A 20-year-old female college student is admitted to the inte…

A 20-year-old female college student is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency department. The patient lives in a dormitory at her university and her roommate brought her to the hospital because “she is not acting like herself.” The patient was previously healthy to the roommate’s knowledge, involved in campus activities, and an excellent student. The RN collects the patient’s history of present illness from her roommate. About two weeks prior, the patient began feeling ill. She had nasal congestion and was diagnosed with a sinus infection at the student health clinic. However, the patient reportedly decided against taking the prescribed antibiotics because she did not believe they were necessary. She developed high fevers and one day ago began complaining of a stiff neck. That morning, she was more lethargic, making nonsensical statements, and had a fever of 105°F. Her roommate was frightened by her change in behavior and drove her to the hospital.

As RN working in a general medical-surgical unit you are car…

As RN working in a general medical-surgical unit you are caring for a 57-year-old female with a bladder infection. Two weeks prior to hospitalization, the patient was experiencing slight burning upon urination. She self-treated by increasing her intake of fluids, but her symptoms continued to worsen. One week later, she developed generalized abdominal pain and a fever. She presented to the hospital when the pain became unbearable and fever reached 104°F. She was admitted to the medical-surgical unit and started on multiple IV antibiotics with concern that she could be developing a kidney infection.