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    HESI RN MED-SURG 3 PROCTORED EXAM

    Exhibits A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The client is restless, febrile, and nauseated. Insulin is infusing at 5 units/hour per protocol to keep blood glucose less than 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L). Dopamine is infusing at 5 mcg/kg/minute per protocol to keep mean arterial pressure (MAP) greater than 65 mm Hg. Serum blood glucose is 160 mg/dL and MAP is 66 mm Hg. The client is receiving oxygen at 50% via face mask and has an oxygen saturation of 92%. Which intervention should the nurse implement? Reference Range: Glucose [74 to 106 mg/dL (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L)]

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. Administer famotidine 20 mg IV. Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used for stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill patients. While this medication may be beneficial, it is not the priority intervention based on the insulin protocol and the client's blood glucose level. B. Titrate insulin infusion by 1 unit/hour. The client’s blood glucose is 160 mg/dL, which falls within the 150–199 mg/dL range according to the insulin protocol. The protocol directs the nurse to increase the insulin drip rate by 1 unit/hour to maintain blood glucose levels below 150 mg/dL. This is the most immediate and appropriate action. C. Increase dopamine 2 mcg/kg. The client’s MAP is 66 mmHg, which meets the protocol goal of keeping MAP >65 mmHg. There is no indication for increasing dopamine at this time, as the blood pressure is already within the target range. D. Raise oxygen by 10 percent. The client is on 50% FiO₂ via a face mask with an oxygen saturation of 92%, which is adequate oxygenation for a critically ill patient. Increasing FiO₂ unnecessarily may contribute to oxygen toxicity and is not required based on current oxygenation status.

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