What should the nurse administer first? A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes who exhibits confusion, light-headedness, and aberrant behavior. The client is conscious.

It is not advisable that insulin will be given to a patient with Type 1 Diabetes who is showing signs of confusion and light-headedness. This will only worsen the conditions that the patient is feeling. It may come to a point when the patient will become unconscious because of the discomfort that is being experienced. The best option is to provide a fast-acting carbohydrate as it will help get rid of the patient’s symptoms.

Take note that this is the better option than providing an IV drip since the patient is conscious anyway. Some fast acting carbohydrates can be fruit juices, dairy products, and dried foods. These options can help improve blood sugar levels.

15 to 20 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice.-rationale: this client is experiencing hypoglycemia. because the client is conscious, the nurse should first administer a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as orange juice, hard candy, or honey. if the client has lost consciousness, the nurse should administer i.m. or subcutaneous glucagon or an i.v. bolus of dextrose 50%. the nurse shouldnt administer insulin to a client whos hypoglycemic; this action will further compromise the clients condition. client needs category: physiological integrity client needs subcategory: reduction of risk potential cognitive level: analysis reference: smeltzer, s.c., et al. brunner and suddarths textbook of medical surgical-nursing,11th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2008, p. 1411.