A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. After treating the client’s pain, which of the following should the nurse address as the priority intervention?

Choice A reason: Withhold oral fluids and food

Withholding oral fluids and food (NPO status) is a critical intervention for clients with acute pancreatitis. This helps to rest the pancreas by reducing the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion, which can exacerbate inflammation and pain. Maintaining NPO status is essential to prevent further pancreatic damage and to allow the pancreas to heal.

Choice B reason: Auscultate the client’s lungs

While auscultating the lungs is an important part of the overall assessment, it is not the immediate priority after pain management in acute pancreatitis. Respiratory complications can occur, but the primary focus should be on managing the pancreatic inflammation and preventing further damage.

Choice C reason: Provide oral hygiene

Providing oral hygiene is important for overall patient care, especially when the client is NPO. However, it is not the priority intervention immediately after pain management. The primary concern is to prevent further pancreatic stimulation and manage the inflammation.

Choice D reason: Assist the client to a side-lying position

Assisting the client to a side-lying position can help with comfort and may be beneficial in managing pain. However, it is not the priority intervention. The main focus should be on preventing further pancreatic stimulation by withholding oral intake.

Choice A reason: Free T4

In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones. As a result, free T4 levels are typically low, not elevated. Free T4 is a direct measure of the active thyroid hormone available in the blood. Therefore, an elevation in free T4 is not expected in primary hypothyroidism.

Choice B reason: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is elevated in primary hypothyroidism due to the lack of negative feedback from low thyroid hormone levels. The pituitary gland produces more TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. This is a hallmark finding in primary hypothyroidism and is used as a key diagnostic indicator.

Choice C reason: Serum T3

Serum T3 levels can be variable in primary hypothyroidism. While they may be low, they are often maintained within the normal range until the condition becomes severe. This is because T3 is produced in smaller quantities and has a shorter half-life compared to T4. Therefore, an elevation in serum T3 is not typically seen in primary hypothyroidism.

Choice D reason: Serum T4

Similar to free T4, serum T4 levels are usually low in primary hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland’s reduced ability to produce thyroid hormones results in decreased levels of both free and total T4. Thus, an elevation in serum T4 is not expected in primary hypothyroidism.