The nurse is caring for a client who had a cholecystectomy two days ago. The client is febrile, reporting upper abdominal pain radiating to the back and has had three episodes of vomiting in the last 8 hours. The nurse reviews the client's serum amylase and lipase level results which are twice the normal value. Based on these findings, the nurse should recognize the client is exhibiting symptoms of which condition?

Choice A reason: Place the client in a room near the elevator: This does **not** promote client safety, because it exposes the client to more noise and disturbance, which can increase stress and blood pressure. A quiet and calm environment is preferable for stroke clients.

Choice B reason: Complete a swallow study before giving anything by mouth: This **promotes** client safety, because it assesses the client's ability to swallow and prevent aspiration. Stroke clients may have impaired swallowing due to facial weakness or sensory loss.

Choice C reason: Provide a call button kept within reach: This **promotes** client safety, because it allows the client to communicate their needs and request assistance when needed. Stroke clients may have limited mobility or vision, which can increase their risk of falls or injuries.

Choice D reason: Initiate use of the bed alarm: This **promotes** client safety, because it alerts the staff if the client tries to get out of bed without assistance. Stroke clients may have impaired judgment or balance, which can lead to falls or accidents.

Choice E reason: Place client belongings out of reach: This does **not** promote client safety, because it makes the client feel frustrated and helpless. Stroke clients may have difficulty reaching for their belongings due to hemiparesis or hemiplegia, which can affect their self-care and independence. The nurse should place the client's belongings within reach on their unaffected side and encourage them to use them as much as possible.

Choice F reason: Instruct the client to call before getting up: This **promotes** client safety, because it ensures that the client has adequate support and supervision when getting up. Stroke clients may have orthostatic hypotension, which can cause dizziness or fainting when changing positions. The nurse should assist the client to get up slowly and monitor their vital signs.

Choice A reason: Potassium 4.7 mEq/L (4.70 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L). Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high potassium level (hyperkalemia) can cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and arrhythmias.

Choice B reason: Magnesium 2.1 mEq/L (0.86 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L). Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the activity of enzymes, muscles, and nerves, as well as the balance of calcium and potassium in the body. A high magnesium level (hypermagnesemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, flushing, muscle weakness, and respiratory depression. A low magnesium level (hypomagnesemia) can cause muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Choice C reason: Calcium 6.5 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L) is below the normal reference range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.6 mmol/L). Calcium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the function of muscles, nerves, bones, and blood clotting. A high calcium level (hypercalcemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, and bone pain. A low calcium level (hypocalcemia) can cause muscle spasms, cramps, tingling, numbness, and stridor (a high-pitched sound when breathing). **This is a critical value that should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider**, as it can indicate a serious condition such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, or massive blood transfusion.

Choice D reason: Sodium 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L) is slightly below the normal reference range of 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L). Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high sodium level (hypernatremia) can cause thirst, dry mouth, confusion, seizures, and coma. A low sodium level (hyponatremia) can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion.