new diabetic student,need guidance pls

[rdsxfnrn]

I have a new student in my school, and i am looking for guidance only pls. i got the drs orders late late yesterday and they seemed confusing to me. due to the fact that we are in the middle of a hurricane, i will be unable to contact the doc til mon or tues, when school starts. any way, the order read xx amt of insulin for a blood sugar reading of xx, yet it also read xx amount of insulin for xx amt of carbs to be eaten. it does not say "or" which makes me think i am supposed to do both, yet i know this can not be correct. as i stated, i will be contacting doc asap,obviously before seeing this student. guidance pls..... if u choose not to help, pls also choose not to comment. tyia

[studentmichelle]

Is it possible that the sliding scale orders are only for high blood sugar readings and that the carb ratio is used for meals? Like sliding scale for correction only and carb ratio otherwise?

[Jolie, BSN]

While you certainly need to clarify the physician's orders at the first available opportunity, I would suggest that you communicate with the parents in the meantime.

Most parents of diabetic children are very well versed and able to explain their child's medication program.

Best of luck to you!

[ford0605]

I agree that the parents will probably be able to tell you how they are figuring up insulin right now. Both of my diabetics are still using the same formula from last year until they go back for their check-ups. They each use a "blood sugar minus 120" plus a carb ratio. So they are getting a corrective dose plus coverage for what they have eaten.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Agree - please contact the parents or physician. For us to try to interpret orders would be doing you a disservice.