A nurse is planning care for a client who has anorexia and has manifestations of malnutrition. When reviewing the client's laboratory values. which of the following test results should the nurse expect to be low?
Troponin
Albumin
D-dimer
Creatinine
The Correct Answer is B
A. Troponin:
Troponin is a protein found in the heart muscle. Elevated levels of troponin in the blood indicate damage to the heart, often due to a heart attack or other cardiac issues. This marker is crucial in diagnosing heart-related problems.
B. Albumin:
Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and is essential for maintaining blood volume and regulating fluid balance. It also helps transport various substances in the blood. Low levels of albumin are indicative of malnutrition, liver disease, or kidney disorders.
C. D-dimer:
D-dimer is a substance in the blood that is released when a blood clot breaks up. Elevated levels of D-dimer can indicate the presence of an abnormal blood clot, but it is not specific to malnutrition. It is often used in diagnosing conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
D. Creatinine:
Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles and excreted by the kidneys. Creatinine levels in the blood can indicate how well the kidneys are functioning. Elevated levels can suggest kidney damage or other kidney-related issues but are not directly related to malnutrition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Upper left quadrant: Pain in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen can be associated with issues related to the spleen, stomach, or parts of the colon. It's not a typical location for pain related to diverticular disease.
B. Upper right quadrant: Pain in the upper right quadrant is often associated with issues related to the liver, gallbladder, or part of the colon. Again, not a typical location for diverticular disease-related pain.
C. Lower left quadrant: This is the correct answer. Diverticular disease often causes pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen, particularly if the inflammation or infection is in the sigmoid colon, which is a common site for diverticula.
D. Lower right quadrant: Pain in the lower right quadrant can be related to issues with the appendix or parts of the colon. It's not a typical location for diverticular disease-related pain.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL:
This blood glucose level is slightly elevated but not significantly concerning on its own. It may be related to stress or other factors. In the context of acute gastroenteritis, it might be secondary to dehydration, but it is not an immediate priority unless the client is diabetic.
B. Potassium 2.5 mEq/L:
This is the correct answer. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) are a severe concern, especially in the context of acute gastroenteritis