Question

Main Post (by Wednesday November)

A 36-year-old client was admitted with gastroenteritis. She has been vomiting and having severe diarrhea for 2 days. She is very weak. The current laboratory results are Na+ 128 mEq/L, K+ 3.0 mEq/L, Cl− 90 mEq/L. The physician orders IV of 0.9% normal saline solution at 100 mL/hr, NPO, and I & O.

1. Are the lab results normal or abnormal? If so, which ones?
2. What treatment and/or medication(s), if any, would be ordered?
3. What complication(s) if any is likely to develop if the symptoms persist? (Discuss one)
4. What education would you provide to the client to prevent this issue in the future?

Answer 1

1. Sodium(135-145)chloride (97-107)and potassium (3.5-4.5) values are less than normal range.

2. 0.9% normal saline would be ordered to address current deficits and medications include antiemetics to stop vomiting and antibiotic like ciprofloxacin for gut disinfection. Probiotics like sporolac for gut recolonization may be ordered.

3. if symptoms continue to persist , then there can symtoms because of severe deficits of these electrolytes and hypovolemia can occur which may lead to hypovolemic shock or cardiac arrhythmia  may occur because of severe potassium deficit along with other serious symptoms.

4. Patient education to prevent this issue in future includes:

1. practise handwashing after using washrooms and before having meals
2. have filtered water for drinking
3. avoid raw vegetables and fruits
4. Keep raw meat. Eggs and poultry from other raw veggies
5. Use properly cleaned utensils for food items.