A diabetic patient who is hospitalized tells the nurse, "I don't understand why I can keep my blood sugar under control at home with diet alone, but when I get sick, my blood sugar goes up." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
a. "It is probably just coincidental that your blood sugar is high when you are ill."
b. "Stressors such as illness cause the release of hormones that increase blood sugar."
c. "Increased blood sugar occurs because the kidneys are not able to metabolize glucose as well during stressful times."
d. "Your diet is different here in the hospital than at home, and that is the most likely cause of the increased glucose level."
ANS: B
The release of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine increases blood glucose levels. The increase in blood sugar is not coincidental. The kidneys do not control blood glucose. A diabetic patient who is hospitalized will be on an appropriate diet to help control blood glucose.
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