A 58-year-old man is going to have chemotherapy for lung cancer. He asks the nurse how the chemotherapeutic drugs will work.The most accurate explanation the nurse can give is which of the following?

● Weight 98 lbs: This information helps determine the patient's baseline weight and assess for potential weight loss associated with dehydration.

● Dehydrated: The diagnosis of dehydration indicates a critical condition that requires immediate attention and intervention.

● Lethargy: Lethargy suggests a decreased level of consciousness and could indicate a severe state of dehydration or other underlying issues that need to be addressed promptly.

● HR 122: A heart rate of 122 beats per minute is elevated and may indicate compensatory mechanisms in response to dehydration or other underlying conditions. It requires further evaluation and intervention.

● Shortness of Breath: This symptom suggests respiratory distress and may be related to the patient's dehydration or underlying conditions. It requires immediate assessment and intervention.

● Temperature 100: An elevated temperature may indicate an underlying infection or inflammatory response. It requires further evaluation to determine the cause and guide appropriate treatment.

● Thirsty: The patient's report of feeling thirsty is an important symptom indicating dehydration and the need for fluid replacement.

● BP 90/50: A blood pressure of 90/50 is low and may be indicative of hypotension, which can occur in dehydration. It requires close monitoring and intervention to stabilize the patient's blood pressure.

The following items are not immediate concerns based on the given information: ● Admitted to the ER: While it is important information, it is not a current concern as the patient is already in the ER.

● Female: The patient's gender is not an immediate concern for the assessment and management of dehydration.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the nose, and it often involves the placement of nasal packing to control bleeding, support the nasal structures, and promote healing. Nasal packing can cause mouth breathing and oral dryness, which can lead to increased swallowing as the patient tries to alleviate the discomfort.

While bleeding posterior to the nasal packing is a potential complication of rhinoplasty, it typically presents with other symptoms such as active bleeding, nasal discharge, or changes in vital signs. Without additional information or signs of active bleeding, it is less likely to be the cause of the patient's frequent swallowing in this scenario.

An adverse reaction to the analgesic is possible, but it would typically present with other symptoms such as allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing) or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting). In the absence of these symptoms, an adverse reaction to the analgesic is less likely.

Lastly, a normal response to the analgesic and surgery would not typically manifest as frequent swallowing. While pain medication can cause side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea, increased swallowing is not a common response.