What should a nursing assistant do if an insulin-dependent diabetic resident has not eaten breakfast?

The correct approach in this situation is to report the information. Insulin-dependent diabetics require careful management of their blood glucose levels, which are directly influenced by food intake. If a resident has not eaten breakfast, it can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar levels, especially if insulin has been administered or is scheduled to be administered.

By reporting the resident's lack of food intake, you ensure that a nurse or the healthcare team can take appropriate action. They may decide to monitor the resident more closely, adjust insulin dosages, or provide alternative meal options to meet the resident's nutritional needs and maintain blood sugar stability.

Encouraging the resident to eat later and documenting no food intake are important, but they are secondary actions that should come after notifying the appropriate medical staff. Administering additional insulin without food could lead to hypoglycemia and should never be done without a thorough assessment and direction from a qualified health professional.