A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The nurse notes the following:

Exhibits

When planning care for this client, the nurse should anticipate a provider's prescription for which of the following?

Choice A reason: The onset of low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, usually occurs rapidly and can be triggered by skipping meals, exercising too much, or taking too much insulin. The nurse should teach the parents to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat it promptly.

Choice B reason: Feeling shaky is one of the common signs of low blood glucose, along with hunger, sweating, dizziness, confusion, and irritability. The nurse should teach the parents to check the child's blood glucose level and give him a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice, candy, or glucose tablets, if it is below 70 mg/dL.

Choice C reason: Sweating can occur with low blood glucose, not high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can cause symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, blurred vision, and fatigue. The nurse should teach the parents to monitor the child's blood glucose level regularly and adjust his insulin dose, diet, and exercise accordingly.

Choice D reason: Nausea and vomiting can occur with high blood glucose, especially if it leads to diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis can also cause abdominal pain, fruity breath, rapid breathing, and coma. The nurse should teach the parents to seek emergency medical attention if the child has these symptoms.

Choice A reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. A pressure dressing is applied to the site of the catheter insertion to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation. If the dressing is saturated with bloody drainage, it indicates that the bleeding is not controlled and may lead to hemorrhage or infection.

Choice B reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. Pulses of the extremity where the catheter was inserted should be equal to or stronger than the other extremity. If the pulses are diminished, it indicates that there is impaired blood flow to the extremity, which may be caused by arterial occlusion, thrombosis, or vasospasm.

Choice C reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. The color and temperature of the extremity where the catheter was inserted should be similar to the other extremity. If the extremity is cool and pale, it indicates that there is inadequate perfusion to the extremity, which may be caused by the same factors as the diminished pulses.

Choice D reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. Pain is an indicator of tissue damage or inflammation. The adolescent should have minimal or no pain after the procedure, as the site is numbed with local anesthesia. If the pain is present or increases, it indicates that there is a complication, such as bleeding, infection, or nerve injury.

Choice E reason: This is not a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. The apical pulse is the heart rate measured at the apex of the heart. It is a routine vital sign that the nurse should monitor after the procedure, but it is not a sign of a complication unless it is abnormal, such as too fast, too slow, or irregular. The nurse should compare the apical pulse with the baseline and the expected range for the adolescent's age and condition.