A patient is hospitalized with acute adrenal insufficiency. The nurse determines that the patient is responding favorably to treatment on finding:
Decreasing serum sodium
Decreasing blood glucose
Decreasing serum potassium
Increasing urinary output
The Correct Answer is D
One of the hallmarks of adrenal insufficiency is dehydration and decreased urinary output, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances such as hyperkalemia and hyponatremia. As treatment begins to take effect, the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance should improve, leading to an increase in urinary output. Acute adrenal insufficiency, also known as the Addisonian crisis, is a life-threatening condition caused by a sudden decrease in cortisol and aldosterone hormones. Treatment usually involves the administration of intravenous glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids to replace the deficient hormones.
Decreasing serum sodium (a) and decreasing blood glucose (b) are not signs of improvement but rather indicative of continued adrenal insufficiency. Decreasing serum potassium (c) is also not a sign of improvement as it could indicate that the patient is developing hyperkalemia, which is a potential complication of adrenal crisis.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The patient with primary hyperparathyroidism has high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) which can lead to symptoms such as kidney stones, bone pain, and weakness. High urine calcium levels may also be present due to the increased calcium in the blood.
One important intervention for managing hypercalcemia is to encourage fluid intake to promote increased urine output and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, the nurse should encourage the patient to drink at least 4000 ml of fluids per day.
Seizure precautions (a), range-of-motion exercises (b), and monitoring for positive Chvostek’s or Trousseaus sign (d) are not directly related to managing hypercalcemia and are not necessary in this case.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse will include the instruction "Offer the client the commode or urinal every 2 hours" in the teaching plan for the client's family. This approach is known as timed voiding and can help the client re-establish a regular pattern of urination. Option "a" promotes frequent voiding, which helps
prevent accidents and promotes bladder health. Option "b" is not a recommended approach and can lead to dehydration, urinary tract infections, and other complications. Option "c" is also not recommended since holding urine for extended periods can lead to bladder distention and increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Option "d" is also not recommended since catheterization should only be considered in specific cases where other options have failed or are not feasible.
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