Monday, March 08, 2010
Restoring Hemoglobin
One of the goals for a patient who has a large blood loss is the restoration of normal hemoglobin levels. This is partially done by blood transfusions, usually to a hemoglobin level of about 10g/dL. A hemoglobin level that low will leave the patient feeling fatigued, but should be high enough to protect the heart from anemic ischemia.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Renal Dysfunction
Mrs. Mersa is admitted with sepsis and hypotension. Her labs indicate:
BUN 58 mg/dl
Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dl
Urine sodium 70 mEq/L
Urine specific gravity 1.010, with cellular casts and RBCs in the urine.
Based on these findings you would consider:
Friday, February 12, 2010
Which action first?
Which information about a patient who has just been admitted to the hospital with nausea and vomiting will require the most rapid intervention by the nurse?