The patient provides three positive responses to items on the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) query.
What interpretation should the nurse provide to the patient?

Choice A rationale
Monitoring leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine is not the most crucial for a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While these lab values can provide information about the patient’s immune function and thyroid function, they do not directly relate to the patient’s renal function.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus levels is crucial for a patient with ESRD. These electrolytes are typically excreted by the kidneys, and their levels can become imbalanced in patients with ESRD. Imbalances can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias and bone disease.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit is important for a patient with ESRD, as these patients often develop anemia due to decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys. However, these are not the only lab values that should be monitored in these patients.
Choice D rationale

Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature is important for all patients, but these are not specific to patients with ESRD. Patients with ESRD are at risk for electrolyte imbalances, which can affect cardiac function, making monitoring of serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus levels more crucial.

Choice A rationale
Determining the presence of ST-elevations or non-ST-elevations on the electrocardiogram is an important step in diagnosing a myocardial infarction. However, this is typically performed by a healthcare provider or a trained technician, not a nurse.
Choice B rationale
While creating a calm and quiet environment can be beneficial for a client experiencing chest pain, it is not the immediate intervention that should be performed. The client’s symptoms suggest a possible cardiac event, which requires immediate medical intervention.
Choice C rationale
Verifying that troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3-6 hours for a series of three is important for diagnosing myocardial infarction. However, this is not the immediate intervention that should be performed. The client’s symptoms suggest a possible cardiac event, which requires immediate medical intervention.
Choice D rationale
Applying oxygen via nasal cannula and titrating to keep oxygen saturation above 93% is the correct intervention. This action helps to increase the oxygen supply to the myocardium, potentially decreasing the extent of myocardial damage and relieving chest pain.