A patient with diabetes reports feeling shaky, weak, and light-headed. When the nurse performs a blood glucose check, the result is 53 mg/dL. The nurse should perform what nursing action?

Explanation

•A patient with a blood glucose less than 70 mg/dL should be given 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of juice or 8 ounces of nonfat or 1% milk.

•After the patient finishes the juice and snack, the nurse should recheck the blood glucose 15 minutes later. If blood glucose remains below 70 mg/dL, the nurse should administer dextrose 50% per standing orders and report this to the provider.

•Once blood glucose returns to normal, the patient should be given a small snack if the meal time is more than an hour away. 

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