A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a patient who is experiencing sickle cell crises. What interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The nurse should clarify the prescription for Furosemide due to the client’s 2. Potassium level. The client’s potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L, which is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. This could indicate hypokalemia, a condition that can cause weakness, fatigue, and heart rhythm problems. Therefore, it would be important for the nurse to clarify the prescription for potassium chloride, which is a medication used to treat or prevent low potassium levels. Please note that this is an assessment based on the information provided

Furosemide, also known as a loop diuretic, works by inhibiting the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter in the ascending thick loop of Henle in the kidneys1. This part of the kidney is responsible for reabsorbing sodium, chloride, and potassium from the urine back into the body1.

When Furosemide inhibits this process, it leads to an increase in the amount of these electrolytes in the urine, which in turn leads to their decreased levels in the body1. This is why Furosemide can cause a decrease in potassium levels in the body, a condition known as hypokalemia23.

It’s important to note that while Furosemide helps in relieving the body of excess fluid, its use may lead to the depletion of certain electrolytes in the body, such as potassium3. Therefore, if you are taking Furosemide, your doctor may need to monitor your potassium levels or have you consume more potassium4.

Choice A rationale:

Obtain the client’s weight is an important task, particularly in cases where the client's fluid status needs to be monitored or if weight- based medications are prescribed. However, in this scenario, while monitoring the weight is necessary for assessing fluid balance and the patient's general condition, it does not address the immediate need to investigate the cause of the fever and signs of possible infection. The priority in this situation is to collect data that will guide effective treatment, which is why obtaining blood cultures is critical before any antibiotics are administered. Weight measurement does not directly influence the immediate treatment decisions or diagnostics related to the fever and signs of infection.

Choice B rationale:

Assist with administering the antibiotic is important given the patient's fever and possible infection. Vancomycin is a crucial antibiotic for treating infections, particularly those associated with the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) site. However, it is essential to first obtain blood cultures before starting antibiotics to ensure accurate identification of the causative organism and to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy. Administering the antibiotic before blood cultures are taken may affect the results, making it harder to determine the right treatment. Therefore, while administering the antibiotic is important, it should follow the collection of blood cultures to avoid compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Choice C rationale:

Initiate a nutritional consult is relevant for addressing the patient’s nutritional needs, particularly if there are concerns about malnutrition or dietary deficiencies. In this scenario, the immediate concern is managing the fever and potential infection, rather than addressing nutritional needs. The priority should be to diagnose and manage the infection, which will have a more immediate impact on the patient’s overall condition. Nutritional consultation is important but not the immediate priority when the patient is presenting with signs of infection and a high fever.

Choice D rationale:

Administer acetaminophen is a necessary action to manage the patient’s elevated temperature (39.1°C or 102.4°F). Acetaminophen can help reduce fever and provide symptomatic relief. However, addressing the fever with medication does not resolve the underlying cause. Given the presence of erythema at the AVF site and the need to identify the source of infection, obtaining blood cultures should be prioritized. Treating the fever with acetaminophen before obtaining blood cultures may interfere with the interpretation of the results. Thus, while administering acetaminophen is appropriate for fever management, it should not precede the collection of blood cultures.

Choice E rationale:

Administer diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, is generally used to manage allergic reactions or symptoms such as itching. In this scenario, there is no indication of an allergic reaction or symptoms that would warrant the use of diphenhydramine. The primary concern is the patient’s fever and possible infection at the AVF site. Administering diphenhydramine does not address the infection or fever management in a manner that would influence the immediate treatment plan. Hence, while diphenhydramine might be used for symptomatic relief in other situations, it is not the priority in this context.

Choice F rationale:

Obtain blood cultures is the correct priority because it is crucial for diagnosing the source of infection. The patient presents with a high fever and signs of possible infection at the AVF site. Blood cultures need to be obtained before starting antibiotics to identify the causative organism and tailor the antibiotic treatment accordingly. This step is critical to ensure effective and targeted treatment and to avoid compromising the diagnostic process. Accurate identification of the pathogen through blood cultures will guide the appropriate use of antibiotics and other treatments, making this the first action the nurse should take.