A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Blood glucose below 40 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, not DKA, which is characterized by hyperglycemia (typically >250 mg/dL) due to insulin deficiency, driving ketogenesis. Hypoglycemia may occur during DKA treatment but is not an expected initial manifestation of the condition. Choice B reason: Malignant hypertension is not a feature of DKA. DKA may cause hypotension from dehydration due to osmotic diuresis, not extreme hypertension. Malignant hypertension is associated with other conditions, like renal disease, making this an incorrect manifestation for DKA. Choice C reason: Kussmaul breathing, rapid and deep respirations, is a hallmark of DKA, compensating for metabolic acidosis (pH <7.35) from ketone accumulation. This respiratory effort lowers PaCO2 to buffer hydrogen ions, making it a key clinical sign expected in DKA patients. Choice D reason: Fetor hepaticus, a musty breath odor, is associated with liver failure, not DKA. DKA causes fruity breath from acetone, a ketone byproduct of fat metabolism, making fetor hepaticus an incorrect manifestation for this metabolic condition.