A nurse is assessing a client who has an oral temperature of 39 C (102.27 F). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Decreased peripheral pulses

Heart rate 108/min

Respiratory rate 10 breathes/min

Dilated pupils

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Decreased peripheral pulses:
Increased body temperature typically causes vasodilation rather than vasoconstriction, leading to improved blood flow rather than decreased. As a result, peripheral pulses are more likely to be normal or even increased in response to fever. Decreased peripheral pulses would be more indicative of conditions like shock or hypoperfusion, not fever.

B) Heart rate 108/min:
Fever causes an increase in metabolic demand, which often results in a compensatory increase in heart rate (tachycardia). This phenomenon, known as "fever tachycardia," occurs as the body attempts to circulate blood more rapidly to meet the increased oxygen and nutrient demands caused by elevated body temperature. A heart rate of 108 beats per minute is a normal response to fever, particularly when the temperature reaches 39°C (102.27°F).
C) Respiratory rate 10 breaths/min:
A respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute is considered bradypnea (abnormally slow breathing), which is typically not associated with fever. Fever usually leads to an increase in respiratory rate (tachypnea) as the body attempts to cool itself through increased evaporation of sweat and breathing. A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min is more likely to be seen in conditions like drug overdose, head injury, or respiratory depression, rather than fever.
D) Dilated pupils:
Dilated pupils (mydriasis) are typically associated with sympathetic nervous system activation, which can be caused by certain drugs, trauma, or neurological conditions. Fever, however, generally causes only mild changes in pupil size and is more likely to lead to constricted pupils (miosis) in response to certain stress hormones. Dilated pupils are not a typical finding with fever.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Potassium level 3 mEq/L:
A potassium level of 3 mEq/L is below the normal range (which is typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and represents hypokalemia. Potassium is crucial for normal muscle and nerve function, including cardiac function. Low potassium levels can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and cardiac arrest if not addressed promptly. This is the priority value because hypokalemia can be life-threatening and requires immediate attention from the healthcare provider to correct the imbalance.

B) BUN 9.5 mg/dl:
A BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level of 9.5 mg/dL is within the normal reference range for most adults (typically 7-20 mg/dL). While an abnormal BUN level could indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, this value is not immediately concerning and does not represent a critical finding that requires urgent attention.

C) Creatinine 0.4 mg/dl:
A creatinine level of 0.4 mg/dL is below the normal range (usually around 0.6-1.2 mg/dL), which might indicate low muscle mass or a transient decrease in kidney function. However, a low creatinine level is generally not as urgent or concerning as an elevated level, and it does not typically require immediate intervention

D) Sodium 135 mEq/L:
A sodium level of 135 mEq/L is slightly below the normal range (135-145 mEq/L), indicating mild hyponatremia. Although this can be concerning if the drop is acute or symptomatic (e.g., causing confusion, seizures, or lethargy), a mild decrease in sodium is not immediately life-threatening unless it worsens rapidly.

A. Assist the client into a standing position B. Check the blood pressure with the client in a supine position. C. Determine the client's blood pressure 1 min after each position change. D. Place the client in a sitting position

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Assist the client into a standing position:
While assisting the client into a standing position is necessary for assessing orthostatic hypotension, it should not be the first action. The nurse needs baseline measurements of the client's blood pressure before making any position changes. This ensures that the changes in blood pressure can be accurately attributed to the positional changes, rather than being affected by the initial standing position.

B) Check the blood pressure with the client in a supine position:
The first step in assessing for orthostatic hypotension is to take a baseline blood pressure while the client is lying flat in the supine position. This provides a reference point for comparison when the client changes positions (to sitting and then standing). This helps to detect significant drops in blood pressure when transitioning to an upright position.

C) Determine the client's blood pressure 1 minute after each position change:
While it is important to measure blood pressure after each position change, this action should occur after baseline blood pressure has been taken while the client is in the supine position. Orthostatic hypotension is assessed by measuring blood pressure in three positions: supine, sitting, and standing.

D) Place the client in a sitting position:
Placing the client in a sitting position is a necessary part of the orthostatic hypotension assessment, but it is not the first step. The nurse must first measure the blood pressure while the client is lying down (supine) to establish a baseline for comparison with the blood pressure readings taken after sitting and standing.

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