A patient recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) ...

[theo]

A patient recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) asks why she is experiencing increased thirst. Which explanation is most appropriate?
 
  a. Diabetes results in a lack of protein ab-sorption that decreases amino acids and causes increased thirst.
  b. High glucose levels in the blood pull cel-lular water into circulating volume and increase thirst.
  c. Thirst results from the body's increased loss of fluids from frequent urination.
  d. Diabetes causes large amount of fluid to shut to the pancreas, which dehydrates the body.

Question 2

Which action is most important for the nurse to take prior to ambulating the postsurgical patient for the first time?
 
  a. Raise the head of the bed.
  b. Dangle the patient's legs over side of bed.
  c. Offer the patient some fluids.
  d. Apply a gait belt to the patient.

[amandalm]

Answer to Question 1

B
Polydipsia is stimulated by cellular dehydration from the hyperglycemia pulling intracellular fluid into the circulating volume.

Answer to Question 2

A
The initial intervention prior to the first ambulation is to raise the head of the bed to gradually change the patient's posture. The nurse should then sit the patient on the side of the bed and al-low the legs to dangle over the side with the feet on the floor of a footstool. After a few minutes, the nurse should slowly assist the patient to stand and then assist the patient to walk. The nurse should use a gait belt and request additional assistance if the patient is very weak.