WK9AssgnDocturaN
NRNP 6540 WK9AssgnDocturaN
Hypoglycemia in Older Adults
Nancy S. Doctura
Walden University
NRNP 6540F Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults
Dr. Donna Petko
November 2, 2020
,WK9AssgnDocturaN
Hypoglycemia in Older Adults
Hypoglycemia can cause significant effects to older patients. Low blood sugar resulting
from the use of hypoglycemic agents in managing diabetes is a worrisome complication and
contributes to mortality and morbidity in geriatric diabetic patients. Aging also changes the
cognitive, symptomatic, and counter-regulatory hormonal responses to low blood sugar ( Martin-
Timon & Del Canizo-Gomez, 2015). Due to the effects mentioned, it is important for nurse
practitioners to ensure that they provide good assessment and care plan for the older adults with
metabolic disorders that they will treat in their practice. The goal of this paper is to present a
subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) for an elderly female patient with a
presenting symptom of low fasting blood sugar. The author also aims to discuss the differential
diagnoses for this case and their associated treatments and teachings. The paper also aims to
reflect on the learnings identified while reviewing the case study.
SOAP Note
Subjective
Patient Information:
Ms. L. 63-year-old, Female, Hispanic
Chief Complaint: Ms. L comes in complaining a low fasting blood sugar in the morning for the
last few weeks.
, WK9AssgnDocturaN
History of Present Illness: Ms. L is a 63-year-old Hispanic female who comes to the clinic
complaining of a low fasting blood sugar in the morning. The low fasting blood sugar is as low
as 50mg/dl in the morning for the last few weeks. Ms. L is a known diabetic and also has history
of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and chronic osteoarthritis. Ms. L also reports high blood
pressures. Today’s blood pressure upon arrival to the clinic is 165/90. No other symptoms were
reported.
Current Medications:
Women’s One A Day Multivitamin daily
Chlorthalidone 25 mg daily
Fish Oil 1 tablet daily
Amlodipine 5mg PO daily
Atorvastatin 40 mg PO at bedtime daily
Novolog 10 units with meals TID
Aspirin 81mg PO daily
Lantus 25 units subcutaneous nightly
Ergocalciferol 50,000 units PO once a month
The Beers criteria recommends Aspirin to be used with caution for the primary
prevention of cardiac events (Terrery & Nicoteri, 2016). The warning is primarily due to the
NRNP 6540 WK9AssgnDocturaN
Hypoglycemia in Older Adults
Nancy S. Doctura
Walden University
NRNP 6540F Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults
Dr. Donna Petko
November 2, 2020
,WK9AssgnDocturaN
Hypoglycemia in Older Adults
Hypoglycemia can cause significant effects to older patients. Low blood sugar resulting
from the use of hypoglycemic agents in managing diabetes is a worrisome complication and
contributes to mortality and morbidity in geriatric diabetic patients. Aging also changes the
cognitive, symptomatic, and counter-regulatory hormonal responses to low blood sugar ( Martin-
Timon & Del Canizo-Gomez, 2015). Due to the effects mentioned, it is important for nurse
practitioners to ensure that they provide good assessment and care plan for the older adults with
metabolic disorders that they will treat in their practice. The goal of this paper is to present a
subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) for an elderly female patient with a
presenting symptom of low fasting blood sugar. The author also aims to discuss the differential
diagnoses for this case and their associated treatments and teachings. The paper also aims to
reflect on the learnings identified while reviewing the case study.
SOAP Note
Subjective
Patient Information:
Ms. L. 63-year-old, Female, Hispanic
Chief Complaint: Ms. L comes in complaining a low fasting blood sugar in the morning for the
last few weeks.
, WK9AssgnDocturaN
History of Present Illness: Ms. L is a 63-year-old Hispanic female who comes to the clinic
complaining of a low fasting blood sugar in the morning. The low fasting blood sugar is as low
as 50mg/dl in the morning for the last few weeks. Ms. L is a known diabetic and also has history
of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and chronic osteoarthritis. Ms. L also reports high blood
pressures. Today’s blood pressure upon arrival to the clinic is 165/90. No other symptoms were
reported.
Current Medications:
Women’s One A Day Multivitamin daily
Chlorthalidone 25 mg daily
Fish Oil 1 tablet daily
Amlodipine 5mg PO daily
Atorvastatin 40 mg PO at bedtime daily
Novolog 10 units with meals TID
Aspirin 81mg PO daily
Lantus 25 units subcutaneous nightly
Ergocalciferol 50,000 units PO once a month
The Beers criteria recommends Aspirin to be used with caution for the primary
prevention of cardiac events (Terrery & Nicoteri, 2016). The warning is primarily due to the
