jaymay588

Other information I forgot to include was: VS – T 98.9, apical pulse – 110 irregular and thready, BP 110/60, RR – 25. He states that he has no dyspnea, but does sleep with 3 pillows at night. Medications: Theodur 450 mg bid po; Lasix 40 mg bid, po; Proventil 4 puffs q4h; Lanoxin 0.25 mg qd, po; Surfak 240 mg qd po. Diuril 25 mg qd po: Vasotec 5 mg bid po. Now that I've looked more deeply into the pathophysiology more I think it is hypokalemia. Atrial fibrillation means there's an arrhythmia. This can be caused by CHF and COPD. The a. fib increases your risk for stroke greatly so I have a feeling that is what caused the stroke. It also can be causing the crackles in the lungs and the irregular, thready pulse and tachycardia. Signs and symptoms for hypokalemia that the patient is positive for include weight loss, hemiparesis (weakness), nausea, diarrhea (loose stools). The only thing I'm not certain about is why he is flushed. Am I beginning to think along the right lines? Is it possible that all these problems have lead to the patient having renal dysfunction due to the kidney's being overworked? It would explain why not enough potassium is being excreted.

I'm working on a case study and I'm having trouble answering one of the questions. The patient has COPD, diastolic (right side) CHF and is in the hospital due to a possible CVA. 2 weeks ago the patient had an ECG performed and atrial fibrillation with controlled ventricular response was recorded. He has not have a digoxin test for 2 months. He has crackles in both bases of the lungs. The patient is also flushed, has loose stools and is nauseated. The patient is 185 lbs and 75 inches tall, however, he has lost 10 lbs over the last few weeks. He has a medport for chemo due to colon cancer that currently isn't being used. - What electrolyte imbalance would potentially be a problem for this patient? Explain what this electrolyte does, how this is related to his current problem. I have managed to answer almost all the other questions but this one. I'm thinking it could be something to do with either hyponatremia, hypocalcemia or hypo or hyperkalemia but I'm really not sure. All three can affect the heart and cause dysrhythmias. Any advice and guidance would be much appreciated. TIA

I'm working on a case study based on a patient with osteoporosis. I have all the questions answered except one. I've looked in 3 of my text books and used the internet to search but I have yet to find an answer. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. I have found causes but nothing that says what the primary one is. The question is: The primary cause of limited range of motion in a joint afflicted with osteoarthritis is/are: a.Bone spurs b.Loss of proprioceptive reflexes c.Formation of new bone d.Degeneration of articular cartilage e.Cysts that form in subchondral bone If anyone could explain what is the primary cause I'd appreciate it. I think it's degeneration of articular cartilage but considering this is a big part of my grade I want to be POSITIVE.

A friend of mine in clinicals this week was assigned a patient who is about to undergo an ileostomy reversal (closure or takedown). That is the only reason the patient is in the hospital. We both are trying to brainstorm as to what to put for a medical diagnosis, the pathophysiology and the sign and symptoms for the medical diagnosis but unfortunately we are both struggling with it. The nursing diagnosis, goals and interventions are pretty standard based on lab work and post-operative care but can you put a ileostomy reversal as a medical diagnosis? It's not in either volumes of our med-surg books. If you could help I'd really appreciate it. Even if it's just hints or tips to lead us in the right direction. Thanks so much for your help!