Question

A nurse is teaching a client recovering from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) about management of "sick days." The client asks the nurse why it is important to monitor the urine for ketones. Which statement is the nurse's best response?

1) Monitoring urine for ketones helps to assess the effectiveness of insulin therapy.
2) Monitoring urine for ketones helps to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
3) Monitoring urine for ketones helps to detect early signs of infection.
4) Monitoring urine for ketones helps to identify the presence of ketosis.

Answer 1

Monitoring urine for ketones helps to identify the presence of ketosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response to the client's question is option 4) Monitoring urine for ketones helps to identify the presence of ketosis. Ketones are byproducts of fat metabolism and their presence in the urine indicates that the body is using fat as an energy source instead of glucose. In the case of a client recovering from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), monitoring urine for ketones is important to identify any recurrence of ketosis and take appropriate action to manage it.