Date of Award

Spring 2022

Document Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Committee Chairperson

Veronica Wilber, Ph.D

Committee Member

Dr. Jodie Reider, MD

Committee Member

Megan Mraz RN, PhD

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (steroids) are an integral part of chemotherapy treatment; however, steroids can cause hyperglycemia. There is no established protocol for the identification and treatment of steroid induced hyperglycemia in the literature. Literature does show steroid induced hyperglycemia is best identified by checking glucoses throughout the day following steroid administration. Furthermore, the best treatment for steroid induced hyperglycemia is basal/bolus insulin therapy. The prevalence of steroid induced hyperglycemia needs to be established to support the implementation of a steroid induced hyperglycemia protocol in oncology patients. A retrospective chart review of all patients 18 years and older admitted to Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant services over a three-month period was conducted to determine the prevalence of steroid induced hyperglycemia at a rural tertiary hospital. Results: Prevalence of steroid induced hyperglycemia was 37.9%. However, only 16.1% were ordered glucose monitoring throughout the day and only 18.6% received any antidiabetic medications during hospitalization.

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