A nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage liver disease and is being placed on a transplant list. Which of the following statements by the client is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

• Urine ketones:

They are commonly present in DKA due to the breakdown of fats as an alternative energy source when insulin is insufficient. Ketones in urine are a hallmark sign of DKA.

Ketones may not be present in urine in HHS because insulin levels are sufficient to prevent excessive breakdown of fats. Therefore, urine ketones are more specific to DKA.

• Creatinine greater than expected reference range

DKA: In DKA, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI), resulting in elevated creatinine levels.

HHS: Elevated creatinine can also occur in HHS due to severe dehydration and reduced kidney perfusion.

• Blood glucose greater than expected reference range:

DKA: Extremely high blood glucose levels (typically >250 mg/dL) are a hallmark of DKA due to insulin deficiency and the resultant inability to transport glucose into cells for energy.

HHS: Similar to DKA, HHS is characterized by extremely high blood glucose levels (often >600 mg/dL). Therefore, elevated blood glucose levels are consistent with both DKA and HHS.

• Skin turgor

DKA: Decreased skin turgor is indicative of dehydration, which is common in DKA due to excessive urination (polyuria) and fluid loss.

HHS: Similarly, decreased skin turgor can also be seen in HHS due to profound dehydration caused by excessive hyperglycemia and osmotic diuresis.

• Blood pH greater than expected reference range

DKA: DKA is characterized by metabolic acidosis, leading to a decreased blood pH (<7.35). Therefore, a pH greater than expected reference range would not be typical for DKA.

HHS: HHS, on the other hand, is characterized by severe hyperglycemia without significant ketoacidosis. Patients with HHS can have a normal or even elevated blood pH (>7.45) due to compensation mechanisms and absence of significant acidosis.

D. Edema is expected in the initial hours and days following major burns and can be particularly pronounced in full-thickness burns due to extensive tissue damage and inflammation.

A Initially, full-thickness burns may not be as painful due to nerve damage; however, surrounding areas with partial-thickness burns or areas where nerve endings are intact can be extremely painful. The absence of severe pain at the site of full-thickness burns is common initially due to nerve damage, but pain management is crucial as inflammation progresses.

B. Full-thickness burns typically involve destruction of the entire epidermis and dermis, leading to the absence of blisters. Blisters are characteristic of partial-thickness burns, where the epidermis is partially damaged but not completely destroyed.

C. Epithelialization refers to the process of new skin cells migrating and covering the wound, a process that occurs during the later stages of wound healing. In the acute phase of full-thickness burns, epithelialization does not occur because the skin layers are completely destroyed. This process starts later once the wound has been adequately debrided and begins to heal.