2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
A patient has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following is not a clinical sign of diabetes mellitus?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by specific clinical signs, including polyphagia (increased hunger), polyuria (excessive urination), and metabolic acidosis, particularly in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. Polyphagia and polyuria occur due to insulin deficiency and glucose imbalance. Metabolic acidosis may arise from the accumulation of ketoacids when insulin is insufficient. In contrast, lower extremity edema is not a typical sign of diabetes; it is more commonly associated with conditions like heart failure or venous insufficiency. Thus, it does not reflect the core pathology of diabetes mellitus.