Patient Data

Exhibits

What order(s) should the nurse anticipate being prescribed after an update is reported to the healthcare providers? Select all that apply.

A. Assessing the pin sites for signs of infection is essential in clients with skeletal traction to detect any early signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or purulent drainage. Prompt identification and management of pin site infections can prevent complications.
B. Administering pain medication at designated intervals around the clock helps to ensure adequate pain control and comfort for the client. However, this intervention alone does not specifically address the care needs related to skeletal traction.
C. Assessing the pulses proximal to the fracture site is important for monitoring circulation and detecting any signs of impaired perfusion. However, this assessment is not directly related to the care of skeletal traction itself.
D. Removing traction every shift is not indicated unless there is a specific reason to do so as ordered by the healthcare provider. Continuous traction is often necessary for proper alignment and stabilization of the fracture. Additionally, providing skin care is important to prevent skin breakdown around the traction device, but removing traction every shift is not part of routine care.

A. This intervention is likely to be ordered due to the patient's fever and elevated heart rate, which may suggest dehydration or the need for increased fluid intake to support hemodynamic stability and mitigate the effects of fever and potential dehydration from fever and nausea.
B. Given the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia, the patient will likely be on or start antibiotics specific to this infection, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Monitoring for adverse reactions is crucial, especially in a newly diagnosed HIV-positive patient who might be starting multiple new medications.
C. While it is important to monitor CD4 counts in HIV-positive patients to guide treatment decisions, repeating the CD4 count immediately might not be prioritized unless there are specific clinical changes that suggest a rapid decline in immune function. Given the recent test results showing a CD4 count of 443 cells/mm^3, immediate retesting might not be clinically justified unless guided by other symptoms or considerations not detailed here.
D. Pneumocystis pneumonia does not require airborne isolation as it is not typically contagious between people under normal circumstances. Instead, it arises as an opportunistic infection in individuals with weakened immune systems. Hence, this order would not be appropriate unless there were other infections suspected that require such precautions.
E. The patient reports severe nausea, which not only is distressing but can also prevent the patient from taking oral medications and maintain necessary nutrition. Administering an antiemetic can help manage this symptom effectively.