Question 1
What increases the risk for seizures in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
◦ Potassium shifts may cause cerebral ischemia.
◦ Intracellular fluid shifts may cause cerebral edema.
◦ Drugs used to treat the DKA have a side effect of seizures.
◦ High blood glucose levels overstimulate brain cells.
Question 2
A newly admitted patient with HHNK has a serum glucose of 850 mg/dL and a potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L. What is an important nursing consideration that should precede replacement of potassium?
◦ Assessment of lung sounds
◦ Calculation of serum osmolarity
◦ Assessment of urine output
◦ Assessment of dehydration