A school nurse is assessing an adolescent who reports feeling shaky and is having difficulty speaking and concentrating on the questions the nurse is asking. The nurse checks the adolescent's blood glucose level and identifies a value of 55 mg/dL. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. "I will continue to check his blood sugar two times every day."

Correct Explanation: This statement indicates a need for further instruction.

Explanation: A child with type 1 diabetes requires frequent blood sugar monitoring, especially during illness. Checking blood sugar only twice a day is not sufficient, especially when the child has an upper respiratory infection. Illness can impact blood sugar levels, so more frequent monitoring is necessary to ensure proper diabetes management.

B. "I will report a change in her breathing or any signs of confusion."

Incorrect Explanation: This statement shows awareness of potential complications and the need to monitor for them.

Explanation: Children with type 1 diabetes are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) when they are sick. Changes in breathing patterns and signs of confusion are symptoms of DKA. Reporting these symptoms is important, as it could indicate a serious diabetic complication.

C. "I will encourage her to drink half a cup of water or sugar-free fluid every 30 minutes."

Incorrect Explanation: This statement demonstrates proper fluid management, especially during illness.

Explanation: Encouraging the child to stay hydrated with sugar-free fluids is essential, particularly when the child has an upper respiratory infection. Proper hydration helps prevent dehydration, which can be more concerning for a child with diabetes.

D. "I will notify the doctor if her temperature is not controlled by acetaminophen."

Incorrect Explanation: This statement shows an understanding of the importance of managing fever in a child with diabetes.

Explanation: Children with diabetes can experience difficulty managing blood sugar levels when they're sick. Fever can exacerbate this issue. Using acetaminophen to control fever is appropriate, and notifying the doctor if fever persists is a responsible action.

A) Absence of proteinuria:

Chronic glomerulonephritis often involves damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys, which can lead to the leakage of protein into the urine, resulting in proteinuria. The absence of proteinuria would be an unexpected finding in a patient with chronic glomerulonephritis. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

B) Serum phosphorus 4.0 mg/dL (within expected reference range):

Serum phosphorus levels within the expected reference range are not directly related to chronic glomerulonephritis. While abnormalities in electrolyte levels might occur due to kidney dysfunction, serum phosphorus within the normal range is not a hallmark finding of glomerulonephritis. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

C) Serum potassium 3.8 mEq/L (within the expected reference range):

Similar to serum phosphorus, serum potassium levels within the normal range are not specific to chronic glomerulonephritis. Kidney dysfunction can indeed affect electrolyte levels, but a serum potassium level within the normal range doesn't provide specific information about glomerulonephritis. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

D) BUN 50 mg/dL (elevated):

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a waste product that is filtered by the kidneys. Elevated BUN levels indicate impaired kidney function, as the kidneys are less efficient at filtering and excreting waste products. Chronic glomerulonephritis can lead to progressive kidney damage, which can result in elevated BUN levels due to decreased filtration and clearance. Therefore, an elevated BUN level is an expected finding in a patient with chronic glomerulonephritis.