Week 12 - DM Flashcards
When should mealtime insulin be administered
15 minutes before a meal
Long-acting insulin
insulin glargine (lantus). Is released steadily and continuously over 24 hours
Because long-acting insulins lack a peak action time…
the risk for hypoglycaemia is greatly reduced
Where does the fastest absorption of insulin take place?
from the stomach
Glycemic index
the term used to describe the rise in blood glucose levels after a person has consumed carbohydrate containing food
What is the effect of alcohol in those with diabetes?
alcohol has an inhibitory effect on glucose produced in the liver which would cause hypoglycaemia in patients taking insulin or OHAs
Diabetic patients undergoing a contrast radiological procedure will be advised to?
stop taking metformin and don’t start again until 48 hours after the procedure. Contrast mediums and metformin are very hard on the kidneys therefore both together could cause kidney problems
DKA
An acute complication of DM occurring when fats are metabolized in the absence of insulin
DKA is caused by?
a profound deficiency of insulin
DKA is characterized by?
hyperglycaemia, ketosis, metabolic acidosis and dehydration
DKA is common with?
type 1 DM
Which electrolyte is most affected in DKA
potassium because it is pushed out of cells. Once it is peed it, it gets depleted quickly (hypokalemia)
Hydrogen movement into cell (caused by acidosis) promotes?
potassium movement out of cell
Initial goal in DKA management?
IV access to begin fluid and electrolyte replacement
In DKA insulin is held until
fluid resuscitation is underway and potassium levels are >3.3mmol/L
Hypoglycaemia occurs when
there is too much insulin in proportion to available glucose in the blood
How should the nurse treat hypoglycaemia
give 15-20mg of a simple carb such as juice or a soft drink. Do not give treatments containing a lot of fat such as chocolate, cookies or ice cream.
what is the only treatment for diabetic neuropathy
control of blood glucose. TCAs can also be moderately effective
