A nurse is caring for a client following a cardiac catheterization who has hives and urticaria following administration of IV contrast dye. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

The client is at highest risk for wound infection as evidenced by the blood glucose level

Rationale

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The client has poorly controlled diabetes with a preoperative Hemoglobin A1C of 9.5% and elevated glucose levels (280 mg/dL currently). Elevated blood glucose levels impair immune function and increase the risk of surgical site infections, including wound infections.

Postoperative state: After total knee arthroplasty, surgical wounds are vulnerable to infection. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) further increases susceptibility to infections due to impaired wound healing and compromised immune response.

Evidence: The client's current blood glucose level of 280 mg/dL (normal range 74 to 106 mg/dL) indicates poor glycemic control, which is a significant risk factor for developing wound infections postoperatively.

D. A weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hours indicates effective diuresis (urine output) and reduction in fluid volume, which is the therapeutic goal of furosemide in treating pulmonary edema.

A Furosemide is a loop diuretic that typically causes a decrease in blood pressure by promoting the excretion of excess fluid and sodium from the body.

B. Adventitious breath sounds such as crackles (rales) indicate the presence of fluid in the lungs, which is a characteristic finding in pulmonary edema.

C. A respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute is within normal range for an adult at rest. While this respiratory rate is not abnormal, it also does not directly indicate whether furosemide is effective in treating pulmonary edema.