Exhibits

Which other labs would be helpful for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Select all that apply.

White blood cell differential

Hemoglobin A1C

Serum electrolytes

Urine culture

Anion gap

Urine ketones

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : C,E,F

A. White blood cell differential. Although infection is a common precipitating factor for DKA, an elevated WBC count is common in DKA due to stress, dehydration, and inflammation rather than infection itself. While a WBC differential may be done if infection is suspected, it is not a primary test for DKA management.
B. Hemoglobin A1C. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) reflects long-term glucose control (past 2-3 months) but does not provide immediate information about the current metabolic status or severity of DKA. While it may be useful in assessing overall diabetes management, it is not essential for acute DKA treatment.
C. Serum electrolytes. Patients with DKA experience significant electrolyte imbalances, particularly potassium depletion due to osmotic diuresis and insulin deficiency. Monitoring serum sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate is crucial for guiding fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy. Potassium levels may appear normal or high initially due to acidosis but typically drop with insulin administration.
D. Urine culture. A urine culture is only indicated if a urinary tract infection (UTI) is suspected as a trigger for DKA. However, routine urine culture is not required in every case of DKA unless there are symptoms of infection such as fever, dysuria, or pyuria.
E. Anion gap. DKA is a form of high anion gap metabolic acidosis, caused by the accumulation of ketones. The anion gap (AG) is calculated as (Na⁺ - [Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻]), with a value >12 mEq/L indicating metabolic acidosis. Monitoring the anion gap helps assess the severity of acidosis and guide treatment progress, as a decreasing anion gap suggests resolution of ketosis.
F. Urine ketones. Urine ketone testing helps confirm the presence of ketoacidosis, particularly in the initial stages of DKA diagnosis. While serum beta-hydroxybutyrate is a more accurate indicator of ketone levels, urine ketones remain useful for initial screening and monitoring treatment response as they decrease with appropriate management.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Suction subglottic area above the ETT cuff before entering the ETT. While subglottic suctioning helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by removing pooled secretions, it does not directly improve oxygenation during deep endotracheal suctioning. The priority is to optimize oxygenation before and after suctioning.
B. Use the ventilator settings to stack breaths prior to suctioning. Pre-oxygenating the client by delivering additional breaths via the ventilator helps prevent hypoxia during suctioning. Closed suction systems momentarily interrupt airflow, which can lead to oxygen desaturation. Providing 100% FiO₂ for 30–60 seconds before suctioning helps ensure adequate oxygenation and reduces complications.
C. Rinse suction catheters with normal saline between each suction pass. Flushing the catheter keeps it clean and patent, but it does not enhance oxygenation. Normal saline instillation before suctioning is not recommended, as it can increase infection risk and worsen secretion mobilization.
D. Suction for 30 seconds with each pass of the suction catheter. Prolonged suctioning can cause severe hypoxia, bradycardia, and airway trauma. Suction passes should be limited to 10–15 seconds to minimize complications. If additional suctioning is needed, the client should be reoxygenated between passes.

A. Prepare for oral intubation. B. Apply leg compression hose. C. Maintain head of bed at 45°. D. Administer an anticoagulant.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Prepare for oral intubation. The client is in severe respiratory distress with oxygen saturation at 88% despite receiving 100% oxygen via a nonrebreather mask. This suggests respiratory failure, likely due to a pulmonary embolism (PE), a known complication following bariatric surgery. Immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation are necessary to prevent further hypoxia and respiratory collapse.
B. Apply leg compression hose. While deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is essential for postoperative bariatric patients, it is not the priority in an acute emergency. Compression devices help prevent clots but do not treat an existing life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
C. Maintain head of bed at 45°. Elevating the head of the bed can help with breathing, but it will not significantly improve oxygenation in a client already failing on 100% oxygen. The priority is to secure the airway with intubation to provide controlled ventilation.
D. Administer an anticoagulant. Anticoagulation is a key treatment for pulmonary embolism, but it does not immediately improve oxygenation or stabilize respiratory function. In a hemodynamically unstable client with severe hypoxia, securing the airway takes priority before initiating anticoagulation therapy.

View Question and Answer

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

Exhibits Which other labs would be helpful for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client who had gastric bypass surgery 3 days ago is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with shortness of breath and chest pain. The client has a 100% nonrebreather mask with an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client, who is 4 hours postoperative laparotomy, has rapidly increasing abdominal distention with elevated pulse and respiratory rates. The client's skin is cool and pale, and there is no change in the blood pressure. Which intervention should the nurse implement immediately?

Exhibits Based on the client's laboratory values at 1600, which are appropriate nursing actions? Select all that apply.

The nurse is collecting a blood sample for a mixed venous oxygen saturation (SVO2) level from the distal lumen of a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter of a client in cardiogenic shock. Which action should the nurse implement?

Exhibits Which other labs would be helpful for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Select all that apply.

A client is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The client is orally intubated and mechanically ventilated. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care (POC)?

The nurse is caring for a client who has hemorrhaged postoperatively and is in an early stage of shock. Which cardiopulmonary symptoms are most indicative of progressive hypovolemic shock?

The nurse is completing a neurological assessment on a client with a head injury. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 14. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Exhibits

Which other labs would be helpful for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Select all that apply.