Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who takes furosemide (Lasix) daily to treat congestive heart ... (Read 36 times)

jazziefee · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who takes furosemide (Lasix) daily to treat congestive heart failure. The nurse will watch for which electrolyte imbalance that may occur as a result of this therapy?

a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypernatremia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hyperphosphatemia

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who was brought to the ER after overdosing on narcotic pain medication. The patient was found unresponsive with no respirations.

Arterial blood gases were drawn shortly after the patient's arrival to the hospital. Which results will the nurse expect to see?
a.
pH 7.56, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, HCO3 32 mEq/L, PaO2 90 mm Hg
b.
pH 7.35, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, HCO3 26 mEq/L, PaO2 70 mm Hg
c.
pH 7.45, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, HCO3 28 mEq/L, PaO2 80 mm Hg
d.
pH 7.27, PaCO2 58 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L, PaO2 60 mm Hg

shoemake · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that causes loss of potassium through the urine. Patients taking Lasix are at risk for hypokalemia, so the nurse should check the patient's electrolyte values closely, particularly the serum potassium level.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient who overdosed on narcotic pain medication will be in respiratory acidosis as a result of respiratory suppression. Low pH of 7.27 and elevated PaCO2 are consistent with respiratory acidosis as insufficient carbon dioxide is removed from the blood. The low 60 mm Hg PaO2 is due to insufficient oxygen intake.