Problem
A 64-year-old client presents to the urgent care office complaining of shortness of breath and coughing up "yellow mucus." The client has a history of smoking one pack a day for 20 years and has chronic renal failure. Upon examination, they are noted to have a fever and low blood pressure. After a chest x-ray, the client diagnosed with right lower lobe pneumonia with subsequent sepsis and a resultant metabolic acidosis. The client is admitted to a local hospital for intravenous antibiotics and further observation. For this activity, you will develop a teaching plan for the newly admitted client.
Address the following in your plan:
1. What factors led to the client developing metabolic acidosis? How did the client's body attempt to compensate for this?
2. How would renal failure have affected the compensatory mechanisms?
3. What additional nursing assessments are needed at this time?