Answer to Question 1
ANS: B
The patient's respiratory alkalosis is caused by the increased respiratory rate associated with pain and anxiety. The nurse's first action should be to medicate the patient for pain. Although the nasogastric suction may contribute to the alkalosis, it is not appropriate to discontinue the tube when the patient needs gastric suction. The health care provider may be notified about the ABGs but is likely to instruct the nurse to medicate for pain. The patient will not be able to take slow, deep breaths when experiencing pain.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: A
The health care provider should be notified immediately. The patient has a history and manifestations consistent with hypermagnesemia. The nurse should check the chart for a recent serum magnesium level and make sure that blood is sent to the laboratory for immediate electrolyte and chemistry determinations. Dialysis should correct the high magnesium levels. The patient needs teaching about the risks of taking magnesium-containing antacids. Monitoring of potassium levels also is important for patients with renal failure, but the patient's current symptoms are not consistent with hyperkalemia.
Patient receiving ultrasound treatment to the left elbow.
Inflammation. Inflammation is characterized by the presence of swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Sw
Walkers help the patient ambulate safely.
A pacemaker in a patient’s chest.
A partnership between the patient and the health care provider.
Pneumonia patient’s chest x-ray. Note the irregular areas of density.