Physiological Adaptation

Question 1

Post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Answer 1

• Monitoring the daily weight of the client and noting any changes provides the nurse with a picture of the client’s fluid volume status, which is influenced by the client’s cardiac output.
• Weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid gain and loss.

-Monitoring the client’s arterial blood gas (ABG) is also needed in the care of a post-CABG client to detect hypoxemia or acidosis

• Opioids provide pain relief to the client after surgery and should be administered by the nurse promptly to manage pain.

Question 2

Polycythemia

Answer 2

• a condition in which the number of RBCs in the blood is greater than normal
• Polycythemia may be primary (bone marrow problem such as myeloproliferative disorder), secondary (COPD, EPO producing tumors), or relative (dehydration).
• Patients with COPD commonly have secondary polycythemia caused by hypoxia, which prompts erythropoiesis (red cell production).

Question 3

Polycythemia (increased RBC) associated with COPD

Answer 3

Cause the kidneys to respond by releasing erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production.

The red blood cell count is elevated to compensate for hypoxia or low oxygen levels.

More cells are available to carry and deliver the maximum amount of oxygen.