A nurse is assessing a client with peripheral artery disease ...

[theo]

A nurse is assessing a client with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The client states walking five blocks is possible without pain. What question asked next by the nurse will give the best information?
 
  a. Could you walk further than that a few months ago?
  b. Do you walk mostly uphill, downhill, or on flat surfaces?
  c. Have you ever considered swimming instead of walking?
  d. How much pain medication do you take each day?

Question 2

The nurse is caring for four hypertensive clients. Which drug-laboratory value combination should the nurse report immediately to the health care provider?
 
  a. Furosemide (Lasix)/potassium: 2.1 mEq/L
  b. Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)/potassium: 4.2 mEq/L
  c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)/potassium: 5.1 mEq/L
  d. Torsemide (Demadex)/sodium: 142 mEq/L

[sultana.d]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
As PAD progresses, it takes less oxygen demand to cause pain. Needing to cut down on activity to be pain free indicates the client's disease is worsening. The other questions are useful, but not as important.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Lasix is a loop diuretic and can cause hypokalemia. A potassium level of 2.1 mEq/L is quite low and should be reported immediately. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L is on the high side, but it is not as critical as the low potassium with furosemide. The other two laboratory values are normal.