LPN Diabetes Care: Glucose and Insulin 2

Question 1

A patient with type 2 diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 58 mg/dL and reports feeling shaky and sweating. What is the LPN's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes

Answer

Administer scheduled insulin dose immediately

Answer

Call the physician before giving anything by mouth

Answer

Offer a full meal and recheck glucose in one hour

Question 2

Insulin glargine (Lantus) is prescribed for a diabetic patient. Which statement about this insulin is correct?

Accepted Answer

It should never be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe

Answer

It has a peak action at 4–6 hours after injection

Answer

It is the preferred insulin for treating acute hypoglycemia

Answer

It must be administered 30 minutes before meals

Question 3

Which injection site allows the fastest absorption of subcutaneous insulin?

Accepted Answer

Abdomen

Answer

Outer thigh

Answer

Upper arm

Answer

Buttocks

Question 4

A nurse is teaching a patient how to store an opened vial of regular insulin. Which instruction is correct?

Accepted Answer

Keep it at room temperature for up to 28–30 days

Answer

Refrigerate immediately after every use

Answer

Discard after 7 days once opened

Answer

Freeze to extend shelf life beyond the expiration date

Question 5

A patient on NPH insulin asks why their glucose tends to drop around 2–4 AM. What is the best explanation?

Accepted Answer

NPH peaks 6–12 hours after injection, coinciding with nighttime if given at dinner

Answer

Nighttime exercise increases insulin sensitivity

Answer

Liver glycogen is depleted during sleep

Answer

Basal metabolic rate drops to zero during deep sleep

Question 6

Which of the following is a sign of hyperglycemia that an LPN should report to the supervising nurse or physician?

Accepted Answer

Polyuria, polydipsia, and blurred vision

Answer

Diaphoresis, tremors, and pallor

Answer

Bradycardia and hypotension

Answer

Pinpoint pupils and bradypnea

Question 7

When drawing up a combined dose of regular and NPH insulin, in which order should the nurse proceed?

Accepted Answer

Inject air into NPH vial, then regular; draw regular first, then NPH

Answer

Draw NPH first, then add regular to the same syringe

Answer

Mix them in a separate cup before drawing into the syringe

Answer

Inject air into regular vial, then NPH; draw NPH first, then regular