A 13-year-old patient presents to the emergency department in a disoriented state with tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and hypothermia. Upon assessment, the nurse notes the patient’s breath smells like acetone, the mucous membranes are dry, and the patient has poor skin turgor. The nurse knows which test is the priority?

Point of care blood glucose level (fingerstick). The patient is exhibiting signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, of which a hallmark is the breath that smells like acetone. The child may have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. The priority testing is a point-of-care blood glucose level to direct therapy. The patient will likely need blood cultures, arterial blood gas, and a CBC, but these are not the initial priority as they require venipuncture and waiting for the results.

A 13-year-old patient presents to the emergency department in a d...

Category: Reduction of Risk Potential
Difficulty: 4

Topics: Acid-Base Endocrine

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