A patient rescued from a small house fire is brought to the emergency department. There is no burn injury to the skin, however laboratory results show a CO level of 22%. Which intervention would the nurse expect to implement?
1. Administer high-flow nebulizer treatment.
2. Infuse a fluid bolus of lactated Ringer's solution.
3. Begin a sodium bicarbonate drip.
4. Give 100% oxygen by mask.
4
Rationale 1: This treatment will only open airways but not displace the carbon monoxide.
Rationale 2: This treatment would be used for fluid resuscitation, not gas exchange treatment.
Rationale 3: A bicarbonate drip is only used for severe metabolic acidosis that is not responsive to other treatment.
Rationale 4: Carbon monoxide has a stronger affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen does so it displaces oxygen as it binds with the hemoglobin. This impairs oxygen transport and tissue perfusion. The treatment is high-flow 100% oxygen.
You might also like to view...
A patient's blood gases show a pH of 7.53 and bicarbonate level of 36 mEq/L. Which acid-base disorder is this patient demonstrating?
A. Metabolic alkalosis B. Metabolic acidosis C. Respiratory alkalosis D. Respiratory acidosis
The nurse is assisting with a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Following specimen placement on the slide, what should the nurse do first with the slide?
a. Spray it with a fixative. b. Label and wrap it. c. Wash it with antiseptic. d. Place it in a sterile container.
The nurse is caring for a 67-year-old couple who report wanting to remain sexually active, and want information on changes to expect in the reproductive system. Reproductive system changes the nurse should discuss with this couple include:
1. Men can father children well into their 80s 2. The penis may take less time to become erect 3. Menopause may cause flushing 4. Vaginal secretions decrease
The nurse is noting an order for a medication to be given TID. Which times will the nurse plan to administer the medication to the patient?
a. 9 A.M., 1 P.M., 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. b. 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. c. 9 A.M., 1 P.M. and 5 P.M. d. Nightly before the patient goes to sleep