A 46-year-old female patient presents to the emergency department with acute adrenal insufficiency and the following vital signs: P 118 beats/min, R 18 breaths/min, BP 83/44 mm Hg. pulse oximetry 98%. and T 98.8 F oral.
Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for this patient?
Administering furosemide (Lasix)
Replacing potassium losses
Providing isotonic fluids
Restricting sodium.
The Correct Answer is C
The patient's vital signs suggest that she is experiencing hypotension, tachycardia, and possibly dehydration due to acute adrenal insufficiency. The highest priority nursing intervention for this patient is to provide isotonic fluids to restore intravascular volume and blood pressure. This will also help to correct any electrolyte imbalances that may be present. Administering furosemide (Lasix) or replacing potassium losses may be necessary interventions, but they are not the highest priority at this time. Restricting sodium would be contraindicated in this situation as the patient is hypotensive and needs fluids to increase intravascular volume.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should quickly assess the patient's vital signs to check for signs of shock and instability. If the vital signs are unstable, the nurse should initiate appropriate interventions to stabilize the patient, such as administering oxygen, starting IV fluids, and providing continuous cardiac monitoring. Based on the sudden onset of severe upper abdominal pain, diaphoresis, and a firm abdomen, the nurse should suspect a possible perforation or bleeding related to the peptic ulcer. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize notifying the healthcare provider and preparing the patient for urgent medical evaluation.
Option A, irrigating the NG tube, is not appropriate in this situation and may further exacerbate the patient's condition if the ulcer has perforated.
Option B, elevating the foot of the bed, is also not appropriate as it does not address the patient's current symptoms.
Option C, giving the ordered antacid, may not be effective in addressing the severity of the patient's symptoms and should be postponed until the healthcare provider has evaluated the patient.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse will discuss using rapid-acting insulin such as Lispro (Humalog) for mealtime coverage in a patient with diabetes who is starting insulin therapy. Rapid-acting insulin begins to work quickly after injection, usually within 15 minutes, and peaks at around 1 hour. This makes it an effective choice for covering the rise in blood sugar that occurs after meals.
Options A, B, and D are all long-acting insulins that are used to provide a basal level of insulin coverage throughout the day but are not appropriate for mealtime coverage.
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