In the intensive care unit, the nurse cares for a client who has been admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. The client is on a continuous infusion of regular insulin at 5 units/hr via IV pump. Which action should the nurse expect to implement?

Question

In the intensive care unit, the nurse cares for a client who has been admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis.  The client is on a continuous infusion of regular insulin at 5 units/hr via IV pump.  Which action should the nurse expect to implement?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_c975_be6d_b433_dfb4afead71b_MD0009_00 Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, serious complication generally due to lack of insulin in clients with type 1 diabetes. DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis. Hyperglycemia causes osmotic diuresis, resulting in profound dehydration. Clients with DKA may initially develop hyperkalemia as a compensatory response to acidosis despite having a total body potassium deficit from urinary loss. Management of DKA includes fluid resuscitation, IV insulin, and hourly blood glucose monitoring. When serum glucose is <250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L), D₅W is administered to prevent hypoglycemia until ketoacidosis is resolved. Hypokalemia often occurs with resolution of acidosis and administration of IV insulin, which shifts potassium from the intravascular to the intracellular space. Therefore, potassium is administered even when the client is normokalemic (3.5-5.0 mEq/L [3.5-5.0 mmol/L]) to prevent hypokalemia and subsequent life-threatening arrhythmias (Option D). (Option A) Serum potassium, glucose, and anion gap or bicarbonate levels are regularly monitored in DKA to monitor treatment effectiveness. Although serum creatinine and BUN levels may be elevated due to dehydration and may be monitored, hourly monitoring is not indicated. (Option B) IV insulin infusion may be discontinued on resolution of acidosis and ketosis, which generally occurs with a blood glucose level of <200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). (Option C) As blood glucose is reduced, the insulin infusion rate is decreased to prevent a hypoglycemic event. Educational objective: Hypokalemia often occurs with resolution of diabetic ketoacidosis and administration of IV insulin, which shifts potassium from the intravascular to the intracellular space. Potassium is administered even when the client is normokalemic (3.5-5.0 mEq/L [3.5-5.0 mmol/L]) to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias.

In the Intensive Care Unit, the Nurse Cares for a Client