A 50-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and obesity is sta… | MyMerci
Medical Emergencies PA
Question

A 50-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and obesity is starting semaglutide 0.25 mg subcutaneous once weekly (titrated). Which teaching is most appropriate?

Explanation
GLP-1 receptor agonists — patient teaching
GLP-1 receptor agonists: semaglutide (Ozempic SC weekly·Rybelsus oral daily·Wegovy SC weekly weight loss); liraglutide (Victoza SC daily·Saxenda); dulaglutide (Trulicity SC weekly); exenatide (Byetta·Bydureon); tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound, dual GIP/GLP-1).

Mechanism: increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decrease glucagon, slow gastric emptying, increase satiety. Lower BG, weight loss, cardiovascular and renal benefits in T2DM.

Key teaching:
Once-weekly SC injection on the same day each week·any time of day·with or without meals·rotate abdomen/thigh/upper arm.
GI side effects:nausea (common), decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating — peak during titration·usually improve. Eat smaller meals·hydrate·avoid high-fat meals·report severe/persistent.
Pancreatitis warning:severe abdominal pain radiating to back·persistent vomiting → stop·notify provider.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) — boxed warning:contraindicated in personal/family history of MTC or MEN-2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2)·report neck mass, hoarseness, dysphagia, dyspnea.
Hypoglycemia LOW as monotherapy·increased with insulin/sulfonylurea.
• Gallbladder disease·diabetic retinopathy progression (with rapid A1c drop).
• Weight loss is an EXPECTED therapeutic effect (positive) — do not stop because of weight loss·titrate per protocol.
• Do NOT use for acute hypoglycemia rescue — that is glucagon or D50W.

In-depth explanation

Clinical reasoning summary
GLP-1 receptor agonists — patient teaching
GLP-1 receptor agonists: semaglutide (Ozempic SC weekly·Rybelsus oral daily·Wegovy SC weekly weight loss); liraglutide (Victoza SC daily·Saxenda); dulaglutide (Trulicity SC weekly); exenatide (Byetta·Bydureon); tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound, dual GIP/GLP-1).

Mechanism: increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion, decrease glucagon, slow gastric emptying, increase satiety. Lower BG, weight loss, cardiovascular and renal benefits in T2DM.

Key teaching:
Once-weekly SC injection on the same day each week·any time of day·with or without meals·rotate abdomen/thigh/upper arm.
GI side effects:nausea (common), decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating — peak during titration·usually improve. Eat smaller meals·hydrate·avoid high-fat meals·report severe/persistent.
Pancreatitis warning:severe abdominal pain radiating to back·persistent vomiting → stop·notify provider.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) — boxed warning:contraindicated in personal/family history of MTC or MEN-2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2)·report neck mass, hoarseness, dysphagia, dyspnea.
Hypoglycemia LOW as monotherapy·increased with insulin/sulfonylurea.
• Gallbladder disease·diabetic retinopathy progression (with rapid A1c drop).
• Weight loss is an EXPECTED therapeutic effect (positive) — do not stop because of weight loss·titrate per protocol.
• Do NOT use for acute hypoglycemia rescue — that is glucagon or D50W.
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