A newly hired unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to a home healthcare team along with two experienced UAPs.

Which intervention should the home health nurse implement to ensure adequate care for all clients?

Choice A rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Suicidal ideation is not a diagnosis in itself but rather a symptom or thought process associated with various mental health conditions.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Suicidal ideation can occur in individuals of all age groups, not just in older adults. It is not limited to any specific age demographic.

Choice C rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Suicidal ideation does not always involve a detailed plan for self-harm. It can range from fleeting thoughts of self-harm to more detailed plans, but the severity can vary widely.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is accurate. Suicidal ideation can be a symptom of various underlying mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and others. It involves thoughts of self-harm or suicide, which may or may not be accompanied by specific plans.

Choice A rationale:

Correcting electrolytes that are out of normal range is a crucial goal of therapy for this client. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the body’s cells are unable to use glucose for energy due to a lack of insulin. This leads to the breakdown of fat for energy, producing ketones as a by-product. Ketones are acidic and can cause the blood’s pH to decrease, leading to metabolic acidosis. This process also leads to an increased production and excretion of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. Therefore, correcting these electrolyte imbalances is a key goal of therapy.

Choice B rationale:

While promoting oxygenation to tissues is generally important in critical care, it is not a specific goal in the management of DKA. The primary issues in DKA are metabolic in nature, including hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis.

Choice C rationale:

Preventing hyperventilation is not a specific goal in the management of DKA. Hyperventilation in DKA is a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis (Kussmaul breathing). The body tries to expel more carbon dioxide to reduce the acidity of the blood.

Choice D rationale:

Reversing dehydration is another important goal of therapy for this client. In DKA, high blood glucose levels lead to osmotic diuresis, where water is drawn into the urine from the blood, leading to dehydration. This can cause hypotension and reduced tissue perfusion. Therefore, reversing dehydration through fluid replacement is a key part of treatment.

Choice E rationale:

Replacing insulin is a fundamental goal of therapy for this client. Insulin deficiency is the primary cause of DKA. Insulin allows glucose to enter cells where it can be used for energy, preventing the breakdown of fat for energy and the subsequent production of ketones.

Choice F rationale:

Providing respiratory support may be necessary in severe cases of DKA where the patient’s compensatory respiratory efforts are insufficient to maintain adequate gas exchange. However, it is not one of the primary goals of therapy in DKA management.