A client who is receiving radiation treatment for laryngeal cancer has developed xerostomia and mucositis.

The nurse determines the client has an imbalanced nutritional intake and is consuming less than body requirements.

Which factor is the most likely cause for this problem?

Choice A rationale:

Addiction involves a dependence on a substance or behavior that leads to withdrawal symptoms when the substance or behavior is discontinued. The client's handwashing behavior is not related to addiction.

Choice B rationale:

Phobia refers to an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation. While the client's avoidance of sitting on chairs in the day area may be related to anxiety, it does not represent a specific phobia.

Choice C rationale:

Compulsion is the correct answer because the client's handwashing ritual is an example of compulsive behavior. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules. In this case, the client is compelled to engage in the ritual to alleviate anxiety or distress.

Choice D rationale:

Obsession refers to persistent and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress and anxiety. While the client's handwashing ritual may be related to obsessive thoughts about cleanliness, the primary clinical behavior being exhibited is the compulsive handwashing itself.

Choice A rationale:

Hyperglycemia is a key symptom of DKA. It occurs when there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the body to allow glucose to enter cells for use as energy. As a result, the body begins to break down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones and causing blood glucose levels to rise1. Normal blood glucose levels are between 4.0 to 6.0 mmol/L when fasting and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating2.

Choice B rationale:

Ketonuria, or the presence of ketones in the urine, is another symptom of DKA. When the body breaks down fat for energy, ketones are produced. If too many ketones build up in the blood, they can spill over into the urine1.

Choice C rationale:

Metabolic acidosis occurs in DKA due to the accumulation of ketones in the blood. Ketones are acidic, and when they build up in the blood, they cause the blood to become more acidic, leading to metabolic acidosis1.

Choice D rationale:

Hypokalemia is not a symptom of DKA. In fact, patients with DKA often have high potassium levels in their blood at presentation because acidosis causes potassium to move from inside the cells into the bloodstream1. However, during treatment for DKA, when insulin is administered and acidosis is corrected, potassium moves back into the cells and can lead to low potassium levels or hypokalemia1.

Choice E rationale:

Dehydration is a common symptom of DKA. High blood glucose levels lead to increased urination as the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose. This can result in dehydration1.

Choice F rationale:

Kussmaul respirations are a type of hyperventilation that occurs in DKA as the body tries to get rid of excess acids (ketones) through the lungs by breathing rapidly and deeply1.