A nurse in a long-term care facility is reviewing a client's laboratory results. The client's potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Medical health insurance claims. While insurance coverage is important for referral approval, the physical therapist primarily requires clinical information related to the client's mobility and functional status. Insurance details are handled by administrative staff rather than included in the clinical referral.
B. Physical assessment findings. The physical therapist needs relevant assessment findings, such as muscle strength, range of motion, balance, gait, and mobility limitations. These details help guide therapy goals and interventions to improve the client’s functional abilities.
C. Family medical history. While family history is useful for identifying genetic predispositions to conditions, it is not essential for a physical therapy referral. The focus should be on the client’s current physical status rather than hereditary factors.
D. Medications taken prior to admission. Although a client’s medication history is important for overall care, it is not the primary concern for a physical therapy referral unless specific medications affect mobility, such as muscle relaxants or sedatives. The therapist will rely more on current physical assessment findings to determine appropriate interventions.

A. Oxytocin. This medication is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly to promote uterine contractions and control postpartum hemorrhage. It is not given via the sublingual or rectal route.
B. Misoprostol. This prostaglandin analog is effective in managing postpartum hemorrhage by stimulating uterine contractions. It can be administered via several routes, including oral, sublingual, and rectal, making it a versatile option in hemorrhage control. The rectal route is often preferred in emergencies due to rapid absorption and minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
C. Carboprost. This medication is a prostaglandin used to treat postpartum hemorrhage but is administered intramuscularly rather than sublingually or rectally. It is typically reserved for cases that do not respond to first-line treatments due to its potential for significant gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects.
D. Methylergonovine. This ergot alkaloid is effective in reducing postpartum hemorrhage by inducing strong uterine contractions. However, it is administered intramuscularly or orally and is contraindicated in clients with hypertension due to its vasoconstrictive properties.