A 68-year-old patient is admitted to the medical unit with w…
A 68-year-old patient is admitted to the medical unit with weakness and mild confusion, as demonstrated as alert and oriented x 3 with mild impairment on the date. The breathing pattern is shallow but not dyspneic. The patient is noted to have a history of heart failure with a recent increase in oral furosemide dosage. Vital signs: BP 98/60 mm Hg, HR 112/min, RR 12/min Laboratory results: ABG: pH 7.52, PaO2 81 mm Hg; PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 34 mEq/L Reference Ranges: pH: 7.35 – 7.45 PaO2: 80-100 mm Hg PaCO2: 35-45 mm Hg HCO3: 22-26 Serum potassium: 3.1 mEq/L (normal 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L) Which nursing action is the priority?
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