Diabetes

Question 1

1. An type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic reports recurrent hypoglycemia late in the morning. After collecting his health history what finding would the nurse suspect is causing the late morning hypoglycemia?

A) The patient likes to nap after work before his evening meal.
B) The patient jogs 2 miles in the morning before he goes to work.
C) The patient likes to have an early lunch with his girlfriend.
D) The patient eats oatmeal early in the morning for breakfast.

Answer 1

B

Feedback:
Physical exercise, such as jogging, changes insulin requirements and may result in a delayed hypoglycemic reaction. The fact that he likes to nap before dinner and has an early lunch is unrelated to his hypoglycemia. The patient eating oatmeal early in the morning would help stabilize his blood sugars until later in the morning, but the jogging would have a dramatic effect.

Question 2

The nurse suspects the diabetic patient may be having a hypoglycemic reaction when what manifestation is assessed?

A) Dry, flaky skin
B) Diaphoresis
C) Flushing of the face
D) Fruity breath

Answer 2

B

Diaphoresis and cool clammy skin are signs of hypoglycemia. A fruity breath is seen with ketoacidosis. Flushing of the face is associated with hyperglycemia.

Question 3

What type of insulin would the nurse administer if the fastest therapeutic effects are needed?

A) Lispro (Humalog)
B) Aspart (NovoLog)
C) Regular (Humulin R)

Answer 3

a lispro

Glulisine has an onset of 2 to 5 minutes and peaks in 30 to 90 minutes so it has the fastest onset of action. Lispro has an onset in <15 minutes and also peaks at 30 to 90 minutes. Aspart takes 10 to 20 minutes for onset and peeks in 1 to 3 hours. Regular insulin has a 30 to 60 minute onset and peaks in 2 to 4 hours.

Question 4

6. The patient, newly diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, asks what caused this disorder. What is the nurse’s best response?

A) Inability of cells in the eye to reproduce
B) Increase of aqueous humor in the eye
C) Decrease of nerve innervations throughout the eye
D) Oxygen cannot diffuse rapidly across the membrane to tissues in the eye

Answer 4

D

he body’s inability to effectively cope with carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism over a long period of time results in a thickening of the basement membrane in large and small blood vessels. This thickening leads to changes in oxygenation of the lining of the vessels causing damage and narrowing of the vessels. The decreased blood flow through the vessels results in the inability of oxygen to rapidly diffuse across the membrane to the tissues of the eye. The tiny vessels of the eye are narrowed and closed, which causes loss of vision. Increase of aqueous humor is seen in glaucoma.

Question 5

7. A diabetic patient is taking regular and NPH insulin to manage his diabetes. What is the best evaluation tool to measure the overall patient response to the insulin therapy?

A.Blood pressure
B.Bilirubin level
C.Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) levels
D. Fasting blood glucose levels

Answer 5

C

HbAlc levels provide a 3-month average of glucose levels, which provides the best evaluation tool to measure the overall patient response to the treatment plan.

Question 6

8. A patient is brought to the emergency department with severe hypoglycemia. What drug would the nurse prepare to administer intravenously?

A) Diazole (Hyperstat)
B) Glyburide (DiaBeta)
C) Glucagon (GlucaGen)
D) Insulin (Humulin R)

Answer 6

C

This patient will need a glucose-elevating agent. Glucagon (GlucaGen) is given parenterally only and is the preferred agent for emergency situations. Diazole is also a glucose-elevating agent but is only administered so it would take longer to take effect. Insulin would be administered for hyperglycemia. Glyburide is an oral antidiabetic agent, which is a second-generation sulfonylurea, and is administered for hyperglycemia.

Question 7

The nurse will question what medication order for a diabetic patient who takes insulin to control his blood sugar level?

A) Propranolol (Inderal) 10 mg orally t.i.d.
B) Furosemide (Lasix) 60 mg/d orally
C) Cefaclor (Ceclor) 250 mg orally every 8 hour
D) Metoclopramide (Reglan) 20 mg PO

Answer 7

A

Propranolol is a beta-blocker and should be avoided in combination with insulin. The blocking of the sympathetic nervous system also blocks many of the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, hindering the patient’s ability to recognize problems. If propranolol must be taken, the nurse will need to teach this patient other ways to recognize hypoglycemia. Furosemide, cefaclor, and metoclopramide do not cause drug​drug interactions with insulin.

