Your patient has a K+ of 2.7.  The physician orders the pati…

Your patient has a K+ of 2.7.  The physician orders the patient to get 20 mEq K+ in 100 ml NS IV supplement (K-Rider), and then follow that with PO doses.  As a nurse you know that the fastest rate you can infuse this K+ via a peripheral IV is at ___________________. 

Use This Scenario for the next Few Questions. Put your Criti…

Use This Scenario for the next Few Questions. Put your Critical Thinking Hat on – not everything may be as it appears! You receive your 68 year-old patient on your unit and when you assess her you realize she appears very malnourished, as well as dehydrated. She lives alone and was found on the kitchen floor from an apparent fall, and had been there for approximately 2-3 days. She had a hematoma on the right side of her head, and she had outward rotation of her right leg. She has a history of Hypertension (on Lopressor), mild arthritis, has occasional Bronchitis especially during Spring, and had a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy 3 years ago.  Her Initial V/S in the ER are:  T – 100.1;  B/P  116/76;  HR – 86; R – 22; O2 Sat – 95% on room air.  Question 4 of Scenario: The orthopedic surgeon comes in and says she has a fractured right hip. What would you anticipate that he would order to help control the muscle spasms and provide immobilization prior to her upcoming surgery? 

Use this new Information regarding the patient from prior Sc…

Use this new Information regarding the patient from prior Scenario for the next Few Questions. Put your Critical Thinking Hat on – not everything may be as it appears! It is now 2 days after the Right Hip Repair for the same 68 year-old female patient you admitted after her fall; you are back to work, not having seen the patient since prior to her surgery.  She seems to be recovering fairly well, but her mobility is not what the surgeon or P.T. are expecting at this time.  On your initial assessment during report she seemed a little tachypneic. These are this AM’s V/S from the CNA at 8 am:  T 101.3;  B/P 128/82;  P = 94;  R  26;  SaO2  92% on room air These are some of the labs you receive – which one are you the most concerned with at this time?