[Case Study 1, Screen 3: 1300 nurses' notes, vital signs, and 1230 laboratory results.] For each finding, indicate whether it shows improvement or requires follow-up. Each row has one answer. Grid columns: Indicates improvement | Requires follow-up.
CLIENT
63-year-old woman. Weight 70 kg.
History: type 2 diabetes (takes metformin), hypertension (takes lisinopril).
Lives with spouse; independent in all activities; baseline fully oriented.
Home blood pressure readings usually about 132/78 mm Hg.
NURSES' NOTES - 0800
Spouse reports the client has been "sleepy and confused" since last night.
Client reports burning on urination for 3 days and has been eating and
drinking very little for 2 days. Oriented to person only. Skin warm and
flushed; mucous membranes dry. Reports right flank pain, 5/10. Lungs clear
bilaterally. Capillary refill 3 seconds. Last voided a small amount of dark
urine early this morning.
VITAL SIGNS - 0800
Temperature 39.0°C (102.2°F)
Heart rate 116/min
Respiratory rate 24/min
Blood pressure 88/50 mm Hg (MAP 63 mm Hg)
SpO2 95% on room air
LABORATORY RESULTS - 0815 Result Reference range
WBC 18,600/mm³ 5,000-10,000/mm³
Bands 14% 0-5%
Lactate 4.1 mmol/L 0.5-2.0 mmol/L
Creatinine 1.9 mg/dL 0.5-1.1 mg/dL
(baseline 1 month ago: 0.9 mg/dL)
BUN 40 mg/dL 7-20 mg/dL
Glucose (random) 238 mg/dL 70-140 mg/dL
Sodium 137 mEq/L 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium 4.6 mEq/L 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Platelets 172,000/mm³ 150,000-400,000/mm³
Urinalysis: cloudy; nitrite positive; leukocyte esterase positive;
WBC more than 50/hpf
NURSES' NOTES - 1000
Blood cultures x2 drawn at 0820. Piperacillin-tazobactam IV started at 0835.
Lactated Ringer's solution 2,100 mL IV completed at 0955. Client is lethargic
but arousable. Extremities cool. Indwelling urinary catheter inserted at 0830;
25 mL of urine since insertion.
VITAL SIGNS - 1000
Temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F)
Heart rate 124/min
Respiratory rate 26/min
Blood pressure 80/44 mm Hg (MAP 56 mm Hg)
SpO2 94% on room air
PROVIDER PRESCRIPTIONS - 1000
- Norepinephrine continuous IV infusion; titrate to maintain MAP at or
above 65 mm Hg.
- Central venous catheter insertion when the provider is available
(estimated 1 to 2 hours).
IV ACCESS
- 18-gauge peripheral IV, right upper forearm (proximal, below the elbow
crease): patent, no redness or swelling.
- 20-gauge peripheral IV, dorsum of left hand: patent.
NURSES' NOTES - 1300
Norepinephrine infusing through the right forearm peripheral IV; central
venous catheter insertion delayed because the provider is attending an
emergency. Client is awake and oriented to person, place, and time.
Right forearm IV site: skin around the site is pale, cool, and swollen.
Urine output 45 mL/h for each of the past 2 hours.
VITAL SIGNS - 1300
Temperature 37.9°C (100.2°F)
Heart rate 102/min
Respiratory rate 20/min
Blood pressure 102/56 mm Hg (MAP 71 mm Hg)
SpO2 96% on room air
LABORATORY RESULTS - 1230 Result Reference range
Lactate 1.6 mmol/L 0.5-2.0 mmol/L
Platelets 96,000/mm³ 150,000-400,000/mm³
Indicates improvement | Requires follow-up
- AOriented to person, place, and time
- BMean arterial pressure 71 mm Hg
- CSkin around the right forearm IV site is pale, cool, and swollen
- DLactate 1.6 mmol/L
- EPlatelet count 96,000/mm³
- FUrine output 45 mL/h for each of the past 2 hours
Show answer and explanations
Answer
A → Indicates improvement; B → Indicates improvement; C → Requires follow-up; D → Indicates improvement; E → Requires follow-up; F → Indicates improvement
A: Return of orientation indicates improved neurologic function. B: The MAP has improved above the stated treatment target. C: Pale cool swelling suggests extravasation; stop that site and maintain prescribed support via suitable alternate access while activating treatment. D: Lactate has decreased toward the supplied normal range. E: The platelet decline indicates new coagulation dysfunction requiring follow-up. F: Urine output has improved from the earlier low-output state.
A
Return of orientation indicates improved neurologic function.
B
The MAP has improved above the stated treatment target.
C
Pale cool swelling suggests extravasation; stop that site and maintain prescribed support via suitable alternate access while activating treatment.
D
Lactate has decreased toward the supplied normal range.
E
The platelet decline indicates new coagulation dysfunction requiring follow-up.
F
Urine output has improved from the earlier low-output state.
