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)
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.
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Related Questions
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.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Explanation
Answer: I. Temperature
II. Antibiotic therapy
I. Temperature: The client has a fever (37.3°C), which can be a sign of infection or another serious condition. The first priority is to address the fever, as it may indicate a systemic infection, which needs immediate intervention. Fever is usually managed with antipyretics such as acetaminophen.
II. Antibiotic therapy: Since the client has a fever and possible infection, antibiotic therapy should be initiated early (as per the provider’s orders) to treat the suspected infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often started while waiting for culture results.
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