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)
Broad spectrum antibiotic.
Regular insulin.
Hydrocortisone.
Potassium chloride.
The Correct Answer is C
The client with Addison's disease is experiencing weakness, confusion, and dehydration, which can be indicative of an adrenal crisis. The low sodium level (129 mEq/L) and low glucose level (54 mg/dl) further support this suspicion. An acute viral infection can trigger an adrenal crisis in individuals with Addison's disease.
Intravenous hydrocortisone, a glucocorticoid, is the treatment of choice for managing an adrenal crisis. It helps to replenish cortisol levels and stabilize the client's condition.
Hydrocortisone helps in restoring the body's stress response and regulating electrolyte and glucose levels.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic may be necessary if there is evidence of a bacterial infection, but it does not directly address the symptoms associated with Addison's disease.
Regular insulin is used for managing high blood glucose levels in conditions such as diabetes, but in this case, the client has low glucose levels, so insulin is not the appropriate intervention.
Potassium chloride is a medication used to treat low potassium levels (hypokalemia), but the client's potassium level is within the reference range (5.3 mEq/L). Therefore, potassium chloride is not indicated in this situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["25"]
Explanation
The prescription is for 1 gram of azithromycin, which is 1000 mg. The concentration of
the suspension is 200 mg per 5 mL. To calculate the amount in mL:
1000 mg / 200 mg per 5 mL = 25 mL
The nurse should administer 25 mL of the suspension.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Explanation
Options for 1:
A) Incorrect- Separation anxiety: This choice is incorrect because separation anxiety typically refers to a fear or distress about being separated from loved ones or familiar environments. It's often seen in children and can involve symptoms like excessive worry when separated from attachment figures. The client's symptoms do not align with separation anxiety; they are more related to the traumatic event itself.
B) Correct- Acute stress disorder: The client's symptoms of distressing thoughts, memories of the traumatic event, and difficulty coping with the event are indicative of acute stress disorder. This disorder occurs in response to a traumatic event and involves various symptoms like intrusive thoughts, avoidance behavior, negative mood, and hyperarousal.
C) Incorrect- Phobia: This choice is incorrect because a phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. The client's symptoms involve distressing thoughts, memories, and difficulty sleeping related to the traumatic event of her house collapsing. These symptoms are not indicative of a specific phobia but rather a broader stress reaction.
D) Incorrect- Hallucinations: This choice is incorrect because hallucinations refer to sensory perceptions (like hearing voices or seeing things) that are not based in reality. The client is not reporting hallucinations; instead, she is describing distressing thoughts and memories related to the traumatic event.
Options for 2:
A) Incorrect- Undiagnosed mental health disorder: This choice is incorrect because while the client may indeed have an underlying mental health concern, the specific symptoms described in the scenario are more indicative of a reaction to a traumatic event rather than a pre-existing undiagnosed disorder.
B) Correct- traumatic stress exposure: in this case, is the client's experience of her house collapsing during a hurricane.
C) Incorrect- Side effects of medication: This choice is incorrect because the client's symptoms are primarily related to the traumatic event and her emotional response to it. There is no indication in the scenario that her symptoms are a result of medication side effects.
D) Incorrect- Overstimulation: This choice is incorrect because overstimulation typically refers to being overwhelmed by excessive sensory input. While the client does mention a preference for a quieter area, her symptoms are more about distressing thoughts, memories, and difficulty sleeping due to the traumatic event.
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