A patient has a 10-year history of diabetes mellitus

The patient is admitted to the critical care unit with complaints of increased lethargy. Serum laboratory values validate the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following symptoms is most suggestive of DKA?

a. Irritability
b. Excessive thirst
c. Rapid weight gain
d. Peripheral edema


B
DKA has a predictable clinical presentation. It is usually preceded by patient complaints of malaise, headache, polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). Nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, dehydration, and weight loss follow. Central nervous system depression, with changes in the level of consciousness, can lead quickly to coma.

Nursing

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The client discovered a stone-hard lump during breast self-examination (BSE) that has been determined to be confined to the lobular unit without permeating the basement membrane

Rein-forcing the physician's explanation, the nurse would clarify that this type of tumor is a. intraductal carcinoma. b. infiltrating ductal carcinoma. c. lobular carcinoma in situ. d. tubular carcinoma.

Nursing

The nurse should recognize that a client who has urethritis should NOT be catheterized for what reason?

a. Inflammation in the infected tissue will in-crease. b. The infection could spread rapidly to the genital organs. c. Segmented bacteriologic localization cultures can be obtained. d. Voiding will flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract.

Nursing

While making rounds, a night supervisor finds a unit with a low census and too many staff members. The night supervisor is performing as a statutory supervisor when he or she:

a. Assigns nurses to care for specific clients. b. Develops a protocol for unlicensed personnel. c. Recommends transferring a nurse to another service. d. Teaches a nurse to use a new piece of equipment.

Nursing

A nurse is planning to provide culturally effective care to Mexican migrant farm workers. Which of the following strategies should be used by the nurse?

a. Learn how to speak Spanish to improve communication b. Understand that traditional beliefs and practices are more common among the well-educated population c. Consult the female head of household about health care matters d. Recognize that cultural backgrounds of the workers will vary depending on their place of origin

Nursing