The nurse is administering subcutaneous enoxaparin to a client following knee replacement surgery to prevent a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory result requires immediate action by the nurse?

Reference Range:

Hematocrit [42% to 52% (0.42 to 0.52 volume fraction)]

Platelets [150,000 to 400,000/mm (150 to 400 x 10L)

Creatinine (0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL (44 to 97 μmol/L)]

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) [10 to 20 mg/dl (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L)]

A) Cheese, milk, and yogurt: These foods are high in calcium and may not be the best choice for a client taking furosemide, as they can contribute to calcium levels and potentially exacerbate hypercalcemia, which is a risk with loop diuretic use.

B) Bananas, oranges, and peaches: This is the correct response. These fruits are rich in potassium, which is often depleted in clients taking loop diuretics like furosemide. Encouraging foods high in potassium can help replenish electrolytes and prevent hypokalemia.

C) Pasta, cereal, and bread: While these foods are generally well-tolerated and can provide carbohydrates for energy, they do not specifically address the electrolyte imbalances associated with loop diuretic use.

D) Liver, beef, and chicken: These foods are good sources of protein but do not directly address the electrolyte imbalances associated with loop diuretic use.

Therefore, encouraging the client to consume foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, and peaches, can help offset the potassium loss caused by furosemide and mitigate the risk of hypokalemia.

A) Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate: Assessing the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate is important for promoting independence in toileting. However, this assessment may not directly indicate the need for administering a laxative. It is more relevant for clients who are able to ambulate or have control over their bowel movements.

B) Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements: Assessing the frequency and consistency of bowel movements provides valuable information about the client's bowel function and helps determine the need for a laxative. It allows the nurse to establish a baseline and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Understanding the client's typical bowel pattern is crucial before administering a laxative to avoid overmedication or potential complications such as diarrhea or fecal impaction.

C) Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas: Assessing skin integrity in the rectal and sacral areas is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers, especially in bedfast clients. However, it is not directly related to the need for administering a laxative.

D) Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed: While assessing the client's strength and mobility is important for overall care and prevention of complications related to immobility, it may not be directly related to the need for administering a laxative. This assessment is more relevant for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and maintaining musculoskeletal function.