A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client with bleeding esophageal varices. Which of the following medications will the nurse anticipate a prescription for?

Choice A reason: Hypocalcemia is not a primary concern in DKA. While calcium levels may be affected by acidosis or treatment, hypokalemia is more critical due to insulin-driven potassium shifts and diuresis, posing greater risk for arrhythmias, making this a less urgent electrolyte imbalance to monitor.

Choice B reason: Hyponatremia may occur in DKA due to osmotic shifts from hyperglycemia, but it is less critical than hypokalemia. Potassium depletion from insulin therapy and diuresis poses immediate risks like arrhythmias, making hyponatremia a secondary concern in DKA management.

Choice C reason: Hypokalemia is a critical electrolyte imbalance in DKA, as insulin therapy drives potassium into cells, and osmotic diuresis causes urinary loss. Low potassium (below 3.5 mEq/L) risks cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness, requiring close monitoring and replacement to ensure patient safety during treatment.

Choice D reason: Hypomagnesemia may occur in DKA but is less common and critical than hypokalemia. Magnesium loss via diuresis is possible, but potassium’s role in cardiac and muscle function makes its monitoring more urgent to prevent life-threatening complications during DKA treatment.

Choice A reason: Hypertension is not a hallmark of diabetes insipidus, which causes hypovolemia from excessive water loss. DI leads to dilute urine and dehydration, often causing hypotension, not hypertension, as the body struggles to maintain vascular volume, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Tachycardia is a manifestation of diabetes insipidus due to hypovolemia from excessive water loss via dilute urine. The heart rate increases to compensate for reduced blood volume, maintaining cardiac output in response to dehydration, making this the correct finding.

Choice C reason: Hyperglycemia is associated with diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus. DI involves deficient antidiuretic hormone, leading to water loss, not glucose metabolism issues. Blood sugar levels remain unaffected, making this choice incorrect for DI manifestations.

Choice D reason: Bounding peripheral pulses are not typical in diabetes insipidus, where hypovolemia from water loss leads to weak pulses. Dehydration reduces vascular volume, causing thready pulses, not bounding ones, making this choice incorrect for the condition.