A nurse is collecting data from a 6-week-old infant. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride with 20 mEq potassium chloride/L at 75 mL/hr: The prescription for dextrose 5% with potassium chloride at 20 mEq/L should be clarified because the child's potassium level is elevated at 6.2 mEq/L (normal range is 3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L). Administering additional potassium could worsen hyperkalemia, which could lead to dangerous complications like arrhythmias.
• Laboratory values: The child's potassium level is already high, and adding more potassium via IV fluids could increase the risk of severe hyperkalemia. The nurse should clarify this prescription to avoid potential harm.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Piperacillin and tazobactam 4g IV every 8 hr: This antibiotic is appropriate for treating pneumonia in a child with cystic fibrosis. No issues with laboratory values or contraindications are present in this case, so clarification is unnecessary.
• Dornase alfa 2.5 mg inhalation every day: Dornase alfa is used to break down mucus in the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis, and it is prescribed appropriately for this patient. The child’s current condition and medications do not warrant clarification for this prescription.
• Pancrelipase 8,000 units with meals: Pancrelipase is indicated for the child’s cystic fibrosis to assist with digestion, and the prescribed dosage seems appropriate for the child’s weight and condition.
• Albuterol nebulizer 2.5 mg inhalation every 4 hr: Albuterol is used for airway clearance, which is appropriate for managing the child's respiratory symptoms. No clarification is needed for this prescription based on the current findings.
• Vital signs: While the child's heart rate and temperature are elevated, they are within expected ranges for the child’s condition (fever, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis). There is no immediate need for clarification of medications based on vital signs alone.
• Scheduled therapapy: The child is scheduled for chest physiotherapy and airway clearance therapy, which are standard treatments for cystic fibrosis and pneumonia. There is no issue with the scheduled therapies that requires clarification of the medications.
• Diet: The child has been prescribed a high-protein, high-fat diet to support nutritional needs, especially important in cystic fibrosis. The diet does not require any clarification in relation to the prescribed medications.
• Pre-existing conditions: The child’s pre-existing condition of cystic fibrosis is already taken into account in the prescribed treatments, and no adjustment is needed based on the conditions present.

A. Administer two puffs of albuterol: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used as a quick-relief (rescue) medication for asthma attacks. It helps to open the airways and alleviate difficulty breathing. The nurse should administer albuterol as directed to help relieve the child’s symptoms.
B. Instruct the child to perform controlled breathing exercises: While controlled breathing exercises can be helpful for managing asthma, they are not the first action during an acute asthma attack. The priority is to use a quick-relief medication like albuterol.
C. Place the child in the supine position: Placing the child in the supine (lying flat) position could worsen breathing difficulty. The child should be placed in an upright position to help facilitate better airflow and reduce breathing distress during an asthma attack.
D. Encourage the use of a flutter mucus clearance device: A flutter mucus clearance device is used to help clear mucus in the lungs, but it is not appropriate for managing acute asthma symptoms. The priority is to administer a bronchodilator to relieve airway constriction.