The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with advanced liver disease. Which laboratory result(s) would the nurse expect? Select all that apply.

Choice A reason: An increased heart rate is not an expected therapeutic response to adenosine. Adenosine is used to slow the heart rate by temporarily blocking the electrical conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. This action is crucial in managing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), as it can help restore a normal heart rhythm. An increased heart rate would suggest that the medication is not working as intended, and the underlying tachycardia may persist or worsen.

Choice B reason: A short period of asystole is the correct and expected therapeutic response when administering adenosine. Adenosine works by briefly stopping the heart's electrical activity, leading to a brief asystole (lack of heartbeat). This allows the heart's natural pacemaker to reset and potentially restore a normal rhythm. Although this can be alarming, it is a known and anticipated effect of the drug, and it typically resolves quickly as the heart resumes normal activity.

Choice C reason: Hypertension is not an expected response to adenosine. Adenosine generally causes vasodilation, which can lower blood pressure. The primary focus of adenosine in the context of SVT is on its cardiac effects rather than influencing blood pressure significantly. If hypertension occurs, it may be unrelated to the administration of adenosine and could indicate another underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Choice D reason: Decreased intraocular pressure is not a relevant or expected response to adenosine administration in the context of managing SVT. Adenosine's primary effect is on the heart's electrical conduction system, and it does not significantly impact intraocular pressure. The focus should remain on observing the cardiac responses to ensure the medication is effectively managing the SVT.

Choice A reason: Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen from binding and leading to hypoxia. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. However, a hoarse voice and a brassy cough are not typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These symptoms are more indicative of an inhalation injury due to direct thermal or chemical damage to the airway.

Choice B reason: Pulmonary edema refers to fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can cause difficulty breathing, a feeling of suffocating or drowning, and a cough that produces frothy sputum. Although pulmonary edema can occur after significant burn injuries due to fluid resuscitation or other complications, the specific symptoms of a hoarse voice and brassy cough are more suggestive of an inhalation injury than pulmonary edema.

Choice C reason: An inhalation injury is

The correct answer. This type of injury occurs when a patient inhales smoke, hot gases, or toxic chemicals during a fire. Symptoms can include a hoarse voice, brassy cough, stridor, and respiratory distress. The hoarseness and brassy cough are classic signs of damage to the upper airway due to the inhalation of hot gases or smoke, leading to swelling and irritation of the airway tissues.

Choice D reason: Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, and chest pain. While pneumonia can develop as a secondary complication in burn patients, the immediate symptoms of a hoarse voice and brassy cough are more indicative of an inhalation injury rather than bacterial pneumonia.