The patient with Addison disease is receiving IV fluids for rehydration. The nurse should carefully monitor the patient for which potential problem?
a. Hypotension
b. Hyperglycemia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hypernatremia
A
The patient with Addison disease is at risk for an addisonian crisis. During an addisonian crisis, decreased levels of cortisol result in decreased sensitivity of the blood vessels to sympathetic stimulation. It is the sympathetic stimulation that maintains vascular tone. Lack of vascular tone causes vasodilation, producing hypotension. Addisonian crisis requires immediate fluid replace-ment therapy in order to prevent irreversible shock. Intravenous hydrocortisone is given along with sodium, fluids, and dextrose until blood pressure becomes stable. The hydrocortisone is then tapered off slowly. Hyperkalemia must also be addressed with insulin, Kayexalate, and loop diuretics, and by monitoring arrhythmias and the patient's intake and output. Hypoglycemia is treated with IV glucose and with glucagon as needed; blood glucose is monitored every hour.
You might also like to view...
Which substance puts a person at the greatest risk for HIV and hepatitis B?
a. Alcohol b. Opiates c. Cocaine d. Marijuana
Which statement best demonstrates the primary benefit of intergenerational partnering and the activities that it creates?
a. These types of activities can help establish new relationships. b. Intergenerational activities can foster a sense of meaning and purpose. c. Such partnering can increase the self-esteem of the younger people. d. These activities can decrease social isola-tion in the older people.
What myth may interfere with the treatment of pain in infants and children?
a. Infants may have sleep difficulties after a painful event. b. Children and infants are more susceptible to respiratory depression from narcotics. c. Pain in children is multidimensional and subjective. d. A child's cognitive level does not influence the pain experience.
The nurse caring for a client with a hearing deficit should utilize which of the following interventions?
1. Use short phrases 2. Over-articulate words 3. Vary the volume of voice through sentences 4. Face the client during conversation