A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and is receiving an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride and insulin. Two hours later, the client's serum laboratory results show a decrease in the serum blood glucose from 580 to 430 mg/dL (32.2 to 23.86 mmol/L). It is most
important for the nurse to monitor which additional laboratory result?
Reference Range
Serum potassium.
Urine ketones.
Serum sodium.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
The Correct Answer is A
A. Serum potassium. Insulin therapy causes potassium to move into cells, which can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring serum potassium is critical because significant drops can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other complications.
B. Urine ketones. While monitoring ketones is important for assessing the resolution of DKA, it is not as immediately critical as monitoring potassium levels.
C. Serum sodium. Sodium levels are important but typically do not change as rapidly as potassium levels during DKA treatment.
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). BUN levels provide information about kidney function and hydration status but are less immediately critical than potassium levels in the context of insulin therapy for DKA.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Histamine 2-receptor antagonists do not directly neutralize hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. Instead, they reduce acid secretion by blocking the histamine 2 receptors on parietal cells, thereby decreasing the production of gastric acid.
B. This describes the mechanism of action of anticholinergic medications, not histamine 2- receptor antagonists.
C. Histamine 2-receptor antagonists do not have antimicrobial properties and are not used to destroy microorganisms causing stomach inflammation. They primarily target acid secretion.
D. This is the correct purpose of histamine 2-receptor antagonists. They work by blocking the action of histamine on parietal cells in the stomach, leading to a reduction in the secretion of hydrochloric acid. This helps in the management of peptic ulcer disease and other conditions related to excessive gastric acid secretion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. This action pertains more to discussions about advance care planning and end-of-life preferences, which may be important but are not directly related to assessing the client's functional status.
B. Episodes of sundowning are associated with changes in behavior, confusion, and agitation in some individuals with dementia, particularly in the late afternoon or evening. While important to assess in certain contexts, it is not directly related to evaluating the client's physical strength and mobility.
C. Asking the client to lie still does not provide information about their functional status or ability to perform activities of daily living.
D. This is the most appropriate action because it directly addresses the client's reported decreased strength and assesses the impact on their functional ability. Falls are a common consequence of reduced strength and mobility in older adults and can provide valuable information about the client's current physical function and safety.
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