The nurse assesses the wound of a client who received sutures for a laceration of the hand two days ago. Which finding is a normal inflammatory response?

DKA is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The laboratory results consistent with DKA include:

Elevated blood glucose level: A blood glucose level of 525 mg/dL (28 mmol/L) is significantly elevated and consistent with DKA.

Low arterial blood pH: A decreased arterial blood pH indicates acidosis, which is characteristic of DKA. Normal arterial blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45.

Low bicarbonate (HCO3-) level: A low bicarbonate level indicates metabolic acidosis, which is also characteristic of DKA. Normal bicarbonate levels range from 21 to 28 mEq/L (21 to 28 mmol/L).

Among the options provided:

A) Arterial blood pH 7.5 and bicarbonate level 32 mEq/L (32 mmol/L):

This pH and bicarbonate level are indicative of alkalosis, which is not consistent with DKA.

B) Arterial blood pH 7.42 and bicarbonate level 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L):

This pH is within the normal range, and the bicarbonate level is slightly decreased but not indicative of metabolic acidosis consistent with DKA.

C) Arterial blood pH 7.25 and bicarbonate level 10 mEq/L (10 mmol/L):

Correct. This pH is decreased, indicating acidosis, and the bicarbonate level is significantly below the normal range, consistent with metabolic acidosis characteristic of DKA.

D) Arterial blood pH 7.38 and bicarbonate level 29 mEq/L (29 mmol/L):

While the pH is within the normal range, the bicarbonate level is elevated, which is not consistent with metabolic acidosis seen in DKA.

The atrioventricular (AV) node is an essential component of the cardiac conduction system responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. The inherent rate of the AV node refers to its intrinsic ability to generate electrical impulses in the absence of external influences.

Here's a breakdown of each option:

A) 40 to 60:

Correct. The inherent rate of the AV node is typically 40 to 60 beats per minute (bpm). This rate is slower than that of the sinoatrial (SA) node, which has an inherent rate of 60 to 100 bpm. The AV node acts as a backup pacemaker, ensuring that the ventricles receive electrical impulses even if the SA node fails to function properly.

B) 20 to 40:

This range is not consistent with the typical inherent rate of the AV node. A rate of 20 to 40 bpm would be unusually slow and could indicate significant conduction system abnormalities rather than the normal functioning of the AV node.

C) 60 to 80:

This range is more characteristic of the inherent rate of the SA node rather than the AV node. The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, and its inherent rate is typically 60 to 100 bpm.

D) 80 to 100:

Similar to option C, this range is more consistent with the inherent rate of the SA node rather than the AV node. The SA node typically has a faster intrinsic rate compared to the AV node.