A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Hematocrit 45% (37% to 52%)

Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL (0.5-1.2 mg/dL)

BUN 25 mg/dL (10-20 mg/dL)

Urine specific gravity 1.028 (1.005 to 1.030)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Hematocrit 45% (37% to 52%): This value is within the normal range for hematocrit. Dehydration may increase the hematocrit due to a relative increase in red blood cell concentration, but 45% is still within normal limits.

B. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL (0.5-1.2 mg/dL): This value is within the normal range for creatinine, indicating normal kidney function.

C. BUN 25 mg/dL (10-20 mg/dL): An elevated BUN level is a sign of dehydration as it reflects increased protein breakdown and decreased renal perfusion. This value is above the normal range and should be reported to the provider.

D. Urine specific gravity 1.028 (1.005 to 1.030): This value is within the normal range and indicates that the kidneys are concentrating urine, which is typical in dehydration as the body tries to conserve water.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Potassium 2.5 mEq/L: This critically low potassium level can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and requires immediate intervention.

B. Urine specific gravity 1.035: While indicative of dehydration, it is not life-threatening and can be addressed after correcting the potassium imbalance.

C. Weight loss of 3% of total body weight: Significant but not the most critical concern in the immediate term.

D. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL: Elevated but not urgent compared to the hypokalemia.

A. Urine output 20 mL/hr B. Sodium 142 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L) C. Cool skin D. Bradycardia

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Urine output 20 mL/hr: A urine output of 20 mL/hr is on the low side but can still be expected in dehydration, as the body attempts to conserve water. Normal urine output is 30 mL/hr or more, so this could still be a sign of dehydration.

B. Sodium 142 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L): This sodium level is within the normal range. Dehydration may cause sodium to be elevated if water loss is more significant than sodium loss, but a normal value does not indicate dehydration.

C. Cool skin: Cool skin is a typical finding in dehydration, particularly in severe cases, due to reduced peripheral circulation and vasoconstriction as the body tries to maintain core temperature and blood pressure.

D. Bradycardia: Dehydration usually causes tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism to maintain blood pressure and perfusion, not bradycardia.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has acute gastroenteritis. Which of the following data collection findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is monitoring a client who has dehydration and is receiving IV fluid replacement. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as effectiveness of the treatment?

An older adult nursing home resident who has always been alert and oriented is now showing signs of dehydration and has become confused. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely involved?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a sodium level of 155 mEq/L (136-145 mEq/L). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

While assessing an older adult patient with fluid excess, the nurse notes the following: T = 98.6°F, P = 92, R = 18, BP = 166/88 mm Hg, bilateral crackles, oxygen saturation = 95%. Which action should the nurse take first?

A nurse is planning to monitor a client for dehydration following several episodes of vomiting and an increase in the client's temperature. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is dehydrated?

The nurse is preparing to start an IV on a newly admitted patient. Which action by the nurse places the patient at risk for infection?

A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's solution IV to infuse at 120 mL/hr for a client who has a respiratory disorder. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?