A client receives a prescription for heparin 900 units/hr IV. The IV bag contains heparin 25,000 units in 500 mL of 0.45% normal saline.

How many mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to deliver?

Choice A rationale

Serum albumin levels can be relevant in assessing nutritional status and the body’s ability to heal wounds. However, they do not directly indicate the presence of infection or purulent drainage.

Choice B rationale

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection.

Choice C rationale

Serum blood glucose (BG) level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated BG levels might be seen in clients with diabetes or as a stress response, but they are not the primary indicator of infection or wound complications.

Choice D rationale

Neutrophil count is a key laboratory value to note when a client with a full-thickness burn has purulent drainage at the wound. An elevated neutrophil count can indicate an infection, which could be the cause of the purulent drainage.

Choice A rationale

A rotator cuff injury could be a possibility given the patient’s age and the nature of the fall. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, and injuries to this area are common in falls where the shoulder takes the impact.

Choice B rationale

A humeral fracture could also be a possibility. The humerus is the bone in the upper arm, and it can be fractured in falls, especially in older adults who may have weaker bones.

Choice C rationale

A concussion could be a possibility given that the patient hit his head on the wall. Symptoms of a concussion can include nausea and fatigue, which the patient is experiencing.

Choice D rationale

A knee sprain could be a possibility given that the patient is experiencing pain in his right knee. Sprains occur when the ligaments, which are the bands of tissue that hold bones together, are stretched or torn.