The nurse continues to care for the client.

Exhibits

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with psychosis or mania. Each finding may support more than one diagnosis.

A. Premature atrial complexes. These are early electrical impulses originating in the atria that cause premature heartbeats, but they do not consistently lengthen the P-R interval. The P-R interval usually remains within normal limits unless another condition is present.
B. First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. A constant P-R interval longer than 0.20 seconds (normal range: 0.12–0.20 seconds) is characteristic of a first-degree AV block. A P-R interval of 0.35 seconds indicates a prolonged conduction delay through the AV node, consistent with this dysrhythmia.
C. Complete heart block. In complete (third-degree) heart block, there is no consistent relationship between P waves and QRS complexes, and the P-R interval is not constant. This is not consistent with a stable, prolonged P-R interval.
D. Atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is marked by irregularly irregular rhythm and absent, unidentifiable P waves, not a consistent P-R interval. The atria are quivering, not contracting in a coordinated way.

This client has multiple risk factors for pancreatitis, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and a history of cardiovascular disease. Although the vital signs are relatively stable, the presence of risk factors and a likely clinical presentation (e.g., abdominal symptoms assumed by context) are consistent with pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed and digestive enzymes may attack pancreatic tissue.

NPO status is essential to rest the gastrointestinal tract and reduce pancreatic stimulation. Opioids are typically required due to the severity of abdominal pain. Elevated glucose can result from impaired insulin production due to pancreatic inflammation. Jaundice may occur if the bile duct is obstructed due to pancreatic swelling or inflammation.