Part b Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Part b - Assignment Example ntition, decreased appetite, decreased taste sensation, and presence of chronic illness, older adults are more likely to be nutritionally deficient, which put them at risk for hypoglycemic episodes (Roach, 2001, p. 321). Likewise, older adults frequently live alone and the non-recognition of the symptoms of hypoglycemia may lead to incidences of injury (Surrena, 2009, p. 387). Mr. Adams Douglas, 51 year-old male, was admitted to the hospital due to confusion. Assessment revealed a blood sugar of 2.1 mmol/L, a marked hypoglycemia. In addition, Mr. Douglas is receiving medication for diabetes and hypertension and stated that he administered full dose (26 units) of insulin in the morning although Mr. Douglas had not eaten anything prior to administration of insulin. Further assessment also revealed that Mr. Douglas smokes 1 pack of cigarette/day and has been living alone in a single bed unit. Upon admission to the hospital, Mr. Douglas’ current conditions include slurred speech, inability to remain still in the bed, feeling of weakness and lack of energy, and Glasgow Coma Scale of 13/15. Initial medical interventions were implemented in order to rule out hypoglycemic episodes. The first nursing diagnosis is the Risk for Injury related to decreased blood sugar level, secondary to insulin therapy. After two hours of nursing intervention, Mr. Douglas’ will be free from any form of injury by maintaining blood glucose levels between 2.7-3.3 mmol/L and identifying signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Nursing interventions include the following: assessment of serum glucose levels at bedside before administering oral hypoglycemic agents, before meals, and before going to sleep because serum glucose levels are more accurate parameters than urine glucose, which is affected by renal threshold and function of aging (Moyet, 2008, p. 856); assessment of signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia such as irritability, confusion, fatigue, weakness, sweating, shakiness, palpitation,