ATI LPN Med Surg
ATI LPN Med Surg ( 24 Questions)
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing DKA?
Choice A: Rapid pulse. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia, which is a low level of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia can cause rapid pulse due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased cardiac output.
Choice B: Clammy skin. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause clammy skin due to increased sweating and vasoconstriction.
Choice C: Confusion. This is a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus that occurs when the body cannot use glucose as a fuel source and breaks down fat instead. This produces ketones, which are acidic byproducts that accumulate in the blood and urine. DKA can cause confusion due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and cerebral edema.
Choice D: Polydipsia. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hyperglycemia, which is a high level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia can cause polydipsia, which is excessive thirst, due to osmotic diuresis and dehydration.
Choice A: Rapid pulse. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia, which is a low level of glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia can cause rapid pulse due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased cardiac output.
Choice B: Clammy skin. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause clammy skin due to increased sweating and vasoconstriction.
Choice C: Confusion. This is a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus that occurs when the body cannot use glucose as a fuel source and breaks down fat instead. This produces ketones, which are acidic byproducts that accumulate in the blood and urine. DKA can cause confusion due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and cerebral edema.
Choice D: Polydipsia. This is not a finding that indicates that the client is experiencing DKA, but rather a sign of hyperglycemia, which is a high level of glucose in the blood. Hyperglycemia can cause polydipsia, which is excessive thirst, due to osmotic diuresis and dehydration.
