Question

The nurse is performing an assessment of a 13-year-old boy with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following assessments would most likely indicate the presence of type 1 diabetes?

A) The parents report that their child had ""a cold or flu"" recently.
B) Assessment of vital signs shows a normal blood pressure.
C) The parents report that their son ""can't drink enough water"" and is tired a lot.
D) Auscultation reveals Kussmaul breathing.

Answer 1

The assessment that would most likely indicate the presence of type 1 diabetes in a 13-year-old boy is when the parents report that their son "can't drink enough water" and is tired a lot.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely assessment that would indicate the presence of type 1 diabetes in a 13-year-old boy is option C) The parents report that their son "can't drink enough water" and is tired a lot.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production by the pancreas due to the destruction of the B cells. This leads to hyperglycemia and increased thirst (polydipsia) as a result of the body trying to flush out excess glucose through increased urination. The feeling of tiredness is also a common symptom of high blood sugar levels.

Option A) The parents report of a recent illness like a cold or flu is not specific to type 1 diabetes. Option B) Normal blood pressure would not necessarily indicate the presence of type 1 diabetes. And option D) Kussmaul breathing, which is deep and labored breathing, is more commonly associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of uncontrolled diabetes.