A nurse is admitting a client with a history of duodenal ulcer. To determine if the client's current symptoms are related to this information, the nurse should assess the client for which manifestations of a duodenal ulcer?

Choice A. An embolic stroke is caused by an embolus, often a blood clot, that travels to the brain from another part of the body. It does not typically present with a sudden, severe headache.

Choice B. A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms inside one of the brain's arteries. While it can cause a headache, it is not usually characterized by a sudden, severe headache.

Choice C. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a mini-stroke and symptoms are temporary. A sudden, severe headache is more indicative of a hemorrhagic stroke.

Choice D. A hemorrhagic stroke, which involves bleeding within the brain, is most likely to cause a sudden, severe headache, and can lead to seizures and changes in consciousness.

Choice A: RBC count The red blood cell (RBC) count is not typically decreased by hemodialysis. Hemodialysis does not remove cells from the blood. However, patients with chronic kidney disease often have anemia, which is a low RBC count, due to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin by the kidneys. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBCs. Anemia in these patients is treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, not dialysis.

Choice B: Protein Protein levels are not directly affected by hemodialysis. However, patients on hemodialysis may have lower protein levels due to dietary restrictions or protein loss during the treatment. It is important for patients to manage their protein intake to prevent malnutrition and maintain overall health.

Choice C: Potassium Potassium levels are expected to decrease following hemodialysis. Potassium is an electrolyte that is normally filtered out by the kidneys. In patients with kidney failure, potassium levels can build up in the blood and cause serious heart problems. Hemodialysis removes excess potassium from the blood, which helps to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmia. The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L. After a hemodialysis treatment, a nurse should expect to find a decrease in potassium levels in the laboratory data of a client. This is because hemodialysis effectively removes excess potassium, which can accumulate in the blood due to reduced kidney function. Maintaining proper potassium levels is crucial for preventing heart complications in patients with kidney failure.

Choice D: Calcium Calcium levels are not typically decreased by hemodialysis. In fact, calcium levels can be affected by the dialysate used during hemodialysis. Some dialysates contain calcium, and this can actually increase the patient’s blood calcium levels. Patients with kidney failure may also have secondary hyperparathyroidism, which affects calcium levels, and they may be treated with calcium supplements or vitamin D analogs to manage their calcium levels.