NURS 354 LATEST 2026 CORE EXAM MANUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔hypoglycemia - ✔✔blood glucose < 70 mg/dL
can occur with too much insulin, too little food, or excessive physical activity
✔✔manifestations of hypoglycemia - ✔✔sweating
tremors
tachycardia
cool skin
palpitations
nervousness
hunger
inability to concentrate
headache
confusion
numb lips & tongue
double vision
drowsy
✔✔how to prevent hypoglycemia - ✔✔consistent patter of eating, administering insulin,
and exercising
✔✔management of hypoglycemia - ✔✔immediate: 15-20g of fast acting carbs (OJ, milk)
in unable to swallow/unconscious: glucagon injection
✔✔3 main clinical features of DKA - ✔✔hyperglycemia
dehydration/electrolyte imbalances
acidosis
✔✔management of DKA - ✔✔rehydrate
correct electrolyte imbalances
- hypokalemia
- hypernatremia
insulin administration via IV
✔✔hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) - ✔✔metabolic disorder usually in
T2DM patients that results from insulin deficiency precipitated by an illness or trauma
that raises the demand for insulin
- usually occurs in older adults
- can also occur from medications (thiazides) or treatments (dialysis)
no ketones or acidosis present
BG > 600
, ✔✔manifestations of HHS - ✔✔hypotension
profound dehydration
tachycardia
variable neurologic signs
✔✔management of HHS - ✔✔fluid replacement
correct electrolyte imbalances
- hypokalemia
- hypernatremia
administer insulin
✔✔macrovascular chronic complications from diabetes - ✔✔CAD
stroke
PVD
result from changes in the medium/large blood vessels - they thicken and allow plaque
to accumulate more easily
✔✔diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔changes in the small blood vessels of the retina
- swelling and forming exudates may appear
✔✔manifestations of diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔blurry vision
floaters or cobwebs in vision
spotty or hazy vision
✔✔management of diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔treat blood glucose levels (underlying
cause)
education
- regular eye exams
- controlling BG
✔✔diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔extended elevation of blood glucose stresses the kidney's
filtration system
✔✔manifestations of diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔kidney dysfunction
- elevated BUN & creatinine
- albumin in urine
frequent hypoglycemic episodes
✔✔management of diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔control HTN
prevent UTI
avoid nephrotoxic medications (contrast dyes included)
low sodium, high protein diet
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔hypoglycemia - ✔✔blood glucose < 70 mg/dL
can occur with too much insulin, too little food, or excessive physical activity
✔✔manifestations of hypoglycemia - ✔✔sweating
tremors
tachycardia
cool skin
palpitations
nervousness
hunger
inability to concentrate
headache
confusion
numb lips & tongue
double vision
drowsy
✔✔how to prevent hypoglycemia - ✔✔consistent patter of eating, administering insulin,
and exercising
✔✔management of hypoglycemia - ✔✔immediate: 15-20g of fast acting carbs (OJ, milk)
in unable to swallow/unconscious: glucagon injection
✔✔3 main clinical features of DKA - ✔✔hyperglycemia
dehydration/electrolyte imbalances
acidosis
✔✔management of DKA - ✔✔rehydrate
correct electrolyte imbalances
- hypokalemia
- hypernatremia
insulin administration via IV
✔✔hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) - ✔✔metabolic disorder usually in
T2DM patients that results from insulin deficiency precipitated by an illness or trauma
that raises the demand for insulin
- usually occurs in older adults
- can also occur from medications (thiazides) or treatments (dialysis)
no ketones or acidosis present
BG > 600
, ✔✔manifestations of HHS - ✔✔hypotension
profound dehydration
tachycardia
variable neurologic signs
✔✔management of HHS - ✔✔fluid replacement
correct electrolyte imbalances
- hypokalemia
- hypernatremia
administer insulin
✔✔macrovascular chronic complications from diabetes - ✔✔CAD
stroke
PVD
result from changes in the medium/large blood vessels - they thicken and allow plaque
to accumulate more easily
✔✔diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔changes in the small blood vessels of the retina
- swelling and forming exudates may appear
✔✔manifestations of diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔blurry vision
floaters or cobwebs in vision
spotty or hazy vision
✔✔management of diabetic retinopathy - ✔✔treat blood glucose levels (underlying
cause)
education
- regular eye exams
- controlling BG
✔✔diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔extended elevation of blood glucose stresses the kidney's
filtration system
✔✔manifestations of diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔kidney dysfunction
- elevated BUN & creatinine
- albumin in urine
frequent hypoglycemic episodes
✔✔management of diabetic nephropathy - ✔✔control HTN
prevent UTI
avoid nephrotoxic medications (contrast dyes included)
low sodium, high protein diet
