An adult client is admitted to the psychiatric unit because of a daily, complex handwashing ritual that takes two hours or longer to complete.

The client worries about staying clean and refuses to sit on any of the chairs in the day area.

This client's handwashing is an example of which clinical behavior?

Choice A rationale:

Nosocomial transmission in the medical area. Rationale: Nosocomial transmission refers to infections that are acquired in healthcare settings. While it's essential for healthcare professionals to be aware of this risk, the client's presentation of diarrhea in a hurricane disaster area is more likely due to environmental factors rather than hospital-acquired infection.

Choice B rationale:

Food contamination from floodwaters. Rationale: In the aftermath of a hurricane, floodwaters can carry contaminants and pathogens, leading to food contamination. This is a significant concern, and the nurse should educate the client about the potential risks associated with consuming food exposed to floodwaters. However, the primary source of contamination for diarrhea is typically waterborne pathogens, which is addressed in choice C.

Choice C rationale:

Drinking water contaminated by sewage. Rationale: During natural disasters like hurricanes, sewage systems can become compromised, leading to the contamination of drinking water sources. This contamination poses a significant risk for diarrheal illnesses, as sewage often contains harmful pathogens. Therefore, the nurse should consider this as the most probable source of the client's exposure.

Choice D rationale:

Close living quarters at evacuation centers. Rationale: Close living quarters in evacuation centers can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, including diarrheal illnesses. However, in this scenario, the client's chief complaint is diarrhea, and the nurse should prioritize investigating potential sources of waterborne contamination, as this aligns more closely with the client's symptoms.

Choice A rationale:

Hyperglycemia is a key symptom of DKA. It occurs when there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the body to allow glucose to enter cells for use as energy. As a result, the body begins to break down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones and causing blood glucose levels to rise1. Normal blood glucose levels are between 4.0 to 6.0 mmol/L when fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating2.

Choice B rationale:

Ketonuria, or the presence of ketones in the urine, is another symptom of DKA. When the body breaks down fat for energy, ketones are produced. If too many ketones build up in the blood, they can spill over into the urine1.

Choice C rationale:

Metabolic acidosis occurs in DKA due to the accumulation of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acidic, and when they build up in the blood, they cause the blood to become more acidic, leading to metabolic acidosis1.

Choice D rationale:

Hypokalemia is not a symptom of DKA. In fact, patients with DKA often have high potassium levels in their blood at presentation because acidosis causes potassium to move from inside the cells into the bloodstream1. However, during treatment for DKA, when insulin is administered and acidosis is corrected, potassium moves back into the cells and can lead to low potassium levels or hypokalemia1.

Choice E rationale:

Dehydration is a common symptom of DKA. High blood glucose levels lead to increased urination as the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose. This can result in dehydration1.

Choice F rationale:

Kussmaul respirations are a type of hyperventilation that occurs in DKA as the body tries to get rid of excess acids (ketones) through the lungs by breathing rapidly and deeply1.