Question

1. A 75-year-old client who has had Type I diabetes for 50 years tells the medical office assistant that she feels weak and shaky and would like some tea with sugar in it. The MOA does not observe any shaking. What action should the MOA take?  

2. The MOA is assisting a 50-year-old client with his glucose monitoring. He has a machine that gives an automatic reading. What step is taken prior to obtaining a drop of blood to ensure an accurate reading?

3. An MOA approaches a diabetic client to ask a question. The client's speech is slurred and he is combative towards the MOA. He also has a very unsteady gait. What action should the MOA take?

Answer 1

1st Answer: The medical office assistant should check the client's sugar levels since the client has said that she feels weak and shaky. Sugar could be given to the client only if the client has low blood sugar levels.

2nd Answer: The MOA should ensure that;

1. the glucose strips are within the expiry date limit. Also the strips that are being used should be kept away from moisture so that they are not contaminated.
2. the machine should be in a good working condition.
3. the client should wash their hands and then the MOA should disinfect the site before pricking for collection of drop blood.
4. ensure that only with a single prick, a drop of is collected.
5. make sure the drop of blood is placed on the correct site on the strip.

3rd Answer: The client displays signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and so the medical office assistant has to confirm the client's sugar levels by doing a blood glucose test before admistering any glucose to increase the blood glucose levels. The MOA should make the patient comfortable by making the patient be seated and also calm down the patient since the patient has unsteady gait and is in a combative mood. The MOA should be kind and approachable to the client.