The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus who has a new prescription for insulin glargine. Which action should the nurse plan to include in the discharge teaching?

Choice A reason: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used to manage blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. It is not typically used for the acute management of severe hypoglycemia. Instead, fast-acting glucose sources or glucagon injections are recommended for severe hypoglycemia. Therefore, teaching the family how to inject insulin glargine for severe hypoglycemia is not appropriate. Choice B reason: Teaching the client self-injection skills for daily subcutaneous administration is crucial. Insulin glargine is administered once daily to provide a steady level of insulin throughout the day and night. Proper self-injection technique ensures that the medication is delivered correctly and effectively, which is essential for managing blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. Choice C reason: While it is important for patients to monitor their blood sugar levels, insulin glargine dosing is typically fixed and not adjusted based on before-meal blood sugar readings. Instead, adjustments to the dose are made based on overall blood glucose trends and A1C levels, under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Choice D reason: Increasing the dosage of insulin glargine in response to ketoacidosis is not appropriate. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment with rapid-acting insulin, fluids, and electrolytes. Patients should be instructed to seek emergency medical care if they experience symptoms of DKA.