The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. The nurse recognizes the possible need to administer the following infusions during the course of treatment:

(This is a SATA question, please choose more then 1 correct answer)

Explanation

•Short-acting insulin, such as regular insulin, in normal saline, should be used for continuous insulin infusions.

•If needed, an insulin and dextrose solution may also be used to prevent hypoglycemia later in treatment.

•An infusion of sodium bicarbonate may be administered to correct the acidosis, though insulin therapy alone may correct the DKA as it improves glucose utilization and decreases ketoacid production.

•Glargine insulin is a long-acting insulin (lasts for 12-24 hours), so this would not be given intravenously to correct acute hyperglycemia.

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