The nurse is providing care for four patients: Patient A, diagnosed with emphysema and has an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air; Patient B, who is postoperative with a hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L); Patient C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L); and Patient D, who is scheduled for an appendectomy and has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm² (14 x 10°/L). What action should the nurse take next?

Choice A rationale

Decreased range of motion is generally associated with a rotator cuff injury. This is because the rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. When these muscles or tendons are injured, it can limit the shoulder’s range of motion.

Choice B rationale

Pain with movement can be a symptom of both a rotator cuff injury and a humeral fracture. Both conditions involve structures that are integral to the movement of the arm, and damage to these structures can cause pain when they are moved or put under strain.

Choice C rationale

Reduced strength in the left upper extremity is more commonly associated with a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is responsible for the stability of the shoulder joint and enables the arm to lift and rotate. An injury to the rotator cuff can therefore lead to a reduction in the strength of the arm.

Choice D rationale

Reduced pulse distal to the injury is more commonly associated with a humeral fracture. This is because a fracture to the humerus could potentially damage the blood vessels running along the bone, leading to a reduced pulse further down the arm.

Choice E rationale

Coolness of the skin is more commonly associated with a humeral fracture. This could be due to damage to the blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow and therefore a lower skin temperature.

Based on the questionand the known effects of furosemide, here’s how each assessment finding can be categorized:

• Potassium 3.1 mEq/L: This is anon-therapeutic side effect.Furosemide is a diuretic that increases the excretion of water, sodium, and potassium from the body.This can lead to hypokalemia, or low potassium levels.
• Prothrombin time/INR 2.2: This is likely anunrelated finding.Furosemide does not typically affect prothrombin time or INR.However, the patient is also taking warfarin, which is an anticoagulant known to increase INR.
• Urine output: 600 mL: This is atherapeutic result.Furosemide works by increasing the amount of urine the body makes, which helps reduce swelling and symptoms of fluid retention.