Question

The health care provider prescribes the following therapies for a patient who has been admitted with dehydration and hypotension after 3 days of nausea and vomiting. Which order will the nurse implement first?

a. Infuse normal saline at 250 mL/hr.
b. Administer IV ondansetron (Zofran).
c. Provide oral care with moistened swabs.
d. Insert a 16-gauge nasogastric (NG) tube.

Answer 1

The first order to implement for a patient admitted with dehydration and hypotension is infusing normal saline at 250 mL/hr to urgently restore fluid balance and stabilize blood pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing a patient admitted with dehydration and hypotension after days of nausea and vomiting, the most immediate concern is the restoration of fluid balance and blood pressure. Therefore, the first order a nurse should implement is infuse normal saline at 250 mL/hr. Normal saline solution is isotonic to body fluids and is commonly administered intravenously to quickly rehydrate the patient and correct electrolyte imbalances. This will help stabilize the patient's blood pressure and address the hypotension.

Once hydration and blood pressure are being managed, the nurse can proceed with other supportive treatments such as giving medications like ondansetron (Zofran) to control nausea and vomiting, providing oral care to enhance comfort, and engaging in further diagnostics or therapeutic interventions, like the insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube if needed for gastric decompression or to prevent further vomiting.