A nurse is providing care for a patient who has deep vein thrombosis.

The patient is prescribed heparin, which is to be administered via continuous IV infusion at a rate of 1,200 units/hr. If the available heparin is 25,000 units in 500 mL DSW, how many mL/hr should the IV pump be set to deliver?

(Round your answer to the nearest tenth or whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A rationale

While gastric acid can cause dyspepsia, measuring gastric residual is not primarily done to remove gastric acid.

Choice B rationale

Measuring gastric residual is primarily done to identify delayed gastric emptying. This is important because delayed gastric emptying can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Choice C rationale

Gastric residual does not directly determine the patient’s electrolyte balance.

Choice D rationale

While confirming the placement of the NG tube is important, it is not the primary purpose of measuring gastric residual.

Choice A rationale

A colonoscopy is the standard investigation for colorectal cancer. It allows for the visualization of the entire colon and rectum, and can also allow for the removal of polyps and the taking of biopsies if needed.

Choice B rationale

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure used to diagnose diseases of the gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, and liver, not rectal cancer.

Choice C rationale

An upper GI series, which involves X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, would not be used for screening for rectal cancer.

Choice D rationale

An upper GI endoscopy, which involves the use of a flexible endoscope to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, would not be used for screening for rectal cancer.