The nurse is caring for a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis complicated by abdominal ascites. A diagnostic paracentesis is performed. Shortly after the procedure, the patient becomes hypotensive and quickly loses consciousness. On exam, the patient is pale, peripheral pulses are faint, and extremities are cool to the touch. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient’s condition?

The nurse is performing an electrocardiogram on a patient with rhabdomyolysis. The patient asks the nurse what the rationale is for this test, since he is young and has no cardiac history. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?

A mechanically ventilated patient has an arterial blood gas result as follows: pH = 7.50 PaCO2 = 34 mmHg PaO2 = 70 mmHg HCO3 = 30 mEq/L The nurse anticipates which changes will be made to the patient’s ventilator settings?