A patient has been admitted to the postsurgical nursing unit after surgery. The health care provider has ordered the patient to have an IV of 0.9 sodium chloride. The nurse who is caring for the patient recognizes this as what type of solution?

A. Pantoprazole belongs to a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which work by reducing the production of gastric acid in the stomach. This helps in treating conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn effectively.

B. Pantoprazole is not known to cause hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a condition characterized by high levels of potassium in the blood, and it is typically associated with certain medications (e.g., potassium- sparing diuretics) or medical conditions affecting kidney function. Pantoprazole's primary side effects relate to its effects on gastric acid production and absorption of certain nutrients.

C. While pantoprazole is usually taken once daily, the timing of administration is typically in the morning, before a meal. This helps to maximize its effectiveness in reducing gastric acid secretion when the stomach acid production is at its highest.

D. Pantoprazole should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal. This timing allows the medication to be absorbed properly and work effectively to reduce gastric acid production.

A. Leaving small air bubbles in the new infusion tubing is incorrect. Air bubbles should be primed out of the tubing before use to prevent air embolism.

B. Inserting the new device distal to the old IV site is incorrect. The new IV site should be placed proximal to the old site to avoid complications from previous catheter use and ensure proper circulation.

C. Wearing clean gloves during the new IV insertion is correct. Clean gloves are appropriate when inserting a new short peripheral IV device. Sterile gloves are generally required for more invasive procedures, but when changing the device itself, clean gloves are sufficient.

D. Shaving the hair on the client's skin before inserting the new IV is incorrect. Shaving the skin is not recommended because it can cause small nicks that increase the risk of infection. Clipping the hair, if necessary, is the preferred method.