The nurse reads the chart for a client with diabetes. The chart indicates 'history of autonomic neuropathy.' The nurse knows that autonomic neuropathy may cause which symptoms?

Choice A reason: Weight loss is a common clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps the cells use glucose for energy. Without insulin, the glucose stays in the blood and causes high blood sugar levels. The body then breaks down fat and muscle for energy, resulting in weight loss.

Choice B reason: Low urine output is not a typical clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. In fact, the opposite is true: high urine output is a sign of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This is because the excess glucose in the blood draws water from the cells and tissues, causing dehydration and increased thirst. The kidneys then try to flush out the glucose and water through urine, leading to frequent urination.

Choice C reason: Weight gain is not a usual clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. As explained in choice A, type 1 diabetes mellitus causes weight loss due to the lack of insulin and the breakdown of fat and muscle. Weight gain can be a sign of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is a condition where the cells become resistant to insulin and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to overcome the resistance. Weight gain can also be a side effect of insulin therapy, which is used to treat both types of diabetes mellitus.

Choice D reason: Hand tremors are not a specific clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. Hand tremors can be caused by many factors, such as anxiety, stress, caffeine, medication, or neurological disorders. Hand tremors can also be a symptom of hypoglycemia, which is a condition of low blood sugar that can occur in people with diabetes mellitus. However, hypoglycemia is not exclusive to diabetes mellitus, and can affect anyone who has a low intake of food, a high expenditure of energy, or a high dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.

Choice A reason: A serum potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L is not a common side effect of furosemide, but of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a condition where the blood potassium level is too high. It can cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the urinary excretion of water, sodium, chloride, and potassium. It can cause hypokalemia, which is a low blood potassium level, not hyperkalemia.

Choice B reason: A serum sodium level of 142 mEq/L is not a common side effect of furosemide, but of normal sodium level. The normal range of serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions in the body. Furosemide can cause hyponatremia, which is a low blood sodium level, but not a normal sodium level.

Choice C reason: A serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L is also not a common side effect of furosemide, but of normal sodium level. As explained in choice B, the normal range of serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L. Furosemide can cause hyponatremia, which is a low blood sodium level, but not a normal sodium level.

Choice D reason: A serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is a common side effect of furosemide, and of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition where the blood potassium level is too low. It can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, arrhythmias, and paralysis. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the urinary excretion of water, sodium, chloride, and potassium. It can cause hypokalemia, which is a low blood potassium level. The nurse should monitor the client's serum potassium level and signs of hypokalemia, and advise the client to eat potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, oranges, and potatoes. The nurse should also report the lab value to the prescriber, who may adjust the dose of furosemide or prescribe a potassium supplement.