A new mother on the postpartum unit runs out of the room screaming that her newborn infant's crib is empty and the baby is missing.

Which action should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

Hyperglycemia is a key symptom of DKA. It occurs when there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the body to allow glucose to enter cells for use as energy. As a result, the body begins to break down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones and causing blood glucose levels to rise1. Normal blood glucose levels are between 4.0 to 6.0 mmol/L when fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating2.

Choice B rationale:

Ketonuria, or the presence of ketones in the urine, is another symptom of DKA. When the body breaks down fat for energy, ketones are produced. If too many ketones build up in the blood, they can spill over into the urine1.

Choice C rationale:

Metabolic acidosis occurs in DKA due to the accumulation of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acidic, and when they build up in the blood, they cause the blood to become more acidic, leading to metabolic acidosis1.

Choice D rationale:

Hypokalemia is not a symptom of DKA. In fact, patients with DKA often have high potassium levels in their blood at presentation because acidosis causes potassium to move from inside the cells into the bloodstream1. However, during treatment for DKA, when insulin is administered and acidosis is corrected, potassium moves back into the cells and can lead to low potassium levels or hypokalemia1.

Choice E rationale:

Dehydration is a common symptom of DKA. High blood glucose levels lead to increased urination as the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose. This can result in dehydration1.

Choice F rationale:

Kussmaul respirations are a type of hyperventilation that occurs in DKA as the body tries to get rid of excess acids (ketones) through the lungs by breathing rapidly and deeply1.

Choice A rationale:

Assisting in discharging stable clients to home is not the most appropriate assignment when a mass casualty event has occurred. During such events, resources are needed for critically injured patients, and stable clients can typically be discharged by non-emergency staff.

Choice B rationale:

Determining the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the facility is the most appropriate assignment during a mass casualty event. This information is critical for allocating resources and providing the necessary level of care to those affected.

Choice C rationale:

Delegating tasks to emergency healthcare specialists may be necessary, but it is not the initial assignment for the nurse working on a medical-surgical unit. Assessing the situation and determining the acuity of incoming casualties take precedence.

Choice D rationale:

Providing informational updates to members of the media is not the role of a nurse during a mass casualty event. This task should be handled by hospital public relations or designated spokespersons to ensure accurate and controlled information dissemination.