NCLEX-PN cheat sheet
Diabetes care: quick reference
Hypoglycemia versus hyperglycemia, and sick-day rules.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 2 November 2026
Hypoglycemia versus ketoacidosis
| Feature | Hypoglycemia | Diabetic ketoacidosis |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Skin | Cold, clammy | Warm, dry |
| Breathing | Normal | Deep, rapid, fruity odor |
| Glucose | Below 70 mg/dL | Usually above 250 mg/dL |
| Treatment | 15 g fast carbohydrate | Fluids, insulin, potassium monitoring |
Sick-day rules
- ·Continue insulin even if eating less.
- ·Check glucose more often, every 2 to 4 hours.
- ·Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
- ·Call the provider for vomiting, persistent high readings, or ketones.
- ·Keep easy-to-digest carbohydrate foods on hand.
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes