A nurse is caring for a client who is being treated for acute opioid toxicity. The client has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) prescription, but the family would like to remove it. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Rationale:

A. Respite care: Respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers, but it does not directly assist clients with limited financial resources in obtaining home IV therapy or covering medical costs. This resource may be helpful later but is not a primary financial support option.

B. Food stamps: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, helps low-income clients access adequate nutrition. Proper nutrition is important for healing and overall health, making this a relevant resource for a client below the poverty level.

C. Medicaid: Medicaid provides health coverage for low-income individuals and can help cover costs associated with home IV therapy, medications, and other healthcare needs. It is an appropriate recommendation for a client who meets income eligibility criteria.

D. Medicare Part A: Medicare primarily covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health services for clients over 65 or with certain disabilities. A young adult below the poverty level may not qualify, making this less appropriate for the scenario.

E. Adult day care: Adult day care provides socialization and supervision during the day, mainly for older adults or those with cognitive impairments. It does not address financial assistance or coverage for home IV therapy, so it is not a primary resource in this case.

Rationale:

A. Enoxaparin 80 mg subcutaneous twice a day: Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant used for prevention or treatment of thromboembolic events. There is no indication from the client’s current labs, vitals, or diagnostics (D-dimer within normal limits, no evidence of clot) to initiate anticoagulation at this time.

B. Potassium chloride 20 mEq PO twice a day: The client’s potassium level is 3.6 mEq/L, which is at the lower end of the normal range. Supplementation may be warranted, particularly if antihypertensive therapy such as a diuretic is initiated, to prevent hypokalemia and maintain cardiac stability.

C. Ciprofloxacin 750 mg PO twice a day: There is no evidence of bacterial infection in the client’s assessment, labs, or diagnostics. Prescribing an antibiotic is unnecessary and not indicated.

D. Enalapril 5 mg PO daily: The client’s blood pressure is 164/92 mm Hg, which is hypertensive. Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, is appropriate to manage hypertension, reduce cardiovascular risk, and potentially improve renal outcomes given the family history of renal failure.

E. Rosuvastatin 20 mg PO daily: The client has significantly elevated cholesterol (total cholesterol 280 mg/dL, LDL 220 mg/dL, HDL 20 mg/dL) and triglycerides 220 mg/dL. Initiating a statin is appropriate to reduce cardiovascular risk and manage hyperlipidemia.

F. Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily: The client does not exhibit heart failure symptoms or arrhythmias that require digoxin at this time. ECG shows only sinus tachycardia without S-T changes, so digoxin is not indicated.

G. Metformin 850 mg PO daily: The client’s glucose is 310 mg/dL and HbA1c is 7%, indicating diabetes mellitus. Initiating metformin is appropriate for glycemic control and to reduce the risk of complications associated with hyperglycemia.

H. Albuterol 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hr as needed: The client’s lungs are clear on auscultation, and there is no active respiratory distress. Albuterol is not indicated for ongoing therapy in this assessment.