A patient diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has the following laboratory values: arterial pH 7.2; serum glucose 500 mg/dL; positive urine glucose and ketones; serum potassium 2 mEq/L; serum sodium 130 mEq/L. The patient reports that he has been sick with the “flu” for 1 week. What relationship do these values have to his insulin deficiency?
Increased glucose use causes the shift of fluid from the intravascular to the intracellular spaces
Decreased glucose use results in protein catabolism, tissue wasting, respiratory acidosis, and electrolyte loss
Increased glucose and fatty acids stimulate renal diuresis, electrolyte loss, and metabolic acidosis
Decreased glucose use causes fatty acid use, ketogenesis, metabolic acidosis, and osmotic diuresis
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Increased glucose use doesn’t occur in DKA; insulin deficiency reduces glucose uptake. Fluid shifts are due to osmotic diuresis, not intravascular to intracellular movement, so this is incorrect for DKA’s mechanism.
Choice B reason: DKA involves metabolic, not respiratory, acidosis from ketones. Protein catabolism occurs, but fatty acid use and ketogenesis are primary, leading to acidosis and diuresis, so this is incorrect.
Choice C reason: Increased glucose and fatty acids contribute, but the mechanism is decreased glucose use causing ketogenesis. This option omits ketogenesis, a key DKA feature, so it’s less precise and incorrect.
Choice D reason: Insulin deficiency in DKA reduces glucose use, leading to fatty acid breakdown, ketogenesis, metabolic acidosis (pH 7.2), and osmotic diuresis (electrolyte loss). This fully explains the lab values, making it correct.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Platelet plug formation (activation, adhesion, aggregation) is a key hemostasis stage, initiating clotting. Hypercoagulability is a pathological state, not a normal stage, so this is incorrect as the exception.
Choice B reason: Blood coagulation, forming a fibrin clot, is a core hemostasis stage, stabilizing the platelet plug. Hypercoagulability is not a standard stage, so this is incorrect for the exception.
Choice C reason: Hypercoagulability is a pathological condition increasing clotting risk, not a normal hemostasis stage. Vessel spasm, platelet plug, and coagulation are standard stages, making this the correct exception.
Choice D reason: Vessel spasm (vasoconstriction) is the initial hemostasis stage, reducing blood flow to the injury. Hypercoagulability is not a stage, so this is incorrect as the exception.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Vitamin D deficiency affects calcium and bone health, not creatinine or BUN levels, which reflect kidney function. Elevated BUN and creatinine point to dehydration or kidney issues, so this is incorrect for the lab findings.
Choice B reason: Elevated creatinine and BUN indicate dehydration or kidney dysfunction, as these markers rise when kidneys fail to clear waste or when blood volume is low. This matches the patient’s symptoms, making it the correct choice.
Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis affects blood pH and CO2, not creatinine or BUN, which are renal markers. Kidney dysfunction or dehydration better explain the lab results, so this is incorrect for the findings.
Choice D reason: Liver failure may elevate other markers (e.g., bilirubin), but BUN and creatinine are kidney-specific. Dehydration or kidney dysfunction align with the labs and symptoms, so this is incorrect.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.