A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic acidosis due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Which of the following manifestations should the nurse monitor?

Kussmaul respirations.

Bradypnea.

Muscle spasms.

Numbness and tingling of extremities.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:

Kussmaul respirations are a type of deep, rapid breathing that occurs in response to metabolic acidosis. The body tries to compensate for the excess acid by blowing off carbon dioxide through the lungs. Kussmaul respirations are a common manifestation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a severe form of metabolic acidosis caused by the accumulation of ketones in the blood. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate, depth, and pattern, as well as the arterial blood gas results, to assess the severity of metabolic acidosis and the effectiveness of treatment.

Choice B reason:

Bradypnea is a condition of abnormally slow breathing, usually less than 12 breaths per minute. Bradypnea can result from respiratory acidosis, which is a condition of excess carbon dioxide in the blood due to hypoventilation or impaired gas exchange. Bradypnea is not a manifestation of metabolic acidosis, which is a condition of excess acid in the blood due to increased production or decreased elimination of hydrogen ions. Therefore, choice B is incorrect.

Choice C reason:

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the skeletal muscles that can cause pain and discomfort. Muscle spasms can result from hypocalcemia, which is a condition of low calcium levels in the blood. Hypocalcemia can occur in metabolic acidosis due to the binding of calcium with excess hydrogen ions, reducing the availability of free calcium for muscle contraction. However, muscle spasms are not a specific or common manifestation of metabolic acidosis, and they can have other causes such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or muscle injury. Therefore, choice C is incorrect.

Choice D reason:

Numbness and tingling of extremities are sensations of reduced or abnormal feeling in the arms or legs. Numbness and tingling can result from hypokalemia, which is a condition of low potassium levels in the blood. Hypokalemia can occur in metabolic acidosis due to the movement of potassium from the intracellular to the extracellular space in exchange for hydrogen ions, which are then excreted by the kidneys. However, numbness and tingling are not specific or common manifestations of metabolic acidosis, and they can have other causes such as nerve compression, peripheral neuropathy, or hyperventilation. Therefore, choice D is incorrect.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Decreased urine specific gravity indicates improvement in hydration status. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. It reflects the ability of the kidney to concentrate or dilute urine. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates concentrated urine, which can be caused by dehydration, reduced renal blood flow, or increased fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.010) indicates diluted urine, which can be caused by overhydration, diuretic use, or impaired renal function. A normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.010 to 1.030.

Choice B reason:

Increased hematocrit level indicates worsening of dehydration. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. It is affected by the plasma volume and the number of red blood cells. A high hematocrit (>47% for males and >42% for females) indicates hemoconcentration, which can be caused by dehydration, polycythemia, or hypoxia. A low hematocrit (<37% for males and <32% for females) indicates hemodilution, which can be caused by overhydration, anemia, or hemorrhage. A normal hematocrit ranges from 37% to 47% for males and 32% to 42% for females.

Choice C reason:

Decreased skin turgor indicates persistent dehydration. Skin turgor is the elasticity of the skin that reflects its hydration status. It is assessed by pinching a fold of skin on the chest, abdomen, or forearm and releasing it. Normally, the skin should return to its original position in less than 3 seconds. If the skin remains elevated or takes longer to return, it indicates poor skin turgor, which can be caused by dehydration, aging, or edema.

Choice D reason:

Increased serum osmolarity indicates worsening of dehydration. Serum osmolarity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood plasma. It reflects the balance between water and electrolytes in the body fluids. A high serum osmolarity (>300 mOsm/kg) indicates hyperosmolarity, which can be caused by dehydration, hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, or mannitol infusion. A low serum osmolarity (<280 mOsm/kg) indicates hypoosmolarity, which can be caused by overhydration, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), or diuretic use. A normal serum osmolarity ranges from 280 to 300 mOsm/kg.

A. Serum glucose 600 mg/dL. B. Serum bicarbonate 28 mEq/L. C. Serum potassium 2.5 mEq/L. D. Serum sodium 150 mEq/L.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Serum glucose 600 mg/dL. This is an expected finding for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) DKA results from a deficiency of insulin, which leads to hyperglycemia and ketosis. The normal range for serum glucose is 70 to 110 mg/dL.

Choice B reason:

Serum bicarbonate 28 mEq/L. This is not an expected finding for a client who has DKA. A client who has DKA experiences ketosis, which results in ketones in the urine and blood. The nurse should expect a client who has DKA to have an HCO3- less than 15 mEq/L. This decreased value is due to an increased production of ketones, which results in metabolic acidosis. The normal range for serum bicarbonate is 22 to 26 mEq/L.

Choice C reason:

Serum potassium 2.5 mEq/L. This is not an expected finding for a client who has DKA. A client who has DKA experiences osmotic diuresis and subsequent dehydration, which can cause electrolyte imbalances. The nurse should expect a client who has DKA to have elevated serum potassium levels due to the movement of potassium from the intracellular to the extracellular space in response to acidosis. The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L.

Choice D reason:

Serum sodium 150 mEq/L. This is not an expected finding for a client who has DKA. A client who has DKA experiences osmotic diuresis and subsequent dehydration, which can cause electrolyte imbalances. The nurse should expect a client who has DKA to have decreased serum sodium levels due to the dilutional effect of excess glucose in the blood. The normal range for serum sodium is 136 to 145 mEq/L.

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