Author Question: A patient being prepared for surgery has been diagnosed with dehydration. Which laboratory values ... (Read 53 times)

colton · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient being prepared for surgery has been diagnosed with dehydration. Which laboratory values support the diagnosis for this patient?

1. hemoglobin and hematocrit
2. glucose
3. white blood cell count
4. platelet count

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient who has returned to the care area after surgery. What should the nurse do to ensure the patient receives appropriate care?

1. Check the physician's orders to see if preoperative orders have been reordered.
2. Schedule the patient for vital signs assessments every four hours.
3. Orient the patient to person, place, and time.
4. Assess the patient's mental status.

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

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

An increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels would indicate dehydration. An alteration in glucose level could indicate impaired glucose metabolism or inadequate glucose level. An alteration in white blood cell count could indicate an infection or immune deficiencies. An alteration in platelet count could indicate a malignancy or clotting deficiency disorder.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

The nurse needs to check the patient's medical record to ensure that all orders written before surgery have been reordered after surgery, since the patient's condition has changed. Even though vital signs should be assessed according to hospital policy, the frequency of a postoperative patient's vital signs assessment will be more frequent than every four hours. Orienting the patient to person, place, and time, and assessing the patient's mental status are activities of the PACU nurse.