The nurse is monitoring a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a hypophysectomy.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient’s plan of care?

Maintain nasal packing.

Monitor intake and output.

Provide frequent oral care.

Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
Maintaining nasal packing is important after a hypophysectomy, especially if the surgery was performed through the nose (transnasal). However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)4.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring intake and output is a standard nursing intervention in the PACU. It helps assess the patient’s fluid balance and kidney function. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with Cushing’s disease following a hypophysectomy.
Choice C rationale
Providing frequent oral care is important for patient comfort and prevention of infections, but it is not the most important intervention for a patient with Cushing’s disease in the PACU following a hypophysectomy.

Choice D rationale
Keeping the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees is the most important intervention for a patient with Cushing’s disease in the PACU following a hypophysectomy. This position helps reduce swelling, decreases the risk of aspiration, and promotes effective breathing and drainage.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Mixing the dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not the best method for administering the medication. This would dilute the dextrose, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Choice B rationale
Diluting the dextrose in one liter of 0.9% normal saline solution is not the best method for administering the medication. This would significantly dilute the dextrose, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Choice C rationale
Asking the pharmacist to add the dextrose to a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution is not the best method for administering the medication. This would not provide the immediate glucose boost needed to counteract insulin shock.
Choice D rationale

Pushing the undiluted dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the best method for administering the medication. This allows for rapid administration of a concentrated glucose solution, which is necessary to quickly raise blood glucose levels in a patient experiencing insulin shock.

A. Mix the dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL. B. Dilute the dextrose in one liter of 0.9% normal saline solution. C. Request the pharmacist to add the dextrose to a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution. D. Administer the undiluted dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV. .

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Mixing the dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. This would dilute the dextrose, reducing its concentration and potentially making it less effective.
Choice B rationale
Diluting the dextrose in one liter of 0.9% normal saline solution is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. This would significantly dilute the dextrose, reducing its concentration and potentially making it less effective.
Choice C rationale
Requesting the pharmacist to add the dextrose to a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. While dextrose is often a component of TPN solutions, in this case, the patient requires a concentrated dose of dextrose to treat insulin shock.

Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Administering the undiluted dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the appropriate method for administering the medication. This allows for the rapid administration of a concentrated dose of glucose, which is necessary to quickly raise the patient’s blood glucose level in the case of insulin shock.

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The nurse is monitoring a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a hypophysectomy. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient’s plan of care?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient experiencing insulin shock. What is the best method for administering the medication?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient with insulin shock. What is the appropriate method for administering the medication?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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The nurse is monitoring a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a hypophysectomy.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient’s plan of care?