Which data warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI)? Reference Range: Sodium [136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)].

Dry skin with inelastic turgor.

Apical rate of 110 beats/minute.

Serum sodium of 185 mEq/L (185 mmol/L).

Polyuria and excessive thirst.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Dry skin and inelastic turgor reflect dehydration in DI from antidiuretic hormone deficiency, causing water loss. This is less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which dehydrates brain cells, risking seizures or coma, requiring immediate fluid correction to prevent neurological damage in this critical condition.

Choice B reason: Tachycardia (110 beats/minute) compensates for hypovolemia in DI, where water loss reduces preload, triggering sympathetic activation. This is less critical than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which causes cerebral dehydration, necessitating urgent hypotonic fluids to prevent neurological complications, making heart rate secondary.

Choice C reason: Serum sodium of 185 mEq/L indicates severe hypernatremia in DI, where water loss concentrates sodium, dehydrating neurons and risking seizures or coma. Immediate IV hypotonic fluids (e.g., 5% dextrose) correct osmolarity, preventing life-threatening cerebral complications, addressing the urgent pathophysiological crisis in DI.

Choice D reason: Polyuria and thirst are hallmark DI symptoms from water loss but expected and less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which threatens neurological function via osmotic brain injury. Correcting sodium is critical to prevent seizures, making these symptoms secondary to urgent electrolyte management.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Cutting nails and soaking in antibiotic solution risks infection in insulin-dependent diabetes, where neuropathy impairs sensation and healing. Thick nails may be fungal, needing specialist care. Checking for injuries and referring to a podiatrist ensures safe management, preventing ulcers in high-risk diabetic feet.

Choice B reason: Checking for cuts assesses diabetic foot risk, as neuropathy and poor glycemic control impair healing. Thick nails piercing toes require podiatrist trimming to prevent trauma or infection. Referral ensures expert care, addressing pathophysiological risks of neuropathy and vascular impairment, preventing serious complications like ulcers.

Choice C reason: Soaking and cutting nails is risky in diabetes, as neuropathy increases injury risk, and warm water may introduce infection in unnoticed wounds. Fungal nails need specialist care. Referral to a podiatrist ensures safe trimming, preventing infection in compromised feet, making this action unsafe.

Choice D reason: Advising lotion to soften nails does not mitigate injury risk from trimming thick nails in diabetes. Neuropathy and poor healing increase infection risk from errors. Specialist referral ensures safe nail management, preventing trauma or ulceration, critical in diabetic foot care due to vascular deficits.

A. Measure capillary glucose level. B. Monitor for bloody diarrheal stools. C. Obtain vital signs measurements. D. Encourage ambulation in the room.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Measuring glucose monitors corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia, but a rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness suggests peritonitis, possibly from IBD-related perforation. Vital signs detect systemic effects like sepsis (e.g., tachycardia), more urgent than glucose, as perforation is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent shock.

Choice B reason: Monitoring bloody diarrhea is relevant in IBD, but a rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness indicates peritonitis, likely from perforation. Vital signs assess systemic stability (e.g., fever, hypotension), critical for detecting life-threatening complications like sepsis, making this more urgent than tracking expected IBD symptoms.

Choice C reason: A rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness suggests peritonitis from bowel perforation in IBD, causing peritoneal irritation. Vital signs (e.g., heart rate, BP, temperature) detect shock or infection, guiding urgent interventions like surgery or antibiotics. This assessment prioritizes rapid response to a potentially fatal surgical emergency.

Choice D reason: Encouraging ambulation is contraindicated with a rigid abdomen and rebound tenderness, indicating peritonitis. Movement may worsen peritoneal irritation or infection spread. Vital signs assess systemic compromise, critical for managing perforation, ensuring timely intervention to prevent sepsis or shock, making ambulation inappropriate.

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Which data warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI)? Reference Range: Sodium [136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)].

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An older adult client, who is insulin-dependent, arrives at the diabetic clinic with concerns of thick, crusty, and long toenails that are piercing the adjacent toes. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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