A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. Which finding should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is dehydrated?

Blood pressure 178/90 mm Hg

Edema

Bounding bilateral pulses

Increased urine specific gravity

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A) Blood pressure 178/90 mm Hg: Elevated blood pressure is more commonly associated with fluid overload or hypertension rather than dehydration. In dehydration, one would expect to see a decrease in blood pressure, particularly orthostatic hypotension, due to a reduction in blood volume.

B) Edema: Edema indicates fluid retention in the tissues, which is a sign of fluid overload rather than dehydration. Dehydration typically results in reduced extracellular fluid volume, leading to symptoms like dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor, rather than swelling.

C) Bounding bilateral pulses: Bounding pulses are usually seen in conditions of increased cardiac output or fluid overload, where there is an excess of fluid volume. In contrast, dehydration often leads to weak and thready pulses due to decreased circulatory volume.

D) Increased urine specific gravity: Increased urine specific gravity is a direct indicator of dehydration. It occurs because the kidneys concentrate urine to conserve water, leading to a higher concentration of solutes in the urine. This is a reliable clinical marker of reduced hydration status, reflecting the body's attempt to maintain fluid balance by conserving water.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Dysphagia: While dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can occur in individuals with long-term alcohol use, especially if there is coexisting neurological damage or esophageal disorders, it is not specifically associated with vomiting and diarrhea in the context of this scenario. The primary concern here involves electrolyte imbalances.

B) Hypoactive deep tendon reflexes (DTR): Hypoactive DTRs are typically associated with hypermagnesemia rather than hypomagnesemia. In this case, the client's condition is more likely to lead to electrolyte deficiencies, including hypomagnesemia, due to vomiting, diarrhea, and poor nutritional intake.

C) Hypomagnesemia: Chronic alcohol use often results in nutritional deficiencies, and vomiting and diarrhea can further exacerbate this by depleting electrolytes. Hypomagnesemia is a common finding in long-term alcoholics due to poor dietary intake, gastrointestinal losses, and renal losses. This can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, tremors, and altered mental status. Hypomagnesemia is particularly concerning because it can affect cardiovascular stability and neuromuscular function.

D) Positive Chvostek sign: A positive Chvostek sign is indicative of hypocalcemia, which can occur secondary to hypomagnesemia. However, it is not as directly associated with chronic alcoholism as hypomagnesemia itself. The positive Chvostek sign involves a facial muscle spasm in response to tapping the facial nerve and indicates neuromuscular irritability due to low calcium levels. While related, the primary electrolyte imbalance expected here is hypomagnesemia.

A. The first 2 min B. The final 15 min C. The first 15 min D. The final 2 min

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) The first 2 min: While it is essential to monitor the client closely during the first few minutes of a PRBC infusion, a two-minute observation period is insufficient to detect most acute transfusion reactions. Many reactions, such as fever, chills, and allergic responses, can take longer to manifest.

B) The final 15 min: Monitoring during the final 15 minutes is important to ensure the infusion is completed without complications. However, the most critical time for monitoring is at the beginning of the infusion, as acute reactions are more likely to occur early on.

C) The first 15 min: The first 15 minutes of a PRBC transfusion are crucial because most acute transfusion reactions, such as allergic reactions, febrile non-hemolytic reactions, and hemolytic reactions, occur within this time frame. The nurse should remain at the bedside to promptly identify and manage any adverse reactions, ensuring the client's safety.

D) The final 2 min: Monitoring during the final two minutes of the infusion is also important, but it is not the critical time frame for detecting most transfusion reactions. Observing the client closely during the initial phase of the transfusion is essential to address any immediate complications.

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A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. Which finding should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is dehydrated?

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