An 85-year-old male who was hospitalized for a fractured hip develops difficulty breathing. The client has been receiving IV therapy for three days.
When the nurse assesses the client, moist respirations are ausculated, a full bounding pulse and pedal edema are palpated and distended neck veins are noted. Based on the assessment, the nurse believes the most probable cause for the client's symptoms is:
a. fluid overload. c. fat embolus.
b. prolonged bed rest. d. inadequate diet.
Question 2
After the client begins taking the new medications, she develops periods of dizziness and confusion. The client's daughter calls to ask the nurse what she should do. The nurse's best response is:
a. Don't worry. Confusion and dizziness are side effects of the new medications. Keep giving them. Your mother should get over the side effects soon.
b. Keep your mother in bed for a while after giving the medications so she doesn't fall and hurt herself.
c. Give the medications with food. The chance of side effects decreases when administered on a full stomach.
d. Call the health care provider as soon as possible to report these symptoms.