What orders would you question HELP!
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Here's the situation we were given:
82 year-old male with a history of renal insufficiency and CHF taking the following PO medication: Lasix 60 mg BID, K-dur 20mgEq Bid, Digoxin 0.125 mg QD, and Niforex (renal multivitamin) QD. He is transferred to the Medical unit with the admission diagnosis of nonketotic hyperosmolar dehydration. He has been unable to eat due to a lack of appetite and has been taking only Ensure. Medical management of this patient includes Glucose monitoring QD, NS @ 125/hr IV, Insulin by Sliding Scale, and regular Diet. Do not assume information that is not provided.
What orders would you question?
Well, the glucose monitoring at QD isn't going to cut it!
I also thought you would question the insulin by sliding scale because he was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperosmalar dehydration. Don't these patients need IV insulin???
I'm clueless as far as the IV fluids. I can't find anything anywhere that helps me answer if this amount is correct. Most things that I have read suggest:
Administer 1-2 L of isotonic saline in the first 2 hours. A higher initial volume may be necessary in patients with severe volume depletion. Slower initial rates may be appropriate in patients with significant cardiac or renal disease or in those who are not urinating. Caution should be taken to not correct hypernatremia too quickly, as this could lead to cerebral edema.
After the initial bolus, some clinicians recommend changing to half-normal saline, while others continue with isotonic saline. Either fluid likely will replenish intravascular volume and correct hyperosmolarity; a good standard is to switch to half-normal saline once blood pressure and urine output are adequate.
Once serum glucose drops to 250 mg/dL, the patient must receive dextrose in the intravenous fluid.
HELP!