A client with Addison's disease becomes weak, confused, and dehydrated following the onset of an acute viral infection. The client's laboratory values include: sodium 129 mEq/L (129 mmol/L), glucose 54 mg/dl (2.97 mmol/L) and potassium 5.3 mEq/L (5.3 mmol/L).

When reporting the findings to the healthcare provider, the nurse anticipates a prescription for which intravenous medication?

Reference Ranges

• Sodium [Reference Range: Adult 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)
• Glucose (Reference Range: 0 to 50 years: 74 to 106 mg/dl. (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L))
• Potassium [Reference Range: 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)

Clients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience impaired judgment and cognitive decline, which can increase their risk for injury. Arranging the client's environment in a way that allows them to move about freely helps promote their safety and reduces the risk of accidents or falls.

Engaging the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day is a beneficial intervention as it provides structure and stimulation for the client. However, it may not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment.

Offering the client frequent reassurance that they will be safe is important to provide emotional support, but it may not be sufficient in preventing physical harm or addressing the specific nursing problem of risk for injury.

Assigning a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel) to provide the client with total personal care may be helpful in assisting with activities of daily living. However, it does not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment, and the nurse should have a central role in coordinating and overseeing the client's care.

A) Correct- With a significantly low platelet count, the risk of bleeding is elevated. Assessing urine and stool for occult (hidden) blood is important to detect any signs of internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent. A low platelet count increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, which can be life-threatening if undetected.
B) Incorrect- This choice is related to neutropenia, not thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, increases the risk of infection, which is why monitoring temperature frequently is important.

C) Incorrect- Monitoring for signs of activity intolerance is not directly related to the low platelet count. The primary concern with thrombocytopenia is the risk of bleeding, not generalized activity intolerance.
D) Incorrect- Requiring visitors to wear respiratory masks is not relevant to the client's current condition of low platelet count. This action is related to infection control and protection from respiratory infections.