The most common clinical manifestation of portal hypertension is what type of bleeding?

A. Optimizing pain: While pain management is important in any patient care plan, acute kidney injury typically does not cause significant pain unless associated with another condition such as obstruction or infection. It is not a primary focus unless the patient reports discomfort requiring intervention.

B. Protecting from falls: Fall prevention is a general safety measure but is not a specific priority related to AKI management unless the patient has associated risks like altered mental status, weakness, or dialysis-related hypotension. It is not a primary priority in early AKI care planning.

C. Monitoring electrolyte levels: AKI commonly leads to imbalances in potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus due to impaired renal clearance. Hyperkalemia in particular poses serious cardiac risks, making electrolyte monitoring a top priority to prevent complications such as arrhythmias.

D. Assessing fluid balance: AKI affects the kidneys’ ability to excrete or conserve fluid, resulting in potential fluid overload or dehydration. Accurate intake and output tracking, daily weights, and edema assessment are essential to guide treatment and prevent respiratory or cardiovascular compromise.

E. Promoting infection control: Infection is both a potential cause and a complication of AKI, especially in hospitalized or catheterized patients. Maintaining strict aseptic technique, monitoring for signs of infection, and preventing sepsis are critical components of AKI management.

A. Blood glucose levels in DKA are typically higher than in HHS: In fact, HHS usually presents with higher blood glucose levels than DKA—often exceeding 600 mg/dL, while DKA typically ranges from 250 to 600 mg/dL.

B. DKA involves significant ketosis and metabolic acidosis, while HHS typically does not: DKA is characterized by the breakdown of fats into ketones, leading to metabolic acidosis. HHS typically lacks significant ketosis because insulin levels, while low, are still sufficient to suppress ketogenesis.

C. DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes, while HHS is more common in type 2 diabetes: DKA usually occurs in individuals with type 1 diabetes due to absolute insulin deficiency. HHS is more often seen in type 2 diabetics who still produce some insulin but not enough to prevent severe hyperglycemia and dehydration.

D. None of the above: This choice is incorrect, as B, C, and E are valid differences between DKA and HHS.

E. HHS patients often have more severe dehydration than DKA patients: HHS leads to profound osmotic diuresis over a longer period, causing extreme dehydration. DKA progresses faster but with less total fluid loss compared to HHS.