The postoperative client has a nasogastric tube in place for 5 days. On the fifth day, the client begins to exhibit confusion and lethargy. The nurse anticipates which of the following?

1. The confusion is related to the gastric suctioning removing electrolytes from the stomach.
2. The confusion is a delayed effect from anesthesia.
3. The confusion is most likely age related.
4. The confusion is related to the gastric suctioning and has decreased the client's fluid volume.


The confusion is related to the gastric suctioning removing electrolytes from the stomach.

Rationale: Gastric suctioning via nasogastric tube may impact a client's electrolyte balance by removing electrolytes via extracted gastric fluids. Confusion can occur as a result of hyponatremia. While confusion can occur as a result of anesthesia, it usually does not take 5 days to occur. Elderly clients are more susceptible to electrolyte imbalance, but electrolyte imbalance is not exclusive to the elderly client. Decreasing the client's fluid volume is not the cause of electrolyte disturbance, but can also cause acid−base problems.

Nursing

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Nursing

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Nursing

Different domains that could impact culture are

What will be an ideal response?

Nursing