Question

The client is experiencing the Somogyi effect of his diabetes mellitus. Which action indicates that the nurse understands the Somogyi effect? A. The nurse offers a bedtime snack. B. The nurse administers insulin prior to bedtime. C. The nurse checks the urine for glucose and ketones prior to meals. D. The nurse offers an anti-emetic for nausea.

Short answer

Answer: A. The nurse offers a bedtime snack.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Somogyi effect

The Somogyi effect, also known as rebound hyperglycemia, is a condition in which a person with diabetes experiences low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night and then a subsequent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in the morning. This occurs due to the body's natural response to the low blood sugar, leading to the release of hormones that raise the blood sugar levels. The Somogyi effect can be managed by adjusting the client's nighttime blood sugar control measures.

Identify the appropriate nursing action

After understanding the Somogyi effect, we can now evaluate the given options to determine which nursing action would be most appropriate for managing the client's condition: A. The nurse offers a bedtime snack: Providing a bedtime snack containing carbohydrates and protein can help to stabilize the blood sugar throughout the night and prevent the occurrence of hypoglycemia. B. The nurse administers insulin prior to bedtime: Administering insulin prior to bedtime may actually exacerbate the Somogyi effect if the insulin dose is too high or if it peaks during the night, causing nighttime hypoglycemia. C. The nurse checks the urine for glucose and ketones prior to meals: Checking the urine for glucose and ketones may be useful in monitoring the overall blood sugar control in the client but does not directly address the problem of nighttime hypoglycemia or the Somogyi effect. D. The nurse offers an anti-emetic for nausea: Nausea may be a symptom of other diabetes-related complications but does not directly address the management of the Somogyi effect.

Select the correct answer

Based on our evaluation of each option, the most appropriate nursing action for a client experiencing the Somogyi effect would be to offer a bedtime snack. Hence, the correct answer to the question is option A.