HESI Case Study: Fluid Balance Test questions with complete solution

Donna King is an 80 year old female with coronary artery disease and hypertension. Her daughter brought her to the Emergency Department because she has become increasingly weak and confused and was found by a neighbor wandering her neighborhood unable to locate her home. Donna's daughter tells the nurse that her mother takes a "water pill" for her blood pressure 2 or 3 times a day. The label on the medication bottle that she brought to the hospital states, "hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL). Take 1 tablet daily." Donna is admitted with fluid volume deficit. - ANSWER-Meet the Client (Title) *Vital signs: Orthostatic Changes* Since Donna has fluid volume deficit, the nurse anticipates a decrease in which vital sign when Donna changes position? - Respiratory rate - Blood pressure - Temperature - Pulse rate - ANSWER-Blood pressure Rationale: Fluid volume deficit often causes orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia. Because the client may experience dizziness with orthostatic hypotension, the nurse should take additional safety precautions during this assessment. The nurse plans t