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 D rationale

In a patient with severe ulcerative colitis who has undergone surgery for a fistula repair, replacing fluids IV based on intake and output is the most important intervention to include in the plan of care. This is because patients with ulcerative colitis often experience significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal losses. Following surgery, these imbalances can be further exacerbated by factors such as fasting, surgical stress, and the use of certain medications. Therefore, careful monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance, and appropriate IV fluid replacement, is crucial to prevent complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and renal dysfunction.

Choice A rationale

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint, including the cartilage, break down over time. The degradation of joint cartilage is the primary pathological condition that leads to the symptoms of osteoarthritis, such as increased pain and stiffness.

Choice B rationale

A systemic inflammatory response is not the primary cause of osteoarthritis. While inflammation can occur in the affected joint, osteoarthritis is not a systemic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis.

Choice C rationale

An infectious process in the synovial fluid is not typically associated with osteoarthritis. Infections can lead to a different type of arthritis known as septic arthritis.

Choice D rationale

A decrease in bone mineral density is associated with osteoporosis, not osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the issue is primarily with the degradation of cartilage, not a loss of bone density.