HESI Basic Nursing Care of the Patient Related

Review HESI Basic Nursing Care of the Patient related questions and content

You are assessing a patient with an altered mental status and has a diabetic history. Which of the following would most likely indicate the patient is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis?

  • A. Cool, moist skin, wet mucous membranes, normal pulses and blood pressure, shallow respirations, and family members report increasing hunger and then nausea in the patient before calling 9-1-1
  • B. Red hot skin, wet mucous membranes, weak tachycardic pulses, hypotension, shallow rapid respirations, and family members report that the patient spoke of a loss of appetite for several days before calling 9-1-1
  • C. Dry, doughy-looking skin that is cool to the touch, unresponsiveness, bradycardic pulse, normal blood pressure, slow, shallow respirations, and family members report that the patient spoke of increasing intolerance to cold for several days before calling 9-1-1
  • D. Dry skin, dry mucous membranes, hypotension, shallow rapid respirations, and family members report that the patient spoke of increased thirst and frequent urination for several days before calling 9-1-1
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the patient is showing signs of dehydration and metabolic imbalance characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis. Dry skin and mucous membranes, along with increased thirst and frequent urination, are indicative of dehydration due to high blood sugar levels. Hypotension could be due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Shallow rapid respirations are a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. Choices A, B, and C do not align with the typical presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis, as they do not include the key signs of dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances seen in this condition.