Question 1
A patient with a myocardial infarction is withdrawing from alcohol. The patient is nauseated and having tremors despite receiving medications for withdrawal. The nurse suspects the patient is experiencing which electrolyte imbalance?
◦ Serum phosphate 2.7 mEq/dL
◦ Total calcium 9.0 mg/dL
◦ Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/dL
◦ Serum magnesium 2.5 mEq/dL
Question 2
An adolescent patient is admitted after ingesting 20 500-mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets as a suicide attempt. The patient is currently nauseated, vomiting, and diaphoretic with a BP of 96/52. What should be the priority in this patient's care?
◦ Provide the first oral dose of N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) in orange juice.
◦ Observe for possible urticaria and bronchospasms.
◦ Have a serum acetaminophen level drawn.
◦ Start an intravenous access line for rehydration.