A nurse in the emergency room is performing an assessment on a burn victim. She notes his face is a cherry-red color and suspects which of the following problems?

Choice A reason: Vasopressin (Desmopressin) is not primarily used to decrease blood pressure. It is an antidiuretic hormone that helps manage diabetes insipidus by reducing urine output. While vasopressin can have vasoconstrictive effects, its primary role in this context is to control urine production, not blood pressure.

Choice B reason: The primary therapeutic outcome of vasopressin (Desmopressin) in a patient with diabetes insipidus is to decrease urine output. Diabetes insipidus leads to excessive urine production and dehydration. Vasopressin acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby reducing urine volume and helping to maintain fluid balance.

Choice C reason: Level of consciousness is not a direct therapeutic outcome of vasopressin (Desmopressin). While managing fluid balance can indirectly affect a patient's overall condition and well-being, vasopressin specifically targets the kidneys to reduce urine output and does not have a direct impact on consciousness levels.

Choice D reason: Specific gravity refers to the concentration of solutes in the urine. While vasopressin can affect the specific gravity by concentrating the urine and reducing volume, the primary therapeutic goal is to manage urine output in patients with diabetes insipidus. The focus is on reducing the excessive urine production rather than altering specific gravity.

Choice A reason: Effective pain management is the highest priority in the care of a patient with acute pancreatitis. Severe abdominal pain is a hallmark of acute pancreatitis and can significantly impact the patient's comfort and ability to participate in other aspects of their care. Managing pain effectively helps improve the patient's overall well-being and allows for better participation in treatments and recovery.

Choice B reason: Decreasing patient anxiety is important, but it is not the primary goal in the acute management of pancreatitis. Addressing anxiety can help improve the patient's experience and adherence to treatment, but managing pain and hydration are more critical in the immediate care.

Choice C reason: Adequate hydration is crucial in the management of acute pancreatitis, as dehydration can worsen the condition and lead to complications. However, pain management takes precedence because uncontrolled pain can lead to further stress and complications, hindering the effectiveness of hydration and other treatments.

Choice D reason: Decreasing potassium intake is not a primary goal in the management of acute pancreatitis. While electrolyte balance is important, there is no direct indication that potassium levels need to be specifically managed unless there is a documented imbalance. The focus should be on pain management and hydration.