The patient has been running in a long-distance marathon on a very warm day. The patient complains of dizziness and nausea and is taken to the hospital where she becomes lethargic. The serum sodium level is 125 mEq/L. What will be the best plan of the nurse?
1. Prepare to encourage the patient to drink fluids.
2. Prepare to administer normal saline intravenous (IV).
3. Prepare to administer 0.45% NaCl.
4. Prepare to provide a diet high in NaCl.
2
Rationale 1: The patient requires intravenous (IV) fluids at this point, not oral fluids.
Rationale 2: Hyponatremia is a serum sodium level less the 135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia caused by sodium loss may be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids containing salt, such as normal saline.
Rationale 3: 0.45% NaCl is a hypotonic solution and will further lower the serum sodium.
Rationale 4: Feeding the patient is not indicated.
Global Rationale: Hyponatremia is a serum sodium level less the 135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia caused by sodium loss may be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids containing salt, such as normal saline. 0.45% NaCl is a hypotonic solution and will further lower the serum sodium. The patient requires intravenous (IV) fluids at this point, not oral fluids. The patient requires intravenous (IV) fluids at this point, not foods high in NaCl.
You might also like to view...
In glaucoma, miotic drugs such as carbachol are used to:
1. reduce intraocular pressure. 2. increase secretion in dry eyes. 3. remove redness from the eyes. 4. decrease aqueous humor inflow.
One hour after admission to the PACU, the postoperative client has become very restless. What is the nurse's best first action?
A. Ask the client if he or she is having pain. B. Check the client's oxygen saturation level. C. Document the finding as the only action. D. Explain to the client that he or she is in the "recovery room" after surgery.
The nurse is concerned with possible impaired peripheral perfusion after performing a patient's assessment. Which assessment datum about the patient's lower extremities supports the nurse's suspicion?
a. The ankle bones are prominent. b. The skin is warm and pink bilaterally. c. The legs ache when in a dependent posi-tion. d. The peripheral pulses are absent on both legs.
When providing secondary prevention activities for individuals experiencing psychological consequences of a disaster, which of the following would the nurse do as a generic approach?
A) Providing situational support for stress relief B) Conveying warmth and concern for the client C) Teaching about expected emotional reactions D) Reunifying family members who were separated