A nurse is providing information for a client who has a new prescription for simvastatin. For which of the following should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider?

A, B, C, D, and H. Here is why:.

• A. Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is elevated at 118/min, which could indicate blood loss, dehydration, pain, anxiety, or infection. This finding requires immediate follow-up to assess the cause and intervene as needed.
• B. Current medications: The client is taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily PRN for arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastric irritation, ulceration, and bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to evaluate the client’s pain level, medication use, and possible alternatives to NSAIDs.
• C. Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is low at 90/50 mm Hg, which could indicate hypovolemia, shock, or cardiac dysfunction. This finding requires immediate follow-up to monitor the client’s fluid status, perfusion, and organ function.
• D. Stool results: The client’s stool tested positive for occult blood and H. pylori bacteria. Occult blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be related to the client’s abdominal pain and weight loss. H. pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease, which can also cause bleeding and pain. This finding requires immediate follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment with antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs.

• H. Hemoglobin and hematocrit: The client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low at 9.1 g/dL and 27%, respectively. These values indicate anemia, which could be caused by chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiency, or bone marrow suppression. This finding requires immediate follow-up to determine the etiology and severity of the anemia and provide appropriate therapy such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, or erythropoietin.

The other findings are not as urgent as the ones above:.

• E. Respiratory rate: The client’s respiratory rate is normal at 18/min. There is no evidence of respiratory distress or hypoxia.
• F. WBC count: The client’s WBC count is normal at 6,700/mm3. There is no indication of infection or inflammation.
• G. Temperature: The client’s temperature is slightly elevated at 37.5° C (99.5° F), but not enough to warrant immediate concern. It could be due to stress, dehydration, or a mild infection. The nurse should monitor the temperature trend and report any significant changes or signs of sepsis.

The correct answer is choice A. Limit oral feedings to 30 min in length.

This is because infants with heart failure have difficulty feeding and may become exhausted or dyspneic during prolonged feedings. By limiting the feeding time, the nurse can reduce the energy expenditure and caloric needs of the infant.

Choice B is wrong because weighing the infant every other day is not enough to monitor the fluid status and nutritional intake of the infant. The nurse should weigh the infant daily at the same time using the same scale.

Choice C is wrong because placing the infant in the prone position can compromise the respiratory function and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The nurse should place the infant in a semi-Fowler’s position to facilitate breathing and decrease venous return.

Choice D is wrong because checking the infant’s oxygen saturation every 6 hr is not frequent enough to detect hypoxia or cyanosis. The nurse should monitor the oxygen saturation continuously or at least every 2 hr.