The 71-year-old patient with a history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department 3 hours after exhibiting right-sided facial weakness, drooping of the right eye, and slurring of the words. Appendicular tone is normal and the patient has no issues walking or standing from a sitting position. The nurse prepares the patient for which intervention first? 

Which lab value is most concerning for a patient who is being treated for hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)?

The 68-year-old patient is admitted after 5 days of extremely foul-smelling watery diarrhea with a temperature of 37.9°C, heart rate 118 bpm, and blood pressure 98/52 mmHg. The patient’s recent medical history is significant for being treated 2 weeks ago for a diverticulitis flare-up. Upon assessment, the patient is pale, diaphoretic, and has a tense, distended abdomen that he does not guard with palpation. Lab studies reveal an elevated creatinine (1.9 mg/dL), high white blood cell count (20,000 cells/mL), and normal hemoglobin and hematocrit. The nurse prepares to perform which diagnostic test for this patient?