Reference no: EM133945715
Fluid Balance Case Study:
You are the nursing student assigned to work with a RN in the Emergency Department. It is a very busy day and it seems as if every patient, regardless of the chief complaint, has an issue with fluid, electrolyte, and/or acid-base balance. The patient you are assigned is a 37 year old landscaper who is brought to the ED after collapsing on a job at the local country club. He is slightly confused but is able to tell you he feels dizzy and weak. His skin is flushed, dry, and with poor turgor. In addition, his skin is tenting upon inspection and touch. He has dry, sticky mucous membranes. The RN identifies a nursing diagnosis of fluid volume deficit.
1. Describe how each of the following would change and the rationale for the change in the presence of deficient fluid volume:
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Urinary output
• Weight
2. The ED physician orders IV fluids for this patient. What types of fluids are indicated for fluid volume deficit due to dehydration?
The RN and you read the order. The fluid order is to start 1000ml of fluid at 150 ml/hr. The infusion tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/ml. The infusion will run by gravity rather than an infusion pump. How many drops per minute should you time the infusion at to ensure the correct hourly rate? ________
3. After 30 minutes of the infusion, the patient states, "My arm where the needle is feels funny." What should you do first?
What further data do you need from the patient?