Which client will the nurse recognize as having the greatest risk for development of hypocalcemia?

Choice A reason: Analyzing care levels is important, but the nurse’s negligence lies in not addressing the critical magnesium level. Reporting to the practitioner is the appropriate action, making this incorrect, as it’s less specific than the failure to act on a critical lab result.

Choice B reason: Respecting patient wishes relates to DNR but doesn’t negate the need to report critical labs for non-resuscitative care. Failure to act is the issue, making this incorrect, as it misapplies the DNR to the nurse’s duty to address the magnesium level.

Choice C reason: Wrongful death assumes patient harm or death, which isn’t indicated here. Failure to act on the critical magnesium level is the negligence, making this incorrect, as it overstates the outcome compared to the nurse’s inaction on the lab result.

Choice D reason: Failure to take appropriate action, such as reporting a critical magnesium level of 1.1 mEq/L, is negligent, regardless of DNR status. This aligns with nursing standards, making it the correct action the nurse neglected, as critical labs require practitioner notification.

Choice A reason: Starting IV fluids is the first action to correct hypotension (72/48) and tachycardia (152) in burn shock, restoring perfusion. This aligns with burn resuscitation protocols, making it the correct action to address the client’s critical hypovolemia and absent pedal pulses immediately.

Choice B reason: Albumin is used later in burn management, not first, as crystalloids like saline restore volume. IV fluids address hypovolemia, making this incorrect, as it’s premature compared to the nurse’s priority of initiating fluid resuscitation in the burn-injured client.

Choice C reason: Checking pulses with Doppler assesses perfusion but delays fluid resuscitation needed for hypotension and shock. IV fluids are urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s secondary to the nurse’s first action of correcting hypovolemia in the burn client’s emergency care.

Choice D reason: Calculating the rule of nines guides fluid volume but is secondary to starting IV fluids for hypotension. Immediate resuscitation is critical, making this incorrect, as it delays the nurse’s priority of addressing the client’s shock state in the burn emergency.