A nurse receives a report from the microbiology department that a ...

[kfurse]

A nurse receives a report from the microbiology department that a client's blood culture is positive for gram-negative rods. The client is not on antibiotics. Which of these steps should the nurse take FIRST?
 
  a. Document the result in the appropriate area of the chart.
  b. Inform the client that the cause of illness has been identified.
  c. Notify the health care provider, and document the results and the time the health care provider was notified.
  d. Place the laboratory report on the client's chart as soon as possible.

Question 2

The client is experiencing an increase in carbonic acid due to the failure of the lungs to adequately eliminate carbon dioxide, which results in:
 
  a. metabolic acidosis c. respiratory acidosis
  b. metabolic alkalosis d. respiratory alkalosis

[Jody Vaughn]

Answer to Question 1

C
The decision the nurse makes should be done in the best interest of the client based on reliable information and made using critical thinking. In this scenario, the most appropriate actions by the nurse would be to notify the health care provider and document the results and the time the health care provider was notified.

Answer to Question 2

C
Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation or respiratory depression; if this situation occurs suddenly, the condition is life-threatening. Continual depression of the respiratory rate results in chronic respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, the blood pH level is below 7.35, the partial carbon dioxide level is greater than 45 mmHg, and there is an excess of carbonic acid.

[kfurse]

Excellent

[bblaney]

Gracias!