The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with emphysema. The nurse should prioritize which potential complication?

The client with Addison's disease is experiencing weakness, confusion, and dehydration, which can be indicative of an adrenal crisis. The low sodium level (129 mEq/L) and low glucose level (54 mg/dl) further support this suspicion. An acute viral infection can trigger an adrenal crisis in individuals with Addison's disease.

Intravenous hydrocortisone, a glucocorticoid, is the treatment of choice for managing an adrenal crisis. It helps to replenish cortisol levels and stabilize the client's condition.

Hydrocortisone helps in restoring the body's stress response and regulating electrolyte and glucose levels.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic may be necessary if there is evidence of a bacterial infection, but it does not directly address the symptoms associated with Addison's disease.

Regular insulin is used for managing high blood glucose levels in conditions such as diabetes, but in this case, the client has low glucose levels, so insulin is not the appropriate intervention.

Potassium chloride is a medication used to treat low potassium levels (hypokalemia), but the client's potassium level is within the reference range (5.3 mEq/L). Therefore, potassium chloride is not indicated in this situation.

A) Incorrect - Phototherapy, often used to treat conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or certain skin conditions, involves exposure to specific wavelengths of light. It is not typically used as a treatment for distressing thoughts and memories related to trauma, as described in the client's situation.
B) Incorrect - Lithium is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder and is not a first-line treatment for trauma-related symptoms or acute stress disorder. The client's symptoms are more indicative of trauma-related distress, which would be addressed through psychotherapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
C) Incorrect - "Consciousness-raising" is not a recognized treatment intervention in this context.

It's important to focus on evidence-based therapeutic approaches for trauma-related symptoms, such as psychotherapy and support services.
D) Correct - Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is Given the client's distressing thoughts and memories, CBT is a highly effective psychotherapy approach. It focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with trauma. CBT can help the client develop healthier coping strategies.
E) Correct - Animal-assisted therapy involves interacting with trained animals to improve emotional well-being. Since the client expresses feeling unhappy and having difficulty coping, animal therapy can provide comfort, reduce stress, and promote a sense of companionship.
F) Incorrect - Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment primarily used for severe cases of depression or certain psychiatric conditions that are unresponsive to other treatments. It involves inducing controlled seizures to affect brain chemistry. ECT is not a first-line treatment for the client's distressing thoughts and memories following a traumatic event.