Question

A nurse is assessing a school-age child who has diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose level of 250 mg/dL. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A: Hyperreflexia
B: Fruity breath odor
C: Sweating
D: Shallow respirations

Answer 1

In a child with diabetes mellitus and a high blood sugar level of 250 mg/dL, the nurse should expect to find a fruity breath odor, which signifies ketosis resulting from elevated blood sugar levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

A school-age child with diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose level of 250 mg/dL is most likely to exhibit a fruity breath odor. This symptom is indicative of the presence of ketones in the blood, a condition known as ketosis, which can occur when the body starts to break down fats for energy due to insufficient available insulin to help glucose enter the body's cells. This situation is different from hyperinsulinism, where symptoms like sweating, tremors, and fainting attacks occur due to excessive production of insulin resulting in hypoglycemia. Thus, among the options provided, the fruity breath odor is the finding that the nurse should expect in a child with a high blood sugar level, characteristic of hyperglycemia related to diabetes mellitus.