A client is admitted with sudden abdominal pain and possible acute pancreatitis. Which serum laboratory test result(s) should the nurse monitor? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Evaluating consciousness assesses neurological status but is less urgent than cardiac monitoring. Electrical injuries risk arrhythmias due to current disrupting cardiac conduction, and altered consciousness is secondary. Monitoring heart rhythm prevents sudden death, making this intervention less critical initially.

Choice B reason: Continuous cardiac monitoring is critical, as electrical injuries can cause arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation by disrupting cardiac ion channels. Current through the body (hand to foot) risks heart involvement, and monitoring detects life-threatening rhythms, making it the priority intervention for immediate safety.

Choice C reason: Passive range of motion prevents contractures but is not urgent post-electrical injury. Cardiac arrhythmias are a primary risk, as current affects heart conduction, and mobility is secondary. Monitoring heart rhythm prevents acute complications, making this intervention less immediate.

Choice D reason: Assessing burn depth and extent guides wound care but is secondary to cardiac risks. Electrical injuries cause internal damage, particularly arrhythmias, and cardiac monitoring prevents sudden death, making burn assessment less urgent than ensuring cardiac stability in the initial plan.

Choice A reason: Discussing medications with the provider is necessary but vague and not actionable during the call. Bringing medication containers provides concrete data, ensuring accurate preoperative reconciliation, reducing risks like drug interactions, making this response less effective for immediate medication assessment.

Choice B reason: Bringing prescription records is helpful but less direct than medication containers, which show current drugs, doses, and adherence. Records may be incomplete, and containers allow visual verification, ensuring accurate perioperative planning, making this response secondary to physical medication review.

Choice C reason: Bringing medication containers is the best response, as it allows the nurse to verify all current medications, doses, and schedules. This ensures accurate preoperative reconciliation, preventing drug interactions or withdrawal, critical for safe anesthesia and surgery, making it the priority instruction.

Choice D reason: Obtaining records from the provider is time-consuming and may delay preoperative planning. Medication containers provide immediate, accurate data for reconciliation, reducing risks of errors, making this response less practical than having the client bring physical containers for direct review.