Author Question: Pulmonary embolism, a serious complication of HIT, is manifested by which of the following clinical ... (Read 40 times)

mwit1967 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Pulmonary embolism, a serious complication of HIT, is manifested by which of the following clinical signs?

a. Blanching of fingers and toes and loss of peripheral pulses
b. Chest pain, pallor, and confusion
c. Headache, impaired speech, and loss of motor function
d. Dyspnea, pleuritic pain, and rales

Question 2

When a patient in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has insulin infusing intravenously, the nurse expects a drop in the serum levels of

a. sodium and potassium.
b. potassium and phosphate.
c. bicarbonate and calcium.
d. sodium and phosphate.

juiceman1987 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
The presence of blanching and the loss of peripheral pulses, sensation, or motor function in a limb indicate peripheral vascular thrombi. Neurologic signs and symptoms such as confusion, headache, and impaired speech can signal the onset of cerebral artery occlusion and stroke. Acute myocardial infarction may be heralded by dyspnea, chest pain, pallor, and alterations in blood pressure. Thrombi in the pulmonary vasculature may be evidenced by pleuritic pain, rales, and dyspnea.

Answer to Question 2

B
Frequent verification of the serum potassium concentration is required for patients with DKA receiving fluid resuscitation and insulin therapy. The serum phosphate level is sometimes low (hypophosphatemia) in DKA. Insulin treatment may make this more obvious as phosphate is returned to the interior of the cell. If the serum phosphate level is less than 1 mg/dL, phosphate replacement is recommended.