A patient is recovering from a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse identifies with symptoms indicating damage to the parathyroid gland. (Source: Kp)

Your 58 y/o male patient comes in with dehydration and confusion. He had not been eating well at home and was brought in by his son because of his altered mental status. When taking vital signs, you notice that he has carpal spasms when inflating the blood pressure cuff. What do you suspect is going on with the patient?

In examining a peripheral IV site, the nurse observes a red streak along the length of the vein and the vein feels hard and cord-like. What nursing interventions would the nurse perform? Select all that apply.

The patient is 56 years old, height 72 inches (180 cm), and weight 260 pounds (118 kg). Current BP is 152/84. The patient states no previous medical conditions, denies any form of tobacco use, and admits to drinking “a six-pack of beer” most nights. Drinks 1-2 cups of coffee per day, and denies use of energy drinks. Meals are typically obtained from local fast food or other restaurants. Elevated BP was initially noted six months ago at a routine office visit. The patient plans to try lowering the BP without medications.  As the patient’s nurse, select 4 non-pharmacologic interventions to lower BP to educate the patient. (Source: Kp)

A 68-year-old male who has a 5-year history of systolic heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy with a current ejection fraction (EF) of only 15%. He presents to the emergency department (ED) for shortness of breath (SOB) for the past 3 days. His shortness of breath has progressed from SOB with activity to becoming SOB at rest. The last two nights, he had to sleep in his recliner chair to rest comfortably with his head partially elevated. He can speak only a partial sentence and then tries to take a breath when talking. He has noted increased swelling in his lower legs and has gained 6 pounds in the last 3 days. He is being transferred from the ED to the cardiac step-down, where you are assigned to care for him. The health care provider prescribed:  1. Strict I & O 2. Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV 3. Titrate oxygen to keep oxygen saturation above 92% Rank in order your implementations, what would you do first, second, and third?

The nurse has five patients. Which patient will the nurse assess first?

A patient who is newly diagnosed with diabetes received 6 units of lispro at lunchtime. An hour later, he complains of shakiness. What is the nurse’s priority action?

A patient is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The patient and family ask the nurse what type 1 diabetes is.  What explanation does the nurse give to them?

Which patient is most at risk of developing left-sided heart failure?

The nurse is about to do morning rounds after receiving the shift reports. Which of the following patients should the nurse assess first due to their greatest risk for dehydration?