Understanding Chronic Illnesses
Understanding Chronic Illnesses ( 4 Questions)
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is prescribed metformin, a biguanide antidiabetic agent. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which adverse effect of this medication?
This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause hypoglycemia by itself. However, hypoglycemia may occur if metformin is combined with other antidiabetic agents that lower blood glucose levels, such as sulfonylureas or insulin.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of metformin therapy, especially in clients with renal impairment, liver disease, heart failure, or alcohol abuse. It occurs when metformin accumulates in the body and causes an increase in lactate production and a decrease in lactate clearance, leading to metabolic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperventilation, muscle weakness, and confusion.
This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause pancreatitis. However, pancreatitis may occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus or as an adverse effect of other antidiabetic agents, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.
This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause hepatotoxicity. However, hepatotoxicity may occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus or as an adverse effect of other antidiabetic agents, such as thiazolidinediones or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of metformin therapy, especially in clients with renal impairment, liver disease, heart failure, or alcohol abuse. It occurs when metformin accumulates in the body and causes an increase in lactate production and a decrease in lactate clearance, leading to metabolic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperventilation, muscle weakness, and confusion.
Incorrect options:
A) Hypoglycemia - This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause hypoglycemia by itself. However, hypoglycemia may occur if metformin is combined with other antidiabetic agents that lower blood glucose levels, such as sulfonylureas or insulin.
C) Pancreatitis - This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause pancreatitis. However, pancreatitis may occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus or as an adverse effect of other antidiabetic agents, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.
D) Hepatotoxicity - This is an incorrect option, as metformin does not cause hepatotoxicity. However, hepatotoxicity may occur as a complication of diabetes mellitus or as an adverse effect of other antidiabetic agents, such as thiazolidinediones or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.