Patient Data.
The client is a 29-year-old with a history of type 1 diabetes from the age of 6. She controls her blood glucose with an insulin pump and uses a continuous glucose monitor.
The client was out of town, and her insulin pump was damaged.
She had forgotten her back-up long-acting insulin at home, so she took the 6-hour drive home.
By the time she arrived at home, she was having nausea and vomiting.
Her blood glucose meter read over 500 mg/dL (27.8 mmol/L). She took a dose of insulin glargine and took herself to the emergency room.
0600.
Admit client to medical intensive care unit: diagnosis DKA.
Place peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter.
Blood gas every 2 hours, point of care blood glucose every hour.
Vital signs every hour.
Lactated Ringers IV at 125 mL/hr. NPO.
What are three goals of therapy for this client? Select three that apply.
Correct electrolytes that are out of normal range.
Promote oxygenation to tissues.
Prevent hyperventilation.
Reverse dehydration.
Replace insulin.
Provide respiratory support.
Correct Answer : A,D,E
Choice A rationale:
Correcting electrolytes that are out of normal range is a crucial goal of therapy for this client. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the body’s cells are unable to use glucose for energy due to a lack of insulin. This leads to the breakdown of fat for energy, producing ketones as a by-product. Ketones are acidic and can cause the blood’s pH to decrease, leading to metabolic acidosis. This process also leads to an increased production and excretion of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. Therefore, correcting these electrolyte imbalances is a key goal of therapy.
Choice B rationale:
While promoting oxygenation to tissues is generally important in critical care, it is not a specific goal in the management of DKA. The primary issues in DKA are metabolic in nature, including hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis.
Choice C rationale:
Preventing hyperventilation is not a specific goal in the management of DKA. Hyperventilation in DKA is a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis (Kussmaul breathing). The body tries to expel more carbon dioxide to reduce the acidity of the blood.
Choice D rationale:
Reversing dehydration is another important goal of therapy for this client. In DKA, high blood glucose levels lead to osmotic diuresis, where water is drawn into the urine from the blood, leading to dehydration. This can cause hypotension and reduced tissue perfusion. Therefore, reversing dehydration through fluid replacement is a key part of treatment.
Choice E rationale:
Replacing insulin is a fundamental goal of therapy for this client. Insulin deficiency is the primary cause of DKA. Insulin allows glucose to enter cells where it can be used for energy, preventing the breakdown of fat for energy and the subsequent production of ketones.
Choice F rationale:
Providing respiratory support may be necessary in severe cases of DKA where the patient’s compensatory respiratory efforts are insufficient to maintain adequate gas exchange. However, it is not one of the primary goals of therapy in DKA management.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choiced. Notify your healthcare provider if you start having abdominal pain.
Choice A rationale:
Exenatide does not act in the same way as insulin. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying.
Choice B rationale:
Exenatide should be injected within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals, not within 30 minutes before or after a meal.
Choice C rationale:
There are precautions about taking exenatide with other medications. It can affect the absorption of oral medications, so timing and interactions need to be considered.
Choice D rationale:
Abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis, a serious side effect of exenatide.It is important to notify the healthcare provider if this symptom occurs.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Procure platelet products from the blood bank. Rationale: Procuring platelet products from the blood bank is a specialized task that requires specific training and authorization. It should be performed by licensed healthcare providers, such as nurses or physicians, rather than unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Choice B rationale:
Titrate oxygen to the prescribed parameters. Rationale: Titrating oxygen to prescribed parameters requires clinical judgment and assessment skills, which are beyond the scope of practice for UAP. This task should be performed by licensed nurses or respiratory therapists.
Choice C rationale:
Monitor an intravenous infusion rate on an established schedule. Rationale: This is the correct answer. UAP can be trained to monitor intravenous (IV) infusion rates on an established schedule for clients who do not require complex adjustments. It is within their scope of practice to ensure that the IV is running at the prescribed rate and to report any abnormalities or concerns to the nursing staff.
Choice D rationale:
Insert a urinary catheter for an uncomplicated client. Rationale: Inserting a urinary catheter is a specialized nursing procedure that should only be performed by licensed nurses or healthcare providers. It is not within the scope of practice for UAP, even for uncomplicated cases.
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