A nurse is monitoring a client who has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
Elevated BUN
Hypercalcemia
Metabolic alkalosis
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: In acute kidney injury (AKI), the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is expected to be elevated due to the kidneys' impaired ability to excrete urea, which is a waste product of protein metabolism. Normal BUN levels range from approximately 7 to 20 mg/dL.
Choice B reason: Hypercalcemia is not commonly associated with AKI. Instead, patients with AKI may experience hypocalcemia due to the kidneys' reduced ability to convert vitamin D to its active form, which is necessary for calcium absorption.
Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis is not a typical finding in AKI. More commonly, patients with AKI experience metabolic acidosis because the kidneys are unable to excrete acid effectively, leading to an accumulation of acid in the body.
Choice D reason: Hypokalemia is generally not expected in AKI. The condition is more often associated with hyperkalemia, as the impaired kidney function leads to a reduced excretion of potassium, which can accumulate to dangerous levels.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Asparagus is not typically high in potassium and does not need to be avoided by clients with chronic
kidney disease.
Choice B reason: Raisins are high in potassium and should be avoided by clients with chronic kidney disease to prevent hyperkalemia.
Choice C reason: Bananas are known to be high in potassium and should be limited or avoided in clients with chronic kidney disease.
Choice D reason: Tomatoes and tomato products are high in potassium and should be avoided to maintain safe
potassium levels.
Choice E reason: Green beans are not considered high in potassium and do not typically need to be avoided by clients with chronic kidney disease.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A pH of 7.26 indicates acidosis, but an HCO3 of 24 and PaCO2 of 46 suggest a respiratory cause rather than metabolic, which is not typical for AKI.
Choice B reason: A pH of 7.49 indicates alkalosis, and with an HCO3 of 30 and PaCO2 of 40, this suggests metabolic alkalosis, which is not expected in AKI.
Choice C reason: A pH of 7.49 indicates alkalosis. An HCO3 of 24 is normal, and a PaCO2 of 30 would suggest respiratory alkalosis, not typically associated with AKI.
Choice D reason: A pH of 7.26 indicates acidosis, and with an HCO3 of 14, this suggests metabolic acidosis, which is consistent with AKI. The PaCO2 of 30 indicates a compensatory respiratory response to the metabolic acidosis. This ABG result aligns with the expected findings in a patient with AKI, where there is an accumulation of acids and a decrease in bicarbonate due to the kidneys' inability to filter and excrete hydrogen ions effectively.
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