What should be monitored in clients on continuous insulin infusion?

Monitoring hourly blood glucose levels in clients receiving continuous insulin infusion is essential for ensuring effective glycemic control. Continuous insulin infusion allows for precise regulation of blood glucose, but it also requires regular assessment to avoid complications such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Frequent monitoring ensures that insulin delivery is adjusted based on the current levels, which can fluctuate, especially in a hospital setting where patients might experience stress and varying nutritional intake.

In contrast, while daily weight changes, kidney function tests, and chest X-rays can be important for other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, they are not the primary focus in monitoring the efficacy and safety of continuous insulin administration. Daily weight changes could be relevant for evaluating fluid status over time, kidney function tests may be used to assess renal health but aren’t directly connected to insulin infusion management and chest X-rays are not pertinent to blood glucose management. Therefore, the priority in this scenario is to keep close tabs on blood glucose levels to ensure optimal management of the patient's condition while on insulin therapy.