A nurse is reinforcing teaching of a female client who has a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should include which of the following risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the teaching?

Choice A: Purple striations. These are also known as striae, and they are caused by the thinning and weakening of the skin and underlying connective tissue due to cortisol. They appear as purple or red lines on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, or arms.

Choice C: Buffalo hump. This is a term used to describe the accumulation of fat on the upper back and neck due to cortisol. It gives the appearance of a hump or a rounded shape.

Choice E: Moon face. This is a term used to describe the rounding and fullness of the face due to cortisol. It gives the

appearance of a moon-like shape.

Choice B: Tremors. These are not a clinical manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome, but rather a sign of hyperthyroidism, which is a condition caused by excess thyroid hormone production or exposure. Thyroid hormone affects the nervous system and causes increased muscle activity and tremors.

Choice D: Obese extremities. These are not a clinical manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome, but rather a sign of hypothyroidism, which is a condition caused by low thyroid hormone production or exposure. Thyroid hormone affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and causes decreased energy expenditure and weight gain.

Choice A: Potassium 2.5 mEq/L. This is the priority data collection finding that the nurse should identify according to the ABCDE principle, which prioritizes interventions based on airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. The nurse should identify potassium 2.5 mEq/L as the priority because it indicates hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates the electrical activity of the heart and muscles. Hypokalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and paralysis, which can be life-threatening.

Choice B: Blood glucose 150 mg/dL. This is not the priority data collection finding that the nurse should identify for a client who has acute gastroenteritis. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia, which is a high level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia can be caused by dehydration, stress, infection, or medication side effects.

Hyperglycemia can cause symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and fatigue. It can also lead to complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, which are serious but not as urgent as hypokalemia.

Choice C: Urine specific gravity 1.035. This is not the priority data collection finding that the nurse should identify for a client who has acute gastroenteritis. Urine specific gravity 1.035 indicates concentrated urine, which can be caused by dehydration or fluid loss. Dehydration can result from vomiting and diarrhea, which are common symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. Dehydration can cause symptoms such as dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, and oliguria. It can also lead to complications such as shock or kidney failure, which are serious but not as urgent as hypokalemia.

Choice D: Weight loss of 3% of total body weight. This is not the priority data collection finding that the nurse should identify for a client who has acute gastroenteritis. Weight loss of 3% of total body weight indicates mild to moderate dehydration, which can be caused by fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. Weight loss can also reflect loss of muscle mass or fat tissue due to malnutrition or inflammation. Weight loss can affect the client’s nutritional status and immune function, but it is not as urgent as hypokalemia.