As a result of the Adult Protective Services investigation, additional care has been established for the client including physical and occupational therapy twice weekly and a home health aide to provide assistance with activities of daily living.

Select from statement options to complete the sentence.

To assess outcomes, the nurse should consider information reported by the client and caregiver and focus on evaluating the client's

dropdown

and

dropdown

.

Cardiovascular

- Capillary refill 4 seconds

- A prolonged capillary refill time indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which can be a sign of hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to the tissues, resulting in delayed capillary refill.

Respiratory

- Oxygen saturation 90% on room air

- An oxygen saturation level of 90% is below the normal range (95-100%) and indicates that the blood is not adequately oxygenated, which is a direct sign of hypoxia.

- Respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute

- An elevated respiratory rate (tachypnea) is a common compensatory mechanism in response to hypoxia. The body attempts to increase oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion by breathing more rapidly.

Neurological

- Anxious

- Anxiety can be a symptom of hypoxia. When the brain and other vital organs do not receive enough oxygen, it can trigger a sense of anxiety and restlessness as part of the body's alarm system.

- Restless

- Restlessness is another common symptom of hypoxia. It occurs because the body is trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen, leading to increased agitation and an inability to remain
calm.

Rationales for the Incorrect Choices:

- Cardiovascular

- Heart rate 101 beats/minute: While an elevated heart rate can be a compensatory response to hypoxia, it alone does not directly indicate hypoxia.
- Blood pressure 145/89 mm Hg: Elevated blood pressure is not a direct indicator of hypoxia and can be influenced by various factors including anxiety and pain.

- Respiratory

- Productive cough: A productive cough suggests respiratory infection or inflammation but does not directly measure oxygenation status or indicate hypoxia.

- Neurological

- Awake and alert: Being awake and alert indicates normal mental status and does not suggest hypoxia. Hypoxia typically affects cognitive function, leading to confusion or decreased level of consciousness in more severe cases.

A: Using a different sphygmomanometer would not address the underlying cause of the spasms, which is likely not related to the equipment itself.
B: Taking the blood pressure in the other arm may avoid the spasms temporarily, but it does not address the potential underlying medical issue causing the spasms.
C: Administering an antianxiety medication is not indicated as the spasms are not necessarily related to anxiety; they could be a sign of a physiological condition.
D: Reviewing the client's serum calcium level is the most appropriate action. The spasms described are indicative of Trousseau's sign, which is associated with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can cause increased neuromuscular excitability, leading to spasms. It is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of the spasms, which in this case could be a calcium deficiency.