1100:
The client is readmitted to the hospital following aortic valve replacement with repair of aortic aneurysm. His surgery was performed 3 weeks prior to his readmission. He was discharged on post-op day 5. His course was uncomplicated, and he states he felt well at home for about 10 days. He has just been admitted to the nursing unit. Starting about 10 days after he got home, he developed chest discomfort that was constant but worse with deep inspiration. He was not able to perform his incentive spirometry as well as at the time of discharge. He states his appetite and fluid intake have also declined. The client also states he normally urinates at least 5 times/day and now only urinates 2–3 times/day. The urine is odorous and dark in color. He has a frequent, dry, unproductive cough. For the past 5 days, he has noted increasing shortness of breath and inability to walk very far without resting. On examination, the nurse notes that breath sounds are clear but decreased bilaterally at bases. The nurse also notes that heart sounds are not easily identified.
1130:
Initial lab work results are reviewed. Chest x-ray was completed; no results available at this time. The client has been placed on nasal cannula oxygen @ 2 lpm. His VS remain the same, and the nurse notes prominent jugular veins while the client is supine with HOB at 15 degrees. He states he is most comfortable sitting up and raises his HOB to 30 degrees. His sternal incision is open to air without drainage. There is a 1-cm-wide area of redness around the edges of the incision.
1100:
| BP | 92/76 mHg |
| HR | 126 bpm |
| RR | 30/min |
| Temperature | 99.8°F |
| SpO2 | 95% room air |
1130:
| BP | 88/70 mmHg |
| HR | 128 bpm |
| RR | 32/min |
| Temperature | 100°F |
| SpO2 | 98% nasal cannula 2 lpm |
| Test | Client Result | Normal Range |
| HBG | 11.0 g/mL | 12–18 g/mL |
| HCT | 34% | 38%–48% |
| WBC | 11,000 µL | 4500–11,000 µL |
| BUN | 28 mg/dL | 7–20 mg/dL |
| Cr | 1.9 mg/dL | 0.7–1.3 mg/dL |
| NA | 144 mEq/L | 135–145 mEq/L |
| K | 3.6 mEq/L | 3.5–5.0 mEq/L |
| CI | 96 mEq/L | 97–103 mEq/L |
| CO2 | 22 mEq/L | 22–26 mEq/L |
| Sed Rate | 62 mm/hr | 0–22 mm/hr |
| CRP | 0.56 mg/dL | <0.3 mg/dL |
| BG | 90 | <99 mg/dL |
| Urine SG | 1.025 | 1.010–1.1025 |
With review of additional information from the laboratory test results and physical exam as noted in the updated 1130 Nurse’s Note, the nurse begins to formulate a possible etiology of the client’s presentation. For each item listed, click to indicate whether it is a primary finding of urinary tract infection, pulmonary embolism, and/or post-pericardiotomy syndrome.