question 4

A client is prescribed rapid-acting insulin (lispro) on a sliding scale to be administered before meals. The LPN should administer the insulin at what time?

Accepted Answer

No more than 15 minutes before the meal begins

Answer

Rapid-acting insulins, like lispro, aspart, and glulisine, have a very fast onset of action (10-15 minutes). They should be administered shortly before meals (within 15 minutes) to coincide with the rise in blood glucose from food intake.

Question 5

An LPN is obtaining a capillary blood glucose sample from a client's fingertip. Which technique is correct?

Accepted Answer

Puncture the side of the fingertip.

Answer

The sides of the fingertips have fewer nerve endings and are more vascular than the center pad, making the puncture less painful and yielding a better blood sample. The first drop of blood should be wiped away as it may be contaminated with tissue fluid.

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Test

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Test

FREE LPN Diabetes Care: Glucose and Insulin Questions and Answers