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A nurse is caring for a 40-year-old male client in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following abdominal surgery.

Exhibits

Complete the following sentence by using the list of options provided.

The nurse should first address the client’s:

followed by

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"B"}

The nurse should first address the client’s elevated temperature followed by administering fluids.

So, the complete sentence would be: The nurse should first address the client’s elevated temperature followed by administering fluids.

Certainly! Let’s break down the situation and the rationale behind the priorities:

Elevated Temperature

The client’s temperature spiked significantly from 36.7°C (98.1°F) to 40.2°C (104.4°F) within a short period. This rapid increase is concerning for several reasons:

  1. Risk of Hyperthermia: A temperature of 40.2°C is dangerously high and can lead to hyperthermia, which can cause damage to body tissues and organs if not promptly addressed.
  2. Signs of Infection or Sepsis: Such a high fever could indicate a postoperative infection or sepsis, both of which require immediate attention.
  3. Physiological Stress: Elevated temperatures increase metabolic demands, which can exacerbate other symptoms like tachycardia (high heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure).

Administering Fluids

After addressing the elevated temperature, the next priority is to administer fluids. Here’s why:

  1. Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure): The client’s blood pressure dropped from 110/75 mm Hg to 90/60 mm Hg. This hypotension could be due to several factors, including dehydration, fever, or a systemic inflammatory response.
  2. Tachycardia (High Heart Rate): The client’s heart rate increased from 65/min to 125/min. This could be a compensatory mechanism for the low blood pressure or a response to the fever. Administering fluids can help stabilize the blood pressure and reduce the heart rate.
  3. Preventing Shock: Ensuring adequate fluid volume is crucial to prevent hypovolemic shock, which can occur if the body loses too much fluid or blood.

Immediate Actions Taken

The nurse already administered acetaminophen and applied ice packs to help reduce the fever, which are appropriate initial steps. However, continuous monitoring and additional interventions, such as fluid administration, are necessary to stabilize the client’s condition.

Summary

In summary, the nurse should first address the client’s elevated temperature to prevent potential complications from hyperthermia and then administer fluids to stabilize blood pressure and heart rate. This approach prioritizes the most immediate threats to the client’s health and ensures a comprehensive response to the symptoms presented.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Monitoring for weight gain is not a primary concern with pramlintide. Pramlintide is an amylin analog used to control postprandial blood glucose levels. Weight gain is not a typical side effect of pramlintide; instead, it may cause weight loss due to its effects on appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring for hypoglycemia for 3 hours after pramlintide administration is crucial. Pramlintide can increase the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia, especially in patients with type 1 diabetes. This is because pramlintide slows gastric emptying and suppresses glucagon secretion, which can lead to lower blood glucose levels.
Choice C rationale
Injecting pramlintide in the upper arm is not recommended. Pramlintide should be administered subcutaneously in the abdomen or thigh, not the upper arm, to ensure proper absorption and effectiveness.
Choice D rationale
Administering pramlintide 30 minutes prior to a meal is incorrect. Pramlintide should be administered immediately before meals to help control postprandial blood glucose levels effectively.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Dependent edema is not a common adverse effect of gemfibrozil. It is more commonly associated with other conditions such as heart failure.
Choice B rationale
Muscle tenderness is a known adverse effect of gemfibrozil. It can indicate myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, which are serious conditions that require medical attention.
Choice C rationale
Tremors are not a common adverse effect of gemfibrozil. They are more commonly associated with neurological conditions or other medications.
Choice D rationale
Hyperkalemia is not a common adverse effect of gemfibrozil. It is more commonly associated with medications that affect renal function or potassium balance.

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