The nurse is caring for a client who arrives to the emergency department with reports of experiencing dizziness and difficulty walking to the bathroom.
The nurse observes right-sided weakness and sluggish enunciation of speech. The nurse should immediately take which action?

Choice A reason: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are vital signs that should be monitored in any client, but they are not laboratory results. ESRD can cause hypertension and cardiovascular complications, so blood pressure and heart rate should be controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Temperature should be monitored for signs of infection or inflammation.

Choice B reason: Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are not specific laboratory results for ESRD. Leukocytes and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that indicate immune system activity and infection. Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can affect the immune system and the thyroid function, but these are not the primary indicators of renal function.

Choice D reason: Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that measure red blood cell count, oxygen-carrying capacity, and blood volume. ESRD can cause anemia due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation in the bone marrow. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, and chest pain. However, these are not the most significant laboratory results for ESRD.

Choice C is correct because pushing the undiluted Dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the best way to administer the medication for a client with insulin shock. Insulin shock is a condition in which the blood glucose level drops too low due to excess insulin or insufficient food intake. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, sweating, tremors, or loss of consciousness. The nurse should administer 50% Dextrose IV as a bolus injection to raise the blood glucose level quickly and prevent brain damage.

Choice A is incorrect because asking the pharmacist to add the Dextrose to a TPN solution is not appropriate for a client with insulin shock. TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition, which is a type of intravenous feeding that provides all the nutrients needed by the body. TPN solutions contain dextrose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in specific concentrations and ratios. Adding extra dextrose to a TPN solution can alter its composition and cause complications such as hyperglycemia or fluid overload.

Choice B is incorrect because mixing the Dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not effective for a client with insulin shock. A piggyback is a type of intravenous infusion that delivers medication through a secondary tubing attached to the primary tubing of another solution. Mixing the Dextrose in a piggyback can dilute its concentration and reduce its potency. It can also delay its delivery and onset of action.

Choice D is incorrect because diluting the Dextrose in one liter of 0.9% Normal Saline solution is not safe for a client with insulin shock. Normal Saline is a type of intravenous fluid that contains sodium chloride in isotonic concentration. Diluting the Dextrose in one liter of Normal Saline can lower its concentration and increase its volume significantly. This can cause complications such as hypoglycemia or fluid overload.