A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute kidney failure after a surgical procedure. Telemetry monitoring shows a widened QRS, frequent premature ventricular contractions, and a heart rate of 55/min. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse identify?

Choice A rationale:

A defined area of cool, boggy skin is not indicative of a stage 2 pressure injury. Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness skin loss, usually appearing as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed, without slough or bruising.

Choice B rationale:

A shallow crater involving the epidermis is characteristic of a stage 2 pressure injury. It presents as a partial-thickness skin loss with the loss of the epidermis, and the wound may be superficial and appear as an abrasion, blister, or shallow ulcer.

Choice C rationale:

The reddened area that does not blanch is more indicative of an early-stage pressure injury (Stage 1). In Stage 1, the skin remains intact, but there is non-blanch-able erythema indicating damage to the skin and underlying tissue.

Choice D rationale:

Undermining or tunneling of the skin is not specific to stage 2 pressure injuries. These features may be observed in more advanced stages of pressure injuries, such as stages 3 and 4, where there is full-thickness skin loss with damage to the subcutaneous tissue and underlying structures.

Choice A rationale:

A decrease in NG tube drainage indicates that the client's stomach contents are not being aspirated excessively, which suggests that the IV fluids are effectively maintaining fluid volume balance. This finding is positive because it shows that the client is retaining the fluids they need, and it may also indicate improved gastrointestinal function and decreased risk of dehydration.

Choice B rationale:

The potassium level of 3.3 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter) is low. The normal range for potassium is typically between 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Hypokalemia (low potassium) can result from various factors and may cause muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other complications. It is not a finding that indicates the effectiveness of fluid volume balance therapy.

Choice C rationale:

An increased heart rate may suggest that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit or other physiological stress. It is not a finding that indicates the effectiveness of fluid volume balance therapy.

Choice D rationale:

A hematocrit level of 46% is within the normal range for adult males (typically around 38.8% to 50%) and indicates the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. While it can provide information about blood viscosity and hydration status, it does not directly indicate the effectiveness of fluid volume balance therapy.