Which lab values would you expect to see when a patient with type 1 diabetes presents in ketoacidosis?
Increased serum bicarbonate
Decreased serum potassium
Urine pH 4.0 (expected range 4.5 to 8)
Serum pH of 7.5 (expected range 7.35 to 7.45)
The Correct Answer is C
A. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), serum bicarbonate is typically decreased, not increased. The decrease is due to metabolic acidosis resulting from the accumulation of ketones.
B. Serum potassium is often elevated in DKA initially due to the shift of potassium from inside the cells to the bloodstream as a result of acidosis. However, potassium levels may drop with treatment, especially with insulin administration, which drives potassium back into cells.
C. Urine pH in DKA is often acidic due to the presence of ketones, which are acidic byproducts of fat metabolism. A urine pH of 4.0 indicates aciduria, which is consistent with ketoacidosis.
D. Serum pH in DKA is typically low (below 7.35), indicating acidosis. A serum pH of 7.5 would suggest alkalosis, which is not typical of DKA.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Dyspnea is the term used to describe the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. It is the most appropriate term to document when a client reports feeling unable to get enough air.
B. Aspiration refers to the inhalation of food, liquid, or foreign material into the airway, which may lead to choking or aspiration pneumonia, not a sensation of shortness of breath.
C. Hemoptysis is the coughing up of blood, which is not described in the client's report.
D. Orthopnea is shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat and is typically seen in conditions like heart failure. The client’s description does not specify that the symptoms occur while lying down.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Weakness, vomiting, hypotension, and mental confusion may occur in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), but these are more acute signs of severe complications rather than early symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
B. Vomiting, abdominal pain, sweet fruity breath, dehydration, and Kussmaul breathing are signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication that typically develops after the onset of type 1 diabetes, not early symptoms.
C. Polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), polyphagia (excessive hunger), weight loss, and fatigue are classic early signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes due to the body's inability to regulate blood glucose levels properly.
D. Recurrent infections, visual changes, and paresthesia (numbness or tingling) are typically associated with long-term, poorly controlled diabetes, not early signs of type 1 diabetes.
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