A patient with peripheral vascular disease has been on pentoxifylline (Trental) for 2 weeks.

Which statements by the patient indicate no need for further patient teaching about the disease? Select all that apply.

The nurse should contact the provider before administering furosemide because the patient has a low serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L, which is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.Furosemide is a diuretic that can cause potassium loss and worsen hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The nurse should also monitor the patient’s blood pressure, weight, and urine output, as furosemide can lower blood pressure and cause dehydration.

Choice A. Administer medication is wrong because the nurse should not give furosemide without checking with the provider first, as it could be harmful to the patient with low potassium.

Choice C. Hold medication is wrong because the nurse should not withhold furosemide without a valid reason or an order from the provider, as it could cause fluid overload and worsen the patient’s condition.

Choice D. Give potassium supplement is wrong because the nurse should not give potassium supplement without an order from the provider, as it could cause hyperkalemia or interact with other medications.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 74% of all deaths. NCDs are chronic diseases that are not transmitted from person to person, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.The main risk factors for NCDs are modifiable behaviours, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol.These behaviours can lead to metabolic risk factors, such as raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids and obesity, which in turn increase the risk of developing NCDs. Therefore, lifestyle changes that reduce these risk factors can prevent or delay many NCDs and improve health outcomes.

Choice A is wrong because trauma is not a major contributing factor to many diseases.Trauma is an injury or damage to living tissue caused by an external force, such as accidents, violence or natural disasters.Trauma can result in acute or chronic conditions, such as infections, fractures, burns, bleeding or organ failure.

However, trauma is not a common cause of NCDs, which are the main burden of disease globally.

Choice C is wrong because congenital factors are not the greatest contributing factor to many diseases.Congenital factors are those that are present at birth, such as genetic disorders, birth defects or inherited diseases.Congenital factors can affect the development and function of various organs and systems in the body, leading to various health problems.

However, congenital factors are not the main cause of NCDs, which are largely influenced by environmental and behavioural factors.

Choice D is wrong because genetics is not the greatest contributing factor to many diseases.

Genetics is the study of how traits are inherited and expressed in living organisms.

Genetics can influence the susceptibility and resistance to various diseases, as well as the response to treatment and prevention strategies.

However, genetics is not the sole determinant of health and disease, as environmental and behavioural factors also play a significant role in modulating gene expression and function.