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A patient is admitted to the critical care unit with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis. Following aggressive fluid resuscitation and intravenous (IV) insulin administration, the blood glucose begins to normalize. In addition to glucose monitoring, which of the following electrolytes requires close monitoring?
- A. Calcium
- B. Chloride
- C. Potassium
- D. Sodium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Potassium. During treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as blood glucose levels decrease, potassium levels can quickly drop due to insulin therapy driving potassium into cells. Monitoring potassium levels closely is crucial to prevent hypokalemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Choice A: Calcium - Calcium levels are not typically affected by diabetic ketoacidosis treatment and do not require immediate monitoring in this context.
Choice B: Chloride - Chloride levels are usually not significantly impacted by diabetic ketoacidosis treatment and do not need close monitoring in this case.
Choice D: Sodium - While sodium levels can be affected by dehydration in diabetic ketoacidosis, they are not as critical to monitor as potassium levels during treatment.
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A patient with type 1 diabetes who is receiving a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion via an insulin pump contacts the clinic to report mechanical failure of the infusion pump. The nurse instructs the patient to begin monitoring for signs of:
- A. adrenal insufficiency.
- B. diabetic ketoacidosis.
- C. hyperosmolar, hyperglycemic state.
- D. hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: diabetic ketoacidosis. When an insulin pump fails, the patient may experience a sudden decrease in insulin delivery, leading to a potential rise in blood glucose levels. This can trigger diabetic ketoacidosis, characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis. Monitoring for signs such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fruity breath odor, and rapid breathing is crucial.
Incorrect choices:
A: Adrenal insufficiency is not directly related to insulin pump failure.
C: Hyperosmolar, hyperglycemic state is more common in type 2 diabetes and typically occurs with extreme hyperglycemia, not sudden pump failure.
D: Hypoglycemia is less likely with pump failure due to decreased insulin delivery.
A patient with pancreatic cancer has been admitted to the critical care unit with clinical signs consistent with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The nurse anticipates that clinical management of this condition will include
- A. administration of 3% normal saline.
- B. administration of exogenous vasopressin.
- C. fluid restriction.
- D. low sodium diet.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) leads to excess water retention, diluting sodium levels in the blood.
Step 2: Fluid restriction is the mainstay of treatment to prevent further dilution of sodium.
Step 3: Administering 3% normal saline (choice A) can worsen the condition by further increasing sodium levels.
Step 4: Exogenous vasopressin (choice B) would exacerbate the problem by increasing water retention.
Step 5: Low sodium diet (choice D) may be beneficial in the long term but is not the immediate priority.
Continuous venovenous hemodialysis is used to
- A. remove fluids and solutes through the process of convection.
- B. remove plasma water in cases of volume overload.
- C. remove plasma water and solutes by adding dialysate.
- D. combine ultrafiltration, convection and dialysis Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) is similar to CVVH in that ultrafiltration removes plasma water. It differs in that dialysate solution is added around the hemofilter membranes to facilitate solute removal by the process of diffusion. Continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is used to remove fluids and solutes through the process of convection. Slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF) is also known as isolated ultrafiltration and is used to remove plasma water in cases of volume overload. Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) combines ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis to maximize fluid and solute removal.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) combines ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis to maximize fluid and solute removal. Ultrafiltration removes plasma water, convection removes fluids and solutes, and dialysis facilitates solute removal through diffusion.
Choice A is incorrect because convection alone does not remove solutes, but CVVHDF combines convection with other methods.
Choice B is incorrect because CVVHDF is not specifically used for volume overload, although it does remove fluids.
Choice C is incorrect because CVVHDF does not involve adding dialysate to remove solutes; instead, it relies on diffusion for solute removal.
In summary, the correct answer D is the best choice as it encompasses all the components needed for comprehensive fluid and solute removal in CVVHDF.
An elderly female patient has presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, hypothermia, and clinical signs of heart failure. Myxedema is suspected. Which of the following laboratory findings support this diagnosis?
- A. Elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone
- B. Elevated cortisol levels
- C. Elevated T and T 3 4
- D. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): Elevated T and T3/T4 levels are indicative of primary hypothyroidism, such as myxedema. In this case, the patient presents with classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, including altered mental status, hypothermia, and heart failure. Elevated T3/T4 levels confirm the diagnosis.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone is associated with adrenal disorders, not hypothyroidism.
B: Elevated cortisol levels suggest Cushing's syndrome, a condition of excess cortisol production, not hypothyroidism.
D: Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is seen in primary hypothyroidism, but in myxedema, the issue is not with TSH but with T3/T4 levels.
Conditions that produce acute kidney injury by directly acting on functioning kidney tissue are classified as intrarenal. The most common intrarenal condition is
- A. prolonged ischemia.
- B. exposure to nephrotoxic substances.
- C. acute tubular necrosis (ATN).
- D. hypotension for several hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most common intrarenal condition causing acute kidney injury. ATN is characterized by damage to the renal tubules due to ischemia or nephrotoxic substances. Prolonged ischemia (choice A) and exposure to nephrotoxic substances (choice B) can lead to ATN. Hypotension for several hours (choice D) can result in ischemic injury, which may lead to ATN but is not the direct cause. Therefore, choice C is correct as it directly relates to the primary intrarenal condition of ATN.