nursing interventions

Published

I am working on a clinical packet for med/surg. My patient had several lab tests performed and need to know nursing interventions concerning the lab results. I'm kinda confused on what I would need to do if the lab tests are normal for example:

BUN was 23.0 so for the nursing intervention I put encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids. Would that be right?

His glucose level is 70 which is within range so I'm confused as to what kind of intervention I am supposed to have with this. Would it be something like encourage patient to monitor his sugar intake?

I also have labs for creatinine, eGFR, sodium, potassium, chloride, hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC, calcium, PSA, platelet count, and WBC. Platelet count and WBC are both low, and chloride is high. The rest are within normal range. I'm so confused as to what I need to put here. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

report to md.

nurses are not there to interpret lab results.

even w/a slightly elevated bun, you cannot automatically assume dehydration.

it could be elevated for many reasons.

and, add'l fluids may be contraindicated w/this particular pt...

only an md would make these determinations.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

I agree:

1) monitor lab values

2) report abnormal values to MD.

Normal lab values show that appropriate care for which they were admitted for is occuring. I'm sure somehow that could be careplanned but without consulting my Mosby's I don't know what else to say.

report to md.

nurses are not there to interpret lab results.

even w/a slightly elevated bun, you cannot automatically assume dehydration.

it could be elevated for many reasons.

and, add'l fluids may be contraindicated w/this particular pt...

only an md would make these determinations.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

depending on how low the WBC's are I would consider suggesting neutropenic precautions or advise pt to avoid ill people, as for the low platelets I would monitor for and advise pt to avoid actions that could cause injury leading to bleeding.

And as the others suggested, continue to monitor labs and inform MD of abnormal labs and/or changes in labs

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion