Fundamentals of Professional Nursing

High-Risk Medication Template: Hydrocodone 5/325

· Uses: Pain management in cases of moderate to severe pain, especially post-surgical and in chronic conditions like paralysis.

· Risks: Risk of addiction, respiratory depression, constipation, nausea, and dizziness. Over-sedation and potential for overdose.

· Nursing Responsibilities: Regular monitoring of pain levels, vital signs, and signs of over-sedation or dependency. Proper dosing and timing of administration. Monitoring bowel habits due to risk of constipation.

· Patient Education: Educate about the risk of addiction, proper usage, and when to seek help for pain management. Inform about side effects and the importance of adhering to prescribed dosage.

2

LABS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

· Normal Results: Ranges can vary slightly, but generally, WBC 4.5-11.0 x10^3/uL, RBC 4.7-6.1 x10^6/uL for men, Hemoglobin 13.8-17.2 g/dL for men, Hematocrit 40.7-50.3% for men, Platelets 150-450 x10^3/uL (Ware, 2020).

· Expected Abnormalities: Given Mr. Clark's pressure ulcer and potential for infection, an elevated WBC count could be expected, signifying infection or inflammation.

· Significance: An elevated WBC count would necessitate further investigation for infection and more aggressive wound care management.

2. Serum Albumin

· Normal Results: 3.4-5.4 g/dL.

· Expected Abnormalities: Lower levels of serum albumin may be observed, possibly due to his nutritional status affected by alcohol abuse and current health condition.

· Significance: Low albumin levels can indicate malnutrition and can impact wound healing, especially relevant for his pressure ulcer. This would warrant nutritional interventions (Goldfarb-Rumyantzev & Schulman, 2023).

3. Urinalysis

· Normal Results: Clear, yellow urine; pH 4.5-8; Specific gravity 1.005-1.030; Negative for protein, glucose, ketones, blood (Goldfarb-Rumyantzev & Schulman, 2023).

· Expected Abnormalities: Presence of proteins or leukocytes might be expected due to his incontinence and use of Foley catheter, indicating potential urinary tract infection (UTI).

· Significance: Abnormal results can suggest a UTI or kidney issues, requiring potential antibiotic treatment or adjustments in bladder management.

4. Blood Glucose Levels

· Normal Results: Fasting glucose: 70-99 mg/dL; Postprandial (2 hours after eating): <140 mg/dL (Bolla & Priefer, 2020).

· Expected Abnormalities: Elevated levels may be seen due to his obesity and potential stress from his current health condition.

· Significance: High blood glucose levels can impair wound healing and increase infection risk. It may require dietary adjustments or glucose management strategies.

5. Spinal Imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT)

· Normal Results: Normally aligned vertebrae without fractures or misalignment.

· Expected Abnormalities: Post-surgical changes at the T3 level and any signs of further complications post-stabilization.

· Significance: These imaging results are crucial for assessing the status of the surgical site, ensuring the stability of the spine, and planning further rehabilitation interventions.

References