Final answer:
When a physician orders a CT scan for a patient with diabetes, the nurse should review the patient's chart for indicators of renal function, hydration, and other factors including whether the patient is taking metformin, has metal in their body, has taken anticoagulants in the previous 48 hours, or has been NPO for the previous 8 hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a physician orders a computed tomography (CT) scan for a patient with diabetes, the nurse should review the patient's chart for indicators of renal function, adequate hydration, and other factors. In this case, the nurse should specifically check if the patient is taking metformin, if the patient has metal in their body, if the patient has taken anticoagulants in the previous 48 hours, and if the patient has been NPO (nothing by mouth) for the previous 8 hours.
- The nurse should check if the patient is taking metformin because this medication can interact with the contrast dye used in CT scans and may increase the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis.
- The nurse should check if the patient has metal in their body because certain metals can interfere with the CT scan images and may cause artifacts that make it difficult to interpret the results.
- The nurse should check if the patient has taken anticoagulants in the previous 48 hours because these medications can increase the risk of bleeding during the CT scan, especially if contrast dye is used.
- The nurse should check if the patient has been NPO for the previous 8 hours because CT scans may require fasting to avoid complications from anesthesia, contrast dye, or sedation.