A client receiving pentamidine therapy has a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. Which action is most appropriate?

• A. Call for baseline vital signs
• B. Keep the infusion rate the same
• C. Notify physician about hypoglycemia and potential therapy change
• D. Administer insulin

Answer: (C)

When a client on pentamidine therapy has a blood glucose as low as 55 mg/dL, the critical issue is recognizing a potentially serious medication effect and escalating care appropriately. Pentamidine can cause hypoglycemia, and a glucose reading of 55 mg/dL indicates clinically significant hypoglycemia that requires prompt action beyond routine monitoring. The safest and most appropriate step is to notify the physician about the hypoglycemia and the possibility that pentamidine therapy may need to be altered or stopped. The physician can order appropriate treatment for hypoglycemia and decide whether to adjust or discontinue pentamidine, balancing the infection treatment with patient safety.

Calling for baseline vital signs won’t directly address the acute hypoglycemia, and keeping the infusion rate the same ignores the potential for ongoing or worsening hypoglycemia. Administering insulin would worsen the situation. If symptoms of hypoglycemia are present, immediate glucose administration per protocol would be essential, but the question focuses on the action most appropriate in response to the low glucose reading, which is notifying the physician for a therapy change.