The nurse is teaching an adult patient with Type 1 diabetes that a primary cause of the development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is:
Omitted meals
Polydipsia and polyphagia
Not taking enough insulin
An insulin overdose
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Omitted meals can lead to hypoglycemia, not diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is caused by a lack of insulin, not a lack of food intake.
Choice B rationale
Polydipsia and polyphagia are symptoms of hyperglycemia, not causes of DKA. They occur as the body tries to compensate for high blood sugar levels.
Choice C rationale
Not taking enough insulin is a primary cause of the development of DKA. Without enough insulin, the body begins to break down fat for fuel, which produces acids known as ketones.
Choice D rationale
An insulin overdose would lead to hypoglycemia, not DKA. DKA is caused by a lack of insulin, not an excess.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Limiting intake to non-caloric containing liquids until the glucose is within normal limits is not the best advice for a patient with Type 1 diabetes reporting a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL and symptoms of a sore throat, cough, and fever. While it’s important to stay hydrated, especially when sick, it’s also crucial to maintain a balanced diet to provide the body with necessary nutrients for recovery.
Choice B rationale
Decreasing intake of carbohydrates until blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL is not recommended. Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy, and reducing their intake could lead to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring blood glucose levels every 4 hours and notifying the doctor if it continues to rise is the best advice. When a patient with diabetes is sick, their blood glucose levels can rise due to the stress the body is under. Regular monitoring allows for timely adjustments in insulin dosage and helps prevent diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication.
Choice D rationale
Administering only the morning prescribed dose of insulin is not advisable. Insulin requirements can increase when a person with diabetes is sick. Therefore, sticking to the regular insulin regimen without adjustments could lead to high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While obtaining a full set of vital signs is an important part of assessing a patient’s condition, it should not be the initial action in this case. The symptoms described by the patient suggest hypoglycemia, which requires immediate confirmation and treatment.
Choice B rationale
Administering 1 mg glucagon subcutaneously is not the initial action. Glucagon is used to treat severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unable to take glucose orally. However, the patient’s blood glucose level should be checked first.
Choice C rationale
Administering 25 mL of 50% dextrose is not the initial action. This treatment is used for severe hypoglycemia, but the patient’s blood glucose level should be checked first to confirm hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining a blood glucose reading is the correct initial action. The symptoms described by the patient suggest hypoglycemia. Checking the blood glucose level will confirm whether the patient is hypoglycemic and needs treatment.
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