AUBREY ROSE A.

VIDON

BSN 3Y1 – 2

COURSE TASK #10

Applying Your Knowledge: Consider the various scenarios and answer the questions. (20 points each
scenario)

George is a 75 year-old patient with urosepsis being treated in the Intensive care unit (ICU). The nurse
assesses George and finds that he has blood in his urine and stool, and is oozing blood from his central
line site and his gums.

1. What does the nurse suspect maybe occurring with George?

Urosepsis is sepsis caused by an infection of the urinary tract (UTI).

2. What medications should the nurse avoid administering to George?

The nurse should avoid administering any kind of rectal drugs.

3. The nurse is monitoring George’s vital signs every 15 minutes. What other monitoring is
essential to include along with the vital signs?

Frequent blood glucose monitoring should be done to avoid hypoglycemia to George.

4. What medication does the nurse anticipate infusing?

The primary treatment for urosepsis is the use of antibiotics to get rid of the infection. The
treatment may also include supportive measures such as intravenous fluids, and oxygen therapy may be
used.

Fred, a 43 year-old construction worker, has a history of hypertension. He smokes two packs of
cigarettes a day, is nervous about the possibility of being unemployed, and has difficulty coping with
stress. His current concern is calf pain during minimal exercise, which decreases with rest.

1. What does the nurse is the hallmark symptom of peripheral arterial occlusion disease?

The hallmark of peripheral arterial disease is the symptom of claudication which is an intermittent
cramping pain in the leg that is induced by exercise and relieved by rest.

2. The patient is having ankle-brachial index (ABI) determined. The right posterior tibial reading is
75 mm Hg, and the brachial systolic pressure is 150mm Hg. What would the ABI be for this
patient?

The ABI for this patient is 0.5 ratios.

 3. The nurse is educating Fred about managing his condition. What methods can the nurse suggest
to increase arterial blood supply?

A planned program involving:

 Systemic lowering of the extremity below heart level

 Burger Allen exercise
 Graded extremity exercise

4. What is the best method for the nurse to assess Fred’s peripheral pulses to obtain consistent
results with other health care practitioners?
 Use light touch
 Avoid using only the index finger for palpation because this finger has the strongest arterial
pulsation of all fingers
 The thumb should not be used for the same reason

Georgia, a 30 year-old woman, is diagnosed as having secondary hypertension when serial blood
pressure recordings 170/100 mm Hg. Her hypertension is the result of renal dysfunction.

1. How will Georgia’s kidney help maintain her hypertensive state?

Release renin in response to decrease renal perfusion.

2. The nurse informs Georgia that she should see her ophthalmologist. Why is it important that
Georgia adhere to follow up with an ophthalmologist?

An eye examination with an ophthalmoscope is particularly important because retinal blood vessel
damage indicate some more damage elsewhere in the vascular system. The patient is questioned about
blurred vision, spots in front of eyes, and diminished visual acuity

3. Georgia is prescribed with Furosemide (Lasix) 20mg once every day. What does the nurse
understand about the action of Lasix?

It blocks reabsorption of sodium, chloride, and water in the kidneys.

4. What health education can the nurse suggest to Georgia to reduce complications and improve
disease outcomes?

Adhere to dietary regiments, become involved with a regular exercise program and take medication as
prescribed.