A nurse is assessing a client who has a pneumothorax with a chest tube in place. For which of the following findings should the nurse notify the provider?

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because hypervolemia is a condition of excess fluid volume in the body. A client who has an extensive burn injury is more likely to have hypovolemia, which is a condition of low fluid volume, due to fluid loss from the damaged skin and capillaries.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is a condition of high blood pH and high bicarbonate level. A client who has an extensive burn injury is more likely to have metabolic acidosis, which is a condition of low blood pH and low bicarbonate level, due to increased production of lactic acid and ketones from tissue hypoxia and breakdown.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because low hemoglobin is a common laboratory finding in a client who has an extensive burn injury. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A client who has an extensive burn injury may have low hemoglobin due to hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells, or hemorrhage, which is the loss of blood.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because hyperkalemia is a condition of high blood potassium level. A client who has an extensive burn injury may have hyperkalemia in the early phase of injury, due to cell damage and potassium release, but it is usually transient and followed by hypokalemia, which is a condition of low blood potassium level, due to fluid loss and potassium depletion.

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because oral hypoglycemic medications are not effective for treating DKA. Oral hypoglycemic medications are drugs that lower the blood glucose level by stimulating insulin secretion or increasing insulin sensitivity. They may be used for clients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus, but they do not work for clients who have type 1 diabetes mellitus or DKA.

Choice B Reason: This choice is correct because 0.9% sodium chloride IV bolus is an effective treatment for DKA. 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic solution that contains the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma. It may be used for clients who have fluid loss, dehydration, or shock. In DKA, the body breaks down fat for energy due to insulin deficiency or resistance, resulting in high levels of ketones and acids in the blood. This causes osmotic diuresis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, administering 0.9% sodium chloride IV bolus can help to restore fluid volume and correct electrolyte imbalance.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride is not indicated for treating DKA. Dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride is a hypertonic solution that contains more solutes than blood plasma. It may be used for clients who have hyponatremia, cerebral edema, or malnutrition, but it can worsen hyperglycemia and osmotic diuresis in clients who have DKA.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because glucocorticoid medications are not indicated for treating DKA. Glucocorticoid medications are drugs that mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress response and inflammation. They may be used for clients who have allergic reactions, asthma, or autoimmune diseases, but they can increase blood glucose levels and inhibit insulin action in clients who have DKA.