Author Question: An older adult patient who has colorectal cancer is receiving IV fluids at 175 mL/hour in ... (Read 139 times)

chads108 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

An older adult patient who has colorectal cancer is receiving IV fluids at 175 mL/hour in conjunction with the prescribed chemotherapy. Which finding by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?

a. Patient complains of severe fatigue.
b. Patient needs to void every hour during the day.
c. Patient takes only 50 of meals and refuses snacks.
d. Patient has audible crackles to the midline posterior chest.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with left-sided lung cancer. Which finding would be most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?

a. Hematocrit 32
b. Pain with deep inspiration
c. Serum sodium 126 mEq/L
d. Decreased breath sounds on left side

cupcake16 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Rapid fluid infusions may cause heart failure, especially in older patients. The other findings are common in patients who have cancer and/or are receiving chemotherapy.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (and the resulting hyponatremia) is an oncologic metabolic emergency and will require rapid treatment in order to prevent complications such as seizures and coma. The other findings also require intervention, but are common in patients with lung cancer and not immediately life threatening.