QUESTION: "When monitoring the laboratory studies of a pregnant client receiving terbutaline (Brethine) therapy, which of the following would lead the nurse to suspect that the client's blood plasma volume has increased? "
CHOICES
( O ) a.) Decreased hematocrit level.
( X ) b.) Glycosuria.
( X ) c.) Hyperkalemia.
( X ) d.) Increased serum calcium levels.
RATIONALE: An adverse effect of terbutaline therapy is pulmonary edema. Increased plasma volume indicative of fluid overload further compounds the client's risk for developing this adverse effect. Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are indicators of an increase in blood plasma volume. Increased blood plasma volume causes a type of blood dilution that decreases hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Glycosuria is not an indicator of increased blood plasma volume. Rather it indicates glucose in the urine. Terbutaline therapy is associated with hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia. Decreased, not increased, serum calcium levels may indicate decreased plasma blood volume. NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrity CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
