The client is scheduled to receive 30 grams of lactulose orally every 12 hours. An oral solution containing 5 g/10 mL is available. How many mL should be poured into the medication cup to administer the required dose?

Choice A reason: Atropine is not typically used for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. It is an anticholinergic drug that is primarily used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate) and as part of the management of organophosphate poisoning. It does not have a role in the management of pulmonary embolism, which requires anticoagulation to prevent further clot formation.

Choice B reason: Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used to treat fluid overload conditions such as heart failure or edema. While it can help relieve symptoms associated with fluid accumulation, it does not treat the underlying cause of a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the pulmonary arteries.

Choice C reason: Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that is commonly used in the initial treatment of pulmonary embolism. It works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and stopping existing clots from getting bigger. Heparin is often administered intravenously or subcutaneously and is a key component in the management of pulmonary embolism.

Choice D reason: Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that is used to reduce inflammation in various conditions, such as allergic reactions, asthma, and certain types of arthritis. It is not used as a primary treatment for pulmonary embolism, as it does not have anticoagulant properties.

Choice A: Instruct the client to lean forward This action is not related to the assessment of asterixis. Leaning forward can be part of the physical examination for other conditions, such as assessing for spinal issues or abdominal pain, but it does not provoke the characteristic flapping motion of the hands seen in asterixis.

Choice B: Ask the client to extend the arms This is the correct method to assess for asterixis. The patient is asked to extend their arms and dorsiflex their wrists. The nurse then observes for any involuntary flapping movements of the hands, which would indicate the presence of asterixis. This sign is indicative of a disturbance in the central nervous system’s regulation of muscle tone, often due to metabolic liver dysfunction. To assess for asterixis, the nurse should ask the client to extend their arms, which is the standard method for eliciting this sign. The presence of asterixis can help in the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and other metabolic conditions affecting the brain’s control of muscle tone.

Choice C: Dorsiflex the client’s foot Dorsiflexion of the foot is not a method used to assess for asterixis. While changes in muscle tone can be assessed in the lower limbs, asterixis is specifically a hand tremor and is best observed in the upper extremities.

Choice D: Measure the abdominal girth Measuring abdominal girth is relevant in the assessment of ascites, which can occur in cirrhosis, but it is not a method for assessing asterixis. Ascites refers to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, leading to increased abdominal size, which is a common complication of cirrhosis.