What should be monitored in patients receiving dextrose?

• A. Monitor potassium levels
• B. Check blood pressure every 15 minutes
• C. Monitor urine output
• D. Recheck BGL frequently

Answer: (D)

Dextrose infusions deliver glucose directly into the bloodstream, so the most important thing to monitor is the patient’s blood glucose level and do so frequently. Checking blood glucose often lets you detect and treat hyperglycemia by adjusting the infusion rate or adding insulin, and it also helps catch hypoglycemia if the infusion is interrupted or if the patient’s glucose regulation is impaired. While other parameters like potassium, urine output, or blood pressure can be important in certain situations, they don’t address the immediate risk associated with dextrose administration as directly as frequent blood glucose checks.