Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 88%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
An adolescent with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), sodium 139 mEq/L, potassium 5.1 mEq/L, glucose 650 mg/dL, BUN 32 mg/dL, creatinine 1.2 mg/dL.A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The nurse notes the following: When planning care for this client, the nurse should anticipate a provider's prescription for which of the following?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Insulin therapy and fluid replacement. In DKA, the body lacks insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and ketone production. Insulin helps lower blood sugar and stop ketone formation. Fluid replacement is crucial to correct dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis. Glucagon (B) is used in hypoglycemia, not DKA. Bicarbonate (C) is not routinely recommended due to potential risks. Dextrose (D) would worsen hyperglycemia, and diuretics would exacerbate dehydration.