A postoperative patient who had surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer has been receiving nasogastric suction for 3 days. The patient now has a serum sodium level of 127 mEq/L (127 mmol/L). Which prescribed therapy should the nurse question?

Choice A reason: Burning pain and tingling in extremities are not symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, but of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy affects the sensory and motor nerves that innervate the skin, muscles, and joints. It can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of sensation in the extremities. Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control the involuntary functions of the body, such as digestion, blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating.

Choice B reason: Nausea and feeling of abdominal fullness are symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, specifically of gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach muscles are weakened or paralyzed, and cannot move food properly. It can cause delayed gastric emptying, nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, and poor blood glucose control. Autonomic neuropathy can damage the vagus nerve, which regulates the stomach motility and secretion.

Choice C reason: Elevated blood pressure and delayed capillary refill are not symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, but of cardiovascular problems. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, and capillary refill is the time it takes for the color to return to the nail bed after pressing on it. Elevated blood pressure can indicate hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Delayed capillary refill can indicate poor blood circulation, which can be caused by atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, or shock. Autonomic neuropathy can affect the blood pressure and heart rate, but usually causes hypotension and tachycardia, not hypertension and delayed capillary refill.

Choice D reason: Increased thirst and excessive urination are not symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, but of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot produce or use insulin properly, and the blood glucose level becomes too high. Increased thirst and excessive urination are signs of hyperglycemia, which is a high blood glucose level. Hyperglycemia can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and ketoacidosis. Autonomic neuropathy can be a complication of diabetes mellitus, but it does not cause increased thirst and excessive urination.

Choice A reason: This statement is true. Distended neck veins are a sign of fluid volume overload, as they indicate increased central venous pressure and right-sided heart failure.

Choice B reason: This statement is false. Hypotension is a sign of fluid volume deficit, not fluid volume overload. Hypotension occurs when the blood pressure is too low to perfuse the vital organs.

Choice C reason: This statement is false. Increased serum osmolality is a sign of fluid volume deficit, not fluid volume overload. Increased serum osmolality occurs when the blood concentration of solutes, such as sodium and glucose, is too high due to fluid loss.

Choice D reason: This statement is false. Dry oral mucosa is a sign of fluid volume deficit, not fluid volume overload. Dry oral mucosa occurs when the oral cavity is dehydrated due to fluid loss.

Choice E reason: This statement is true. Decreased urine specific gravity is a sign of fluid volume overload, as it indicates diluted urine and impaired kidney function.

Choice F reason: This statement is true. Weight gain is a sign of fluid volume overload, as it indicates fluid retention and edema.

Choice G reason: This statement is false. Sunken anterior fontanelle is a sign of fluid volume deficit, not fluid volume overload. Sunken anterior fontanelle occurs when the soft spot on the baby's head is depressed due to fluid loss.