Respiratory
A patient with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance presents with new-onset dyspnea, tachycardia, and pleuritic chest pain. The nurse anticipates immediate evaluation for this life-threatening complication.
What is pulmonary embolism (PE)
A patient with a flail chest injury develops respiratory distress and ABG results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24. This acid-base imbalance is present.
What is respiratory acidosis
A patient with chest pain and diaphoresis has a troponin level of 2.5 ng/mL. The nurse recognizes this as indicative of this condition.
What is myocardial infarction (MI)
A patient with metabolic syndrome and hypertension is started on a new antihypertensive and suddenly develops facial swelling and difficulty breathing. This class of medication is most likely responsible
What are ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, causing angioedema)
A patient in HHS has a blood glucose of 1,000 mg/dL but a normal pH and no ketones. The nurse recognizes this key difference between HHS and DKA.
What is the absence of ketoacidosis in HHS
A critically ill patient with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and uncontrolled diabetes is at high risk for this ICU-acquired infection associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation.
What is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
A patient with a hemothorax has an Hgb of 7.5 g/dL after chest tube placement. The nurse anticipates this intervention.
What is a blood transfusion
A patient with heart failure has a BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) of 1,200 pg/mL. The nurse expects this clinical finding.
What is pulmonary edema or dyspnea due to fluid overload
A patient with metabolic syndrome and diabetes is experiencing recurrent hypoglycemia despite tube feedings. This medication class, often prescribed for diabetes, may need to be discontinued.
What are sulfonylureas (glyburide, glipizide, etc)
A patient in DKA has a serum osmolality of 320 mOsm/kg and altered mental status. The nurse expects this clinical finding.
What is severe dehydration
This life-threatening chest injury occurs when 3 or more adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, leading to paradoxical chest movement.
What is flail chest
A patient with multiple rib fractures has an ABG of pH 7.31, PaCO2 48, HCO3 24. The nurse recognizes this as early respiratory failure due to this breathing pattern.
What is hypoventilation
A patient with chest pain has an ECG showing ST elevation and a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. The nurse prepares to administer this emergency medication.
WHat is IV calcium gluconate
A patient with metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia is started on a statin. The nurse educates the patient to report this serious adverse effect that may indicate rhabdomyolysis.
What is muscle pain or weakness
A patient in thyroid storm has a T3 of 400 ng/dL and a TSH of 0.01 mIU/L. The nurse expects the provider to order this medication(s) to block thyroid hormone synthesis.
What is propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole
A patient with a flail chest injury following a motor vehicle accident develops hypotension, tracheal deviation, and absent breath sounds on one side. The nurse suspects this emergency complication.
What is a tension pneumothorax
A patient with a STEMI is receiving thrombolytics. The nurse knows to monitor this lab test to assess for bleeding risk.
What is activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or INR
A patient with atrial fibrillation on warfarin has an INR of 5.2. The nurse anticipates administering this medication to reverse the anticoagulation effect.
What is vitamin K
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has chronic kidney failure with an AV fistula for hemodialysis and a new prescription for epoetin alfa. What therapeutic effects of epoetin alfa should the nurse include in the teaching?
Promotes RBC production
A patient with HHS has a glucose level of 1,200 mg/dL but no significant ketosis. The nurse knows the primary treatment for this condition is this intervention.
What is IV fluid resuscitation
This severe lung condition is characterized by refractory hypoxemia, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
What is ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
A patient with suspected tuberculosis requires this gold-standard diagnostic test to confirm active infection.
What is a sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) culture
A patient with a history of heart failure is found to have a digoxin level of 2.3 ng/mL. The nurse expects to see this clinical sign.
What is nausea, bradycardia, or vision changes (digoxin toxicity)
A nurse is caring for a client with a new prescription for enalapril. The nurse should monitor the client for this adverse effect of the medication first.
hypotension
A patient with type 1 diabetes becomes unresponsive, diaphoretic, and has a glucose of 42 mg/dL. The nurse immediately administers this treatment.
What is IV dextrose or IM glucagon