A patient is being discharged home for treatment of hypothyroidism. Which medication is most commonly prescribed for this condition?

Patient Profile:

• Name: Mr. John Smith
• Age: 68 years
• Medical History: Osteoarthritis of the hip, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation
• Current Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin, Warfarin
• Surgical Procedure: Total hip replacement (THR) due to severe pain and limited mobility.

Preoperative Care:

• The nurse conducts a comprehensive assessment, including a physical examination, vital signs, and a review of Mr. Smith's medical history.
• Preoperative labs are ordered with the following abnormal values noted:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC):
    1. Hemoglobin: 12.0 g/dL (normal range: 13.5-17.5 g/dL)
    2. Hematocrit: 36% (normal range: 38.8-50%)
  • Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):
    1. Serum Creatinine: 3 mg/dL (normal range: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL)
    2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 24 mg/dL (normal range: 7-20 mg/dL)

• • Coagulation Studies:
    1. INR: 5 (normal range: 0.8-1.1)

Intraoperative Care:

• The scrub nurse assists in positioning Mr. Smith on the operating table.

Which pre-op abnormal lab value would be the most concerning?

Patient Profile:

• Age: 68 years
• Gender: Male
• Medical History: Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin
• Allergies: None

Chief Complaint: The patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with sudden onset of right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking that began approximately 1 hour prior to arrival.

Choose three parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the patient's progress.

Your spinal cord injury (SCI) patient complains of a throbbing headache and nausea. You observe the patient has marked diaphoresis, and you think the patient may have autonomic dysreflexia. Place the following interventions in the order you would complete them.

Patient Profile:

• Name: Mr. John Smith
• Age: 68 years
• Medical History: Osteoarthritis of the hip, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation
• Current Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin, Warfarin
• Surgical Procedure: Total hip replacement (THR) due to severe pain and limited mobility.

Preoperative Care:

• The nurse conducts a comprehensive assessment, including a physical examination, vital signs, and a review of Mr. Smith's medical history.
• Preoperative labs are ordered with the following abnormal values noted:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC):
    1. Hemoglobin: 12.0 g/dL (normal range: 13.5-17.5 g/dL)
    2. Hematocrit: 36% (normal range: 38.8-50%)
  • Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):
    1. Serum Creatinine: 3 mg/dL (normal range: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL)
    2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 24 mg/dL (normal range: 7-20 mg/dL)

• • Coagulation Studies:
    1. INR: 5 (normal range: 0.8-1.1)

Intraoperative Care:

• The scrub nurse assists in positioning Mr. Smith on the operating table.

During the post-op period, what four potential complications should be monitored?

Patient Profile:

• Name: Mr. John Smith
• Age: 68 years
• Medical History: Osteoarthritis of the hip, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation
• Current Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin, Warfarin
• Surgical Procedure: Total hip replacement (THR) due to severe pain and limited mobility.

Preoperative Care:

• The nurse conducts a comprehensive assessment, including a physical examination, vital signs, and a review of Mr. Smith's medical history.
• Preoperative labs are ordered with the following abnormal values noted:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC):
    1. Hemoglobin: 12.0 g/dL (normal range: 13.5-17.5 g/dL)
    2. Hematocrit: 36% (normal range: 38.8-50%)
  • Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP):
    1. Serum Creatinine: 3 mg/dL (normal range: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL)
    2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 24 mg/dL (normal range: 7-20 mg/dL)

• • Coagulation Studies:
    1. INR: 5 (normal range: 0.8-1.1)

Intraoperative Care:

• The scrub nurse assists in positioning Mr. Smith on the operating table.

Who is responsible for documenting the patient's vital signs during the intra-operative period?