To control asthma, a client in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system, which provides an inhaled powdered form of these combined medications. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client’s caregivers?

 

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Determine the total volume to be infused.

• The IV bag contains 200 mL of solution.

Step 2: Determine the infusion time.

• The infusion time is 1 hour.

Step 3: Calculate the infusion rate.

• Infusion rate = Total volume ÷ Infusion time
• Infusion rate = 200 mL ÷ 1 hour

Result: The infusion rate is 200 mL/hr.

Choice A: Capillary refill 2 seconds

Reason: Capillary refill time is a quick test to assess peripheral perfusion and hydration status. A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Initially, the patient had a capillary refill time of 5 seconds, indicating poor perfusion, likely due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. After the administration of IV fluids and sodium bicarbonate, the capillary refill time improved to 2 seconds, which is within the normal range. This improvement indicates that the treatment was effective in restoring adequate perfusion and hydration, making it a therapeutic result.

Choice B: Blood pressure 113/72 mm Hg

Reason: Normal blood pressure for adults is typically around 120/80 mm Hg. The patient’s initial blood pressure was 100/77 mm Hg, which is on the lower side, likely due to dehydration. After receiving IV fluids and sodium bicarbonate, the blood pressure improved to 113/72 mm Hg, which is closer to the normal range. This indicates that the treatment helped to stabilize the patient’s blood pressure, making it a therapeutic result.

Choice C: Bicarbonate 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L)

Reason: The normal range for bicarbonate (HCO3) is 21 to 28 mEq/L. The patient’s initial bicarbonate level was 15 mEq/L, indicating metabolic acidosis, likely due to severe vomiting and diarrhea. After the administration of sodium bicarbonate, the bicarbonate level increased to 22 mEq/L, which is within the normal range. This indicates that the sodium bicarbonate effectively corrected the metabolic acidosis, making it a therapeutic result.

Choice D: Sodium 152 mEq/L (152 mmol/L)

Reason: The normal range for sodium is 135 to 145 mEq/L. The patient’s sodium level of 152 mEq/L is above the normal range, indicating hypernatremia. This could be a non-therapeutic side effect of the sodium bicarbonate administration, as sodium bicarbonate can increase sodium levels in the blood. Hypernatremia can lead to symptoms such as confusion, muscle twitching, and seizures, and requires careful monitoring and management.

Choice E: 400 mL urine output

Reason: The patient’s urine output of 400 mL is not directly related to the administration of sodium bicarbonate. Urine output is influenced by various factors, including fluid intake, kidney function, and overall hydration status. In this case, the urine output is more likely related to the patient’s overall fluid balance and hydration status rather than a direct effect of the sodium bicarbonate. Therefore, it is considered an unrelated finding.

Choice F: Heart rate 77 beats/minute

Reason: A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. The patient’s initial heart rate was 102 beats per minute, which is elevated, likely due to dehydration and metabolic acidosis. After receiving IV fluids and sodium bicarbonate, the heart rate decreased to 77 beats per minute, which is within the normal range. This indicates that the treatment helped to stabilize the patient’s heart rate, making it a therapeutic result.