A nurse is admitting a client who reports tightness in their chest that radiates to left arm.

Exhibits

The nurse is reviewing the client's medical record. Select the four findings that require immediate follow-up.

A. This prescription addresses hypokalemia. Potassium chloride is administered intravenously to help normalize potassium levels within the desired range. However, in this case the patient’s potassium is 5.5 hence does not require potassium chloride.

B. The client has mild hyperkalemia; hence, continuous cardiac monitoring is prudent to detect any potential arrhythmias or changes in cardiac status. However, the priority interventions are insulin therapy, hydration, and urinary catheter insertionto monitor input and output.

C. Subcutaneous insulin administration may be appropriate for clients with diabetes mellitus, but in this case, the client's blood glucose level is critically high, and they may be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires rapid correction. Subcutaneous insulin administration would not provide the prompt and aggressive treatment required for DKA.

D. This prescription addresses the client's hyperglycemia and acidosis indicated by the blood glucose level of 468 mg/dL and pH of 7.30, respectively. Continuous intravenous insulin infusion is the standard treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) to lower blood glucose levels and correct acidosis.

E. This prescription addresses the client's dehydration indicated by the elevated blood glucose level, decreased blood pressure, and slight tenting of the skin. Intravenous fluid resuscitation with 0.9% sodium chloride is initiated to restore intravascular volume and correct electrolyte imbalances.

F. Administering D5W intravenously is contraindicated in the setting of hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because it would exacerbate the already elevated blood glucose levels. D5W contains glucose and would further increase blood glucose levels, worsening the client's condition.

G. While monitoring blood glucose levels is important for clients with diabetes, checking it every 4 hours is not sufficient in this scenario, especially given the client's markedly elevated blood glucose level of 468 mg/dL and symptoms suggestive of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Therefore, blood glucose levels should be monitored at least hourly.

H. Monitoring urine output is important in clients with diabetes and dehydration. Therefore, inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is important in this scenario.

The client's pain level should be addressed first based on the principle of prioritizing interventions according to the client's immediate needs and potential severity of the condition. Chest pain, especially when radiating to the left arm, is a concerning symptom that can indicate myocardial ischemia or infarction. It is essential to promptly assess and manage the client's pain to provide relief and potentially mitigate further cardiac damage. In this scenario, the client rates the pain as 7 out of 10, indicating moderate to severe discomfort, which warrants immediate attention.

After addressing the client's pain level, the nurse should focus on the client's ECG results. The ECG findings of tachycardia with ST segment elevation and T wave changes are indicative of myocardial ischemia or infarction. These changes suggest ongoing myocardial damage and require further evaluation and intervention. The ECG results provide crucial information about the client's cardiac status and guide subsequent treatment decisions, such as initiating interventions to restore myocardial perfusion or preparing for invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization.