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PS

Priya Shah Mentor

Jul 13, 2026 · Clinical concepts

DKA versus HHS still isn't clicking for me

Tbh this is one of the areas that keeps slowing me down. I know the assessment pattern, immediate safety risk, and first nursing response connected to DKA versus HHS matters, but then I end up memorizing isolated facts about DKA versus HHS without connecting them to the client’s condition. How would you break this down without turning it into another huge set of notes?

5 replies 324 views RN reviewed
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JC

Jamie Chen Veteran

I’d start with the assessment pattern, immediate safety risk, and first nursing response connected to DKA versus HHS. That usually makes the extra details easier to sort.

△ 3 helpful
RP

Rina Patel

Your plan sounds reasonable. Try it on a small set first: compare an expected DKA versus HHS finding with one that needs immediate follow-up. Then adjust from what you actually miss.

△ 6 helpful
TM

Theo Martin

Same area tripped me up. The big thing was noticing when I was memorizing isolated facts about DKA versus HHS without connecting them to the client’s condition. Once I named that habit, it was easier to stop.

△ 9 helpful
NF

Nadia Foster Mentor

One thing that helped: say the “why” out loud before you click. It should connect back to the assessment pattern, immediate safety risk, and first nursing response connected to DKA versus HHS.

△ 12 helpful
CN

Casey Nguyen

Keep one example that felt clear and one that didn’t. Those two examples will give an RN reviewer something specific to work with.

△ 15 helpful