A nurse is providing care for several clients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following clients is most at risk for developing hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS)?
A client admitted for hip fracture surgery.
A client who is awaiting cataract surgery.
A client who is receiving an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection.
A client who is being evaluated for a breast lump.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
A client admitted for hip fracture surgery is at risk for various complications, but not specifically for hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). HHS is more commonly triggered by infections, severe dehydration, or other acute illnesses. While surgery can be a stressor, it is not as directly linked to HHS as infections are.
Choice B reason:
A client who is awaiting cataract surgery is not typically at high risk for developing HHS. Cataract surgery is generally a planned and controlled procedure that does not usually involve the acute stressors or infections that can precipitate HHS.
Choice C reason:
A client who is receiving an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection is at a higher risk for developing HHS. Infections are a common precipitating factor for HHS because they can cause significant stress on the body, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. The body’s response to infection can exacerbate hyperglycemia, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Choice D reason:
A client who is being evaluated for a breast lump is not typically at high risk for HHS. While the evaluation process can be stressful, it does not usually involve the acute physiological stressors or infections that are more directly linked to the development of HHS.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Acetaminophen is often used to manage pain and fever associated with pericarditis. It is a common analgesic and antipyretic that helps alleviate discomfort without causing significant gastrointestinal side effects. However, it does not have anti-inflammatory properties, so it is typically used in conjunction with other medications that address inflammation.
Choice B Reason:
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent various types of serious irregular heartbeats, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. It is not typically used for treating pericarditis, as it does not address the inflammation or pain associated with the condition.
Choice C Reason:
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is effective in reducing inflammation and pain associated with pericarditis. NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for pericarditis to help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. Indomethacin, along with other NSAIDs like ibuprofen, is often part of the first-line treatment for this condition.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia refers to a low level of potassium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and arrhythmias, but it is not directly related to Kussmaul breathing. Hypokalemia can occur in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to the loss of potassium in urine, but it is not the primary cause of Kussmaul breathing. Kussmaul breathing is a deep, labored breathing pattern that occurs as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis, not directly due to low potassium levels.
Choice B reason: Metabolic Alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis is a condition characterized by an elevated pH in body tissues due to an excess of bicarbonate or a loss of acid. It is the opposite of metabolic acidosis. Kussmaul breathing is specifically a response to metabolic acidosis, not alkalosis. Therefore, metabolic alkalosis is not related to Kussmaul breathing.
Choice C reason: Lipolysis
Lipolysis is the metabolic process of breaking down lipids (fats) into free fatty acids and glycerol. This process is accelerated in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to the lack of insulin, leading to the production of ketone bodies, which contribute to metabolic acidosis. While lipolysis is a part of the pathophysiology of DKA, it is not directly related to Kussmaul breathing. Kussmaul breathing is a compensatory mechanism for the acidosis caused by the accumulation of ketone bodies.
Choice D reason: Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In DKA, the lack of insulin leads to elevated blood glucose levels and the breakdown of fats into ketones, causing metabolic acidosis. Kussmaul breathing is the body’s attempt to compensate for this acidosis by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to expel more carbon dioxide, thereby reducing the acidity of the blood. Therefore, hyperglycemia is directly related to the occurrence of Kussmaul breathing in DKA.
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