Question

A nurse at a provider's office is caring for a client who is 28 years of age. Select 3 findings that require immediate follow-up.

a) Elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema
b) Weight gain, mood swings, and fatigue
c) Increased appetite, hair loss, and dry skin
d) Constipation, headache, and backache

Answer 1

Immediate follow-up is required for a patient who presents with elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema, as these may indicate serious conditions such as preeclampsia or glomerulonephritis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the identification of clinical signs in a 28-year-old patient that require immediate follow-up by a nurse. The three findings from the options provided that would most urgently require follow-up are: elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema. These symptoms may indicate a serious condition such as preeclampsia or glomerulonephritis, both of which can have significant health implications if not addressed promptly.

Option (a) elevated blood pressure combined with proteinuria and edema is particularly concerning because these are symptoms that could signal preeclampsia in a pregnant woman or indicate possible kidney issues such as glomerulonephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units. These conditions can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

While the other symptoms listed in options (b), (c), and (d) are important and may necessitate follow-up, they do not typically represent as immediate a threat to a patient's health as the combination of symptoms in option (a).