Question 8

10. A patient comes to the diabetes educator and asks about changing his insulin. The patient explains that his occupation takes him on long international flights and he does not want to administer insulin on the plane. What kind of insulin would the diabetic nurse educator seek an order for?

A) Lispro (Humalog)
B) Glulisine (Apidra)
C) Glargine (Lantus)
D) Aspart (NovoLog)

Answer 8

C

Ultralente has a duration of 20 to 24 hrs hours and a peak time of 10 to 30 hours. This would prevent him having to administer insulin on the airplane. Lispro has a duration of 2 to 5 hours and a peak time of 30 to 90 minutes. Glulisine has a duration of 1 to 2.5 hours and a peak time of 30 to 90 minutes. Aspart has a duration of 3 to 5 hours and a peak time of 1 to 3 hours. The last three insulin types mentioned in this Rationale would likely require administration on long plane flights.

Question 9

11. The diabetes nurse educator describes type 1 diabetes with what statement?

A. Blood glucose level can be controlled with diet.
B. Exogenous insulin is required for life.
C. Oral agents can help to control blood glucose levels.
D. It is always diagnosed in early childhood.

Answer 9

B

Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune disorder that destroys pancreatic beta cells. Insulin is the only effective treatment for type 1 diabetes because pancreatic beta cells are unable to secrete endogenous insulin and metabolism is severely impaired. In type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels cannot be controlled with diet, oral agents cannot control the disease process because they stimulate insulin production, and the patient with type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin. It can be diagnosed at other stages of the life span than just in early childhood.

Question 10

12. A patient is admitted to the emergency department in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with a blood glucose level of 485 mg/dL. The physician orders an initial dose of 25 U insulin IV. Which type of insulin will be administered?

A) NPH insulin
B) Humulin L insulin
C) Humulin N insulin
D) Regular insulin

Answer 10

D

Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that manages the hyperglycemia and hyperkalemia resulting from DKA, which is a life-threatening complication that occurs with severe insulin deficiency. Furthermore, only regular insulin can be given IV and is the drug of choice in emergency situations. Humulin N, Humulin L, and NPH are intermediate-acting forms.

Question 11

13. What instructions would be important to give to a 50-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes who has been switched from glyburide (DiaBeta) to repaglinide?

A) ​It is less potent, so you will need to take a larger dose.​

B) ​It stimulates insulin production, so you need to eat soon after taking the medication.​

C) ​It is more potent and longer lasting, so you should take it every other day.​

D) ​The two medications are virtually the same.​

Answer 11

B

Glyburide is a second-generation sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas with a 2- to 4-hour onset of action. Repaglinide has an onset of action within 30 minutes with peak effect in 1 hour, and duration of action is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Because repaglinide has a much faster onset of action, it is important the patient eats within15 to 30 minutes after taking the drug to avoid hypoglycemia. Repaglinide is not less potent, it is not more potent, and the two medications

Question 12

14. The nurse is instructing a patient how to mix NPH insulin with regular insulin in one syringe. The nurse tells the patient the mixture must be administered within how long after it is prepared?

A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 15 minutes
D) 20 minutes

Answer 12

C

Use caution when mixing types of insulin. Administer mixtures of regular and NPH or regular and lente insulins within 15 minutes after combining them to ensure appropriate suspension and therapeutic effect.

Question 13

With what patient would the nurse question the administration of human insulin?

A) Gestational diabetes
B) Type 2 diabetes controlled on oral antidiabetic agents with systemic infection
C) Type 1 diabetes of many years
D) Type 2 diabetes controlled by diet

Answer 13

D) Type 2 diabetes controlled by die

Insulin is recommended for treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients whose diabetes cannot be controlled
by diet or other pharmacotherapeutic agents. If the diabetes can be controlled by diet, the pancreas is
still functioning and releasing insulin. Human insulin can be used in gestational diabetes, patients with
type 2 diabetes controlled on oral antidiabetic agents with systemic infection, or patients with type 1
diabetes of many years standing.

Question 14

The nurse is teaching the patient about the newly prescribed external insulin pump. What are priority teaching points for the nurse to include? (Select all that apply.)

A) Watch for signs and symptoms of infection.
B) Check blood glucose frequently.
C) Change tubing frequently.
D) Have pump calibrated weekly.
E) Added insulin requires separate injection site

Answer 14

abcd

This pump device can be worn on a belt or hidden in a pocket and is attached to a small tube inserted
into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen. The device slowly leaks a base rate of insulin into the
abdomen all day; the patient can pump or inject booster doses throughout the day to correspond with
meals and activity. The device does have several disadvantages. For example, it is awkward, the tubing
poses an increased risk of infection and requires frequent changing, and the patient has to frequently
check blood glucose levels throughout the day to monitor response. There is no need to calibrate the
pump

Question 15

The nurse, working in the emergency department, receives a patient following a motor vehicle accident
whose medical history is unknown with a blood glucose level of 325 mg/dL. What rationale does the
nurse provide explaining this elevated blood glucose level?

A) The patient’s accident was caused by diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
B) The patient has not been taking the antidiabetic agent as prescribed.
C) The patient most likely just finished a meal.
D) The stress reaction caused an increase in blood sugar

Answer 15

D) The stress reaction caused an increase in blood sugar

The stress reaction elevates the blood glucose concentration above the normal range. In severe stress
situations, the blood glucose level can be very high (300 to 400 mg/dL). T

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient with renal dysfunction who requires an oral antidiabetic agent. What
drug will the nurse expect to see ordered?
A) Tolbutamide (glipizide)
B) Chlorpropamide
C) Tolazamide
D) Chlorpromazine

Answer 16

A) Tolbutamide (glipizide)

Question 17

A patient with type 1 diabetes takes 12 units of regular insulin and 34 units of NPH insulin in the
morning. How would the nurse explain why two different types of insulin are required to control the
patient’s blood sugar?

A) Different onsets and peak effects extends blood glucose control.
B) The mixture makes each drug work more effectively.
C) The combination reduces the adverse effects experienced.
D) Patients are less likely to experience hypoglycemia

Answer 17

A) Different onsets and peak effects extends blood glucose control.

Regular insulin will begin working within 30 to 60 minutes and peak within 2 to 4 hours and a 6- to 12-
hour duration of action whereas NPH insulin has an onset of 60 to 90 minutes and peaks in 4 to 12
hours, with a 24-hour duration of action. By giving both drugs at once, the patient gets rapid blood
glucose control within 30 minutes from the regular insulin and the control lasts 24 hours due to NPH’s
long duration of action. T

Question 18

What antidiabetic agent is approved for the nurse to administer to children 10 years old and older with
type 2 diabetes?
A) Pioglitazone
B) Repaglinide
C) Liraglutide
D) Metformin

Answer 18

D) Metformin

Question 19

The home care nurse is caring for an older adult patient with visual impairment who cannot see the
numbers on the syringe when preparing insulin for administration and cannot afford the increased cost
of prefilled auto syringes. What strategy might the nurse use to help this patient comply with insulin
needs between visits?
A) Change the patient to oral antidiabetics.
B) Prepare a week’s supply of syringes and refrigerate.
C) Have the patient use a magnifying glass.
D) Ask a neighbor to come over every day to prepare the medication.

Answer 19

B) Prepare a week’s supply of syringes and refrigerate.

Question 20

The nurse admits a patient to the emergency department and recognizes the patient is in diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA) when what manifestations are assessed? (Select all that apply.)
A) Fruity breath
B) Edema
C) Dehydration
D) Agitation
E) slow and deep respirations

Answer 20

ACE

Question 21

The patient with diabetes asks the nurse why different oral antidiabetic agents are ordered instead of
just one drug. What is the nurse’s best explanation of the benefit of combining different agents?
A) Maximum effects
B) Additive effects
C) Minimalistic effects
D) Synergistic effects

Answer 21

B) Additive effects

Five types of oral antidiabetic agents exist, all of which may be used to treat type 2 diabetes when diet
and exercise alone fail to control the disorder. The drugs lower blood sugar by different mechanisms
and may be used in various combinations for additive effects

Question 22

The nurse is caring for an obese woman who was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When
developing this patient’s plan of care, what is the priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements related to obesity
B) Risk for unstable blood glucose related to ineffective dosing of antidiabetic agents
C) Disturbed sensory perception related to glucose levels
D) Ineffective coping related to diagnosis and therapy

Answer 22

A) Imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements related to obesity

Question 23

What outcome would best indicate the nurse’s teaching was effective and that drug therapy was
appropriate?
A) The patient can explain how to take the medication.
B) The patient demonstrates the correct procedure for monitoring blood sugar.
C) The patient follows an appropriate diet.
D) Blood glucose level is stable with no diabetic complications.

Answer 23

D) Blood glucose level is stable with no diabetic complications.

The single best indicator, and the goal of treatment, is to help the patient maintain a stable blood
glucose level so as to be able to avoid any complications. For the patient to maintain a stable blood
glucose level, he needs to understand how to take his medication, to check his blood sugar level, and to
follow an appropriate diet, but the best indicator is the stable glucose level

Question 24

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient whose diabetes has been well controlled on acarbose
(Precose). The patient is not allowed to take anything orally following abdominal surgery and is
receiving high-glucose total parenteral nutrition via a central IV line. What medication can the nurse
administer IV to control the patient’s blood glucose level?

A) Glyburide
B) Acarbose
C) NPH insulin
D) Regular insulin

Answer 24

D) Regular insulin

Question 25

LILLY
The nurse is administering insulin lispro (Humalog) and will keep in mind that this insulin will start to have an effect within which
time frame?
a. 15 minutes
b. 1 to 2 hours
c. 80 minutes
d. 3 to 5 hours

Answer 25

a. 15 minutes

Question 26

When teaching about hypoglycemia, the nurse will make sure that the patient is aware of the early signs of hypoglycemia, including
which of these?
a. Hypothermia and seizures.
b. Nausea and diarrhea.
c. Confusion and sweating.
d. Fruity, acetone odor to the breath

Answer 26

c. Confusion and sweating.

Early symptoms of hypoglycemia include the central nervous system manifestations of confusion, irritability, tremor, and sweating.
Hypothermia and seizures are later symptoms of hypoglycemia. The other options are incorrect

Question 27

The nurse is teaching a group of patients about self-administration of insulin. What content is important to include?

a. Patients need to use the injection site that is the most accessible.
b. If two different insulins are ordered, they need to be given in separate injections.
c. When mixing insulins, the cloudy (such as NPH) insulin is drawn up into the
syringe first.
d. When mixing insulins, the clear (such as regular) insulin is drawn up into the
syringe first

Answer 27

d. When mixing insulins, the clear (such as regular) insulin is drawn up into the
syringe first

If mixing insulins in one syringe, the clear (regular) insulin is always drawn up into the syringe first. Patients always need to rotate
injection sites. Mixing of insulins may be ordered

Question 28

When monitoring a patient’s response to oral antidiabetic drugs, the nurse knows that which laboratory result would indicate a
therapeutic response?
a. Random blood glucose level 180 mg/dL
b. Blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL after meals
c. Fasting blood glucose level of 92 mg/dL
d. Evening blood glucose level below 80 mg/dL

Answer 28

c. Fasting blood glucose level of 92 mg/dL

Question 29

A 75-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes has recently been placed on glipizide (Glucotrol). She asks the nurse when the best time
would be to take this medication. What is the nurse’s best response?

a. “Take this medication in the morning, 30 minutes before breakfast.”
b. “Take this medication in the evening with a snack.”
c. “This medication needs to be taken after the midday meal.”
d. “It does not matter what time of day you take this medication.”

Answer 29

a. “Take this medication in the morning, 30 minutes before breakfast.”

Glipizide is taken in the morning, 30 minutes before breakfast. This allows the timing of the insulin secretion induced by the
glipizide to correspond with the elevation in blood glucose level induced by the meal in much the same way as endogenous insulin
levels are raised in a person without diabetes.

Question 30

A patient who has type 2 diabetes is scheduled for an oral endoscopy and has been NPO (nothing by mouth) since midnight. What
is the best action by the nurse regarding the administration of her oral antidiabetic drugs?
a. Administer half the original dose.
b. Withhold all medications as ordered.
c. Contact the prescriber for further orders.
d. Give the medication with a sip of water

Answer 30

c. Contact the prescriber for further orders.

When the diabetic patient is NPO, the prescriber needs to be contacted for further orders regarding the administration of the oral
antidiabetic drugs.

Question 31

The nurse is reviewing instructions for a patient with type 2 diabetes who also takes insulin injections as part of the therapy. The
nurse asks the patient, “What should you do if your fasting blood glucose is 47 mg/dL?” Which response by the patient reflects a
correct understanding of insulin therapy?

a. “I will call my doctor right away.”
b. “I will give myself the regular insulin.”
c. “I will take an oral form of glucose.”
d. “I will rest until the symptoms pass.”

Answer 31

c. “I will take an oral form of glucose.”

Hypoglycemia can be reversed if the patient eats glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, or honey, or drinks fruit juice or a nondiet soft
drink or other quick sources of glucose, which must always be kept at hand

Question 32

The nurse is teaching patients about self-injection of insulin. Which statement is true regarding injection sites?
a. Avoid the abdomen because absorption there is irregular.
b. Choose a different site at random for each injection.
c. Give the injection in the same area each time.
d. Rotate sites within the same location for about 1 week before rotating to a new
location

Answer 32

d. Rotate sites within the same location for about 1 week before rotating to a new
location

Question 33

Which action is most appropriate regarding the nurse’s administration of a rapid-acting insulin to a hospitalized patient?

a. Give it within 15 minutes of mealtime.
b. Give it after the meal has been completed.
c. Administer it once daily at the time of the midday meal.
d. Administer it with a snack before bedtime

Answer 33

a. Give it within 15 minutes of mealtime.

Rapid-acting insulins are able to mimic closely the body’s natural rapid insulin output after eating a meal; for this reason, these
insulins are usually administered within 15 minutes of the patient’s mealtime

Question 34

After starting treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus 6 months earlier, a patient is in the office for a follow-up examination. The
nurse will monitor which laboratory test to evaluate the patient’s adherence to the antidiabetic therapy over the past few months?

a. Hemoglobin levels
b. Hemoglobin A1C level
c. Fingerstick fasting blood glucose level
d. Serum insulin levels

Answer 34

b. Hemoglobin A1C level

The hemoglobin A1C level reflects the patient’s adherence to the therapy regimen for several months previously, thus evaluating
how well the patient has been doing with diet and drug therapy.

Question 35

A patient in the emergency department was showing signs of hypoglycemia and had a fingerstick glucose level of 34 mg/dL. The
patient has just become unconscious. The nurse will anticipate which action to be next?

a. Having the patient eat glucose tablets.
b. Having the patient consume fruit juice, a nondiet soft drink, or crackers.
c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose).
d. Calling the lab to order a fasting blood glucose level.

Answer 35

c. Administering intravenous glucose (50% dextrose).

Intravenous glucose raises blood glucose levels when the patient is unconscious and unable to take oral forms of glucose. H

Question 36

The nurse is preparing to administer insulin intravenously. Which statement about the administration of intravenous insulin is true?

a. Insulin is never given intravenously.
b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.
c. Insulin aspart or insulin lispro can be administered intravenously, but there must
be a 50% dose reduction.
d. Any form of insulin can be administered intravenously at the same dose as that is
ordered for subcutaneous administration.

Answer 36

b. Only regular insulin can be administered intravenously.

Question 37

A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes has been treated for pneumonia for
the past week. The patient has been receiving intravenous corticosteroids as well as antibiotics as part of his therapy. At this time,
the pneumonia has resolved, but when monitoring the blood glucose levels, the nurse notices that the level is still elevated. What is
the best explanation for this elevation?

a. The antibiotics may cause an increase in glucose levels.
b. The corticosteroids may cause an increase in glucose levels.
c. His type 2 diabetes has converted to type 1.
d. The hypoxia caused by the COPD causes an increased need for insulin

Answer 37

b. The corticosteroids may cause an increase in glucose levels.

Corticosteroids can antagonize the hypoglycemic effects of insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. The other options are
incorrect

Question 38

A patient has been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on the biguanide metformin (Glucophage). The nurse knows
that the purpose of the metformin, in this situation, is which of these?

a. To increase the pancreatic secretion of insulin
b. To decrease insulin resistance
c. To increase blood glucose levels
d. To decrease the pancreatic secretion of insulin

Answer 38

b. To decrease insulin resistance

Metformin

decreases glucose production by the liver;

decreases intestinal absorption of glucose;

and improves insulin receptor
sensitivity in the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue, resulting in decreased insulin resistance

Question 39

When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient, the nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa
drugs. There is an order for the sulfonylurea glipizide (Glucotrol). Which action by the nurse is correct?

a. Give the drug as ordered 30 minutes before breakfast.
b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.
c. Give a reduced dose of the drug with breakfast.
d. Give the drug, and monitor for adverse effects

Answer 39

b. Hold the drug, and check the order with the prescriber.

There is a potential for cross-allergy in patients who are allergic to sulfonamide antibiotics. Although such an allergy is listed as a
contraindication by the manufacturer, most clinicians do prescribe sulfonylureas for such patients. The order needs to be clarified.

Question 40

The nurse is reviewing a patient’s medication list and notes that sitagliptin (Januvia) is ordered. The nurse will question an
additional order for which drug or drug class?

a. Glitazone
b. Insulin
c. Metformin (Glucophage)
d. Sulfonylurea

Answer 40

b. Insulin

Sitagliptin is indicated for management of type 2 diabetes either as monotherapy or in combination with metformin, a sulfonylurea,
or a glitazone, but not with insulin

Question 41

The nurse is teaching a review class to nurses about diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the nurse is correct?

a. “Patients with type 2 diabetes will never need insulin.”
b. “Oral antidiabetic drugs are safe for use during pregnancy.”
c. “Pediatric patients cannot take insulin.”
d. “Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.”

Answer 41

d. “Insulin therapy is possible during pregnancy if managed carefully.”

Oral medications are generally not recommended for pregnant patients because of a lack of firm safety data. For this reason, insulin
therapy is the only currently recommended drug therapy for pregnant women with diabetes.

Question 42

The nurse is teaching a group of patients about management of diabetes. Which statement about basal dosing is correct?

a. “Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.”
b. “With basal dosing, you can eat what you want and then give yourself a dose of
insulin.”
c. “Glargine insulin is given as a bolus with meals.”
d. “Basal-bolus dosing is the traditional method of managing blood glucose levels.

Answer 42

a. “Basal dosing delivers a constant dose of insulin.”

Basal-bolus therapy is the attempt to mimic a healthy pancreas by delivering basal insulin constantly as a basal, and then as needed
as a bolus. Glargine insulin is used as a basal dose, not as a bolus with meals. Basal-bolus therapy is a newer therapy; historically,
sliding-scale coverage was implemented.

Question 43

When teaching a patient who is starting metformin (Glucophage), which instruction by the nurse is correct?

a. “Take metformin if your blood glucose level is above 150 mg/dL.”
b. “Take this 60 minutes after breakfast.”
c. “Take the medication on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals.”
d. “Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.

Answer 43

d. “Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) effects.”

The GI adverse effects of metformin can be reduced by administering it with meals. The other options are incorrect.

Question 44

A patient is taking a sulfonylurea medication for new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. When reviewing potential adverse effects
during patient teaching, the nurse will include information about which of these effects? (Select all that apply.)

a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nausea
c. Diarrhea
d. Weight gain
e. Peripheral edem

Answer 44

abd

The most common adverse effect of the sulfonylureas is hypoglycemia, the degree to which depends on the dose, eating habits, and
presence of hepatic or renal disease. Another predictable adverse effect is weight gain because of the stimulation of insulin
secretion. Other adverse effects include skin rash, nausea, epigastric fullness, and heartburn.