A patient admitted to the hospital with a suspected ruptured diverticulum develops signs and symptoms of septic shock.

The healthcare provider prescribes a sepsis protocol.

Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale
While the patient’s currently prescribed medications are important information, they are not the most immediate concern in this situation. The healthcare provider will need this information, but it does not need to be the first piece of information provided.

Choice B rationale
The increasing confusion of the patient is the most immediate concern and should be communicated first. Confusion and disorientation can be signs of a serious condition such as a brain injury, especially following a fall. It is crucial to relay this information to the healthcare provider as soon as possible so that appropriate diagnostic tests can be ordered and treatment can be initiated.
Choice C rationale
The patient’s healthcare power of attorney is important information, especially if the patient’s condition worsens and they are unable to make decisions for themselves. However, this information does not need to be communicated first. The immediate concern is the patient’s medical condition.
Choice D rationale
The fall from a ladder is certainly important information as it provides context for the patient’s current condition. However, it does not need to be the first piece of information provided. The healthcare provider will likely infer that a fall has occurred based on the other information provided (e.g., confusion, potential loss of consciousness).

Choice A rationale
A potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L) is within the normal range. Potassium is a critical electrolyte in the body, playing key roles in cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, and electrical action potential regulation across cell membranes. Normal potassium levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.1 mmol/L1. Therefore, a potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L indicates that the patient’s potassium level is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice B rationale

The use of antibiotics for prophylaxis, or prevention, is a common practice in healthcare, particularly in surgical procedures such as pacemaker insertion. This is done to prevent potential infections that could occur during or after the procedure. Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic that is often used for prophylaxis against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)3. Therefore, if the antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice C rationale
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L) is within the normal range. The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, which can provide important information about kidney function. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is created in the liver when protein is metabolized. It is then transported through the blood to the kidneys, which filter out most of the urea nitrogen, leaving a small amount in the blood. Normal BUN levels typically range from 6 to 20 mg/dL4. Therefore, a BUN level of 17 mg/dL indicates that the patient’s kidney function is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice E rationale
The absence of known allergies in a patient is a crucial factor in determining the safety of administering any medication, including vancomycin. Allergic reactions to medications can range from mild symptoms such as rash and itching to severe and life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, if a patient has no known allergies, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice D rationale

While it’s true that the dosage of the antibiotic should be within the safe range, the specific dosage of vancomycin for the patient isn’t provided in the question. Therefore, we cannot definitively say that this condition is met based on the information given.
Choice F rationale
Although vancomycin can be administered via a peripheral IV in a large vein, it’s important to note that vancomycin has a low pH and may cause venous irritation and tissue damage in cases of extravasation. Therefore, while it’s possible to administer vancomycin this way, it’s not necessarily an indicator of safety.