The parent of a child with diabetes mellitus asks the nurse when urine testing will be necessary. The nurse should explain that urine testing for:

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Urine testing for ketones (ketonuria) is necessary when there is suspicion of ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can occur in individuals with diabetes when their body starts breaking down fats at an excessive rate due to a lack of insulin. This can happen during illness, stress, or when blood glucose levels are consistently high. Testing for glucose in the urine is less commonly relied upon for managing diabetes today due to the availability of blood glucose monitoring technologies. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests are done through blood samples, not urine.

The Parent of a Child with Diabetes Mellitus Asks the Nurse