A 26-year-old woman is being evaluated for vomiting and abdominal pain. Which question from the nurse will be most useful in determining the cause of the patient's symptoms?

Use of a portable blood glucose monitor: The patient should be taught how to use a portable blood glucose monitor to check their blood glucose levels at home. This will help the patient monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin dose as necessary.

Hypoglycemia prevention, symptoms, and treatment: The patient should be taught about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) and how to treat it. This includes teaching the patient to consume 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or juice when experiencing hypoglycemia.

Insulin administration: The patient should be taught how to administer insulin, including the timing of injections and rotating injection sites. The patient should also be educated about the importance of taking insulin regularly and the potential consequences of missed doses.

Diet: The patient should be educated about healthy eating habits that include monitoring carbohydrate intake, eating regular meals, and spacing carbohydrates throughout the day. The patient does not need to eliminate sugar entirely from their diet, but rather to consume it in moderation and balance it with other food groups.

Physical activity: The patient should be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity but may need to adjust their insulin dose or carbohydrate intake to accommodate for the changes in blood glucose levels that may result from physical activity. Reducing physical activity is not necessary, but rather adjusting to it properly with proper monitoring of glucose levels.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. The initial management of DKA involves fluid resuscitation with intravenous normal saline to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, starting an infusion of normal saline at 125 ml/hr is the first prescribed action the nurse should implement.

Bringing the patient a meal is not a priority at this time because the patient's blood glucose levels need to be stabilized before they can safely consume food. Administering Lantus insulin IV and giving sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq IV push are also not the first-line treatments for DKA. Lantus insulin is a long-acting insulin used to treat hyperglycemia over an extended period and should not be given intravenously. Sodium bicarbonate may be used to correct acidosis, but it is not the first priority in DKA management.