A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration due to diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Write the information at an 8th-grade reading level.: Health literacy is a key consideration when developing educational materials for the general public. Writing at an 8th-grade reading level ensures the content is accessible and understandable to a wide audience. This increases the likelihood that the target population will comprehend and retain the information.

B. Explain medical terminology using basic, one-syllable words.: While medical terms should be simplified, using only one-syllable words may result in oversimplification and miscommunication. Clear explanations should be provided in layman's terms, but not necessarily using only one-syllable words.

C. Use a 12-point font size.: A 12-point font size is a reasonable choice for readability, but 14-point or larger is often recommended for easier reading, especially for older adults or those with vision impairments.

D. Present information from complex to simple.: It is generally more effective to start with simple, basic concepts and build up to more complex information. Presenting information in a logical, structured manner—starting from the basics—will help the reader better understand the material.

A. BUN 18 mg/dL is incorrect. A BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level of 18 mg/dL is within the normal range (typically 7–20 mg/dL) and does not indicate immediate concern in this context. An elevated BUN could indicate dehydration, but this level is not significantly elevated.

B. Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL is incorrect. Serum creatinine levels are also within normal limits for most adults, which is around 0.6–1.2 mg/dL, and this finding does not indicate a problem.

C. Urine output 12 mL/hr is correct. A urine output of 12 mL/hr is low and indicates oliguria, which is a concern in the context of dehydration. The normal urine output for an adult is at least 30 mL/hr. A decrease in urine output suggests that the kidneys are not receiving adequate blood flow, which could indicate severe dehydration and requires immediate attention from the provider.

D. Urine specific gravity 1.020 is incorrect. Urine specific gravity of 1.020 is within the normal range (typically 1.005–1.030) and indicates that the kidneys are concentrating urine appropriately, which is not a concerning finding in this case.