A nurse is teaching a client who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Rationale:

A. Decreased creatine kinase-MB: CK-MB is a cardiac enzyme that rises within 4–6 hours of myocardial infarction and peaks around 24 hours. A decrease in CK-MB would not indicate acute myocardial injury and is not a diagnostic marker in this case.

B. Decrease in respiratory rate: A lower respiratory rate is not a typical or reliable indicator of myocardial infarction. Clients experiencing an MI are more likely to show signs of dyspnea, anxiety, or increased respiratory effort due to pain or decreased oxygenation.

C. ST segment depression: ST segment depression may indicate myocardial ischemia or a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), but it is less specific than biomarkers like troponin. It may also appear in other conditions such as angina or electrolyte imbalances.

D. Increased troponin I: Troponin I is a highly specific and sensitive cardiac biomarker that rises within 3–6 hours of myocardial injury. An elevated troponin I level 6 hours after the onset of chest pain strongly supports the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Rationale:

A. Assess the client's lung sounds prior to the infusion: Pre-transfusion assessment of lung sounds is essential to detect any baseline abnormalities and to monitor for fluid overload or transfusion-related lung complications such as transfusion-associated circulatory overload.

B. Infuse the blood over 4 hr: Older adults are at increased risk for fluid overload, so transfusing packed RBCs slowly over 4 hours is appropriate and safer, as long as the blood is completely administered within the maximum 4-hour window from removal from refrigeration.

C. Verify with another nurse that the unit of blood is compatible with the client's blood type: A dual verification process is mandatory to ensure safe administration. The nurse must check the client’s ID, blood type, unit number, and expiration date with another licensed professional before initiating the transfusion.

D. Prime the infusion tubing with 0.45% sodium chloride: Only 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) should be used to prime and flush blood transfusion tubing. Hypotonic solutions like 0.45% sodium chloride can cause hemolysis and should never be used with blood products.

E. Don sterile gloves to prepare the blood administration setup: Sterile gloves are not necessary for setting up a blood transfusion. Clean gloves are sufficient for handling equipment and initiating IV therapy, following standard precautions.