A 70-year-old male receiving high-dose IV furosemide for heart failure complains of ringing in his ears and dizziness. His current labs show normal potassium and sodium levels. What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?
Increase the infusion rate and check the patient's sodium levels again in 2 hours
Administer potassium supplements and continue the infusion
Reassure the patient that the symptoms are temporary and continue monitoring
Stop the furosemide infusion and notify the provider
The Correct Answer is D
A. Increasing the infusion rate may exacerbate the patient's symptoms and does not address the potential toxicity from the furosemide.
B. Normal potassium levels indicate that potassium supplementation is unnecessary and does not address the dizziness and ringing in the ears, which could suggest ototoxicity from furosemide.
C. While reassurance can help, the patient's symptoms indicate a potential adverse reaction to the medication that should not be ignored.
D. Stopping the furosemide infusion and notifying the provider is the most appropriate action due to the risk of ototoxicity and the need for further evaluation of the patient's symptoms.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obstructive shock occurs when blood flow is physically obstructed, such as in cases of pulmonary embolism or cardiac tamponade, which is not indicated here as the cause is blood loss.
B. Septic shock is related to infection and systemic inflammatory response, not directly caused by blood loss.
C. Hypovolemic shock is caused by a significant loss of blood volume, leading to decreased blood pressure, which directly relates to the client losing 800 mL of blood during surgery. This condition results in inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues.
D. Neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injuries leading to vasodilation and bradycardia, which is not applicable to this scenario.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Mottled skin is more indicative of the progressive or refractory stages of shock, where perfusion to the skin is severely compromised.
B. A heart rate of 160/min indicates tachycardia, which is common in shock but is not the most characteristic finding of the compensatory stage.
C. During the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to maintain blood pressure and perfusion, and a blood pressure of 115/68 mmHg suggests that compensatory mechanisms are still functioning adequately.
D. Hypokalemia is not a typical finding in the compensatory stage; rather, the body may exhibit signs of hyperkalemia due to tissue breakdown and acidosis.