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

Identify the problem

The problem is the Somogyi effect, which is a rebound hyperglycemia in the early morning due to low blood sugar levels during sleep.

Identify potential nursing interventions

We need to analyze each given option and determine if it demonstrates an understanding of 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.

Evaluate Option A

Offering a bedtime snack can help prevent low blood sugar levels during sleep, which in turn may prevent the Somogyi effect. This option shows an understanding of the cause of the Somogyi effect and provides an appropriate intervention. Hence, option A is suitable.

Evaluate Option B

Administering insulin prior to bedtime may lower blood sugar levels further during sleep, potentially worsening the Somogyi effect. This option does not demonstrate an understanding of the Somogyi effect, and therefore, option B is not suitable.

Evaluate Option C

Checking urine for glucose and ketones prior to meals does not directly address the Somogyi effect, which is specifically related to blood sugar levels during sleep. This option is not directly relevant to the management of the Somogyi effect, so option C is not suitable.

Evaluate Option D

Offering an anti-emetic for nausea does not address the underlying cause of the Somogyi effect, which is low blood sugar levels during sleep. This option does not demonstrate an understanding of the Somogyi effect, so option D is not suitable.

Select the correct answer

Based on our analysis, the action that indicates that the nurse understands the Somogyi effect is: A. The nurse offers a bedtime snack.