Which finding would prompt the nurse to recheck the client's blood glucose level before administering a mealtime insulin dose?

Which finding would prompt the nurse to recheck the client's blood glucose level before administering a mealtime insulin dose?

• A. Confusion
• B. Heart rate 110 beats/min
• C. Drowsiness
• D. Nervousness

Answer: (A)

Mental status changes point to possible hypoglycemia, which insulin would worsen if given without checking glucose first. Confusion suggests glucose may be low, so the nurse should recheck the blood glucose before administering a mealtime insulin dose to avoid overdosing insulin. If glucose is low, hold insulin and treat hypoglycemia; if it’s normal or high, proceed per protocol. Other signs like tachycardia, drowsiness, or nervousness can have many causes and are less specific, so they don’t mandate a glucose check as directly.

Mental status changes point to possible hypoglycemia, which insulin would worsen if given without checking glucose first. Confusion suggests glucose may be low, so the nurse should recheck the blood glucose before administering a mealtime insulin dose to avoid overdosing insulin. If glucose is low, hold insulin and treat hypoglycemia; if it’s normal or high, proceed per protocol. Other signs like tachycardia, drowsiness, or nervousness can have many causes and are less specific, so they don’t mandate a glucose check as directly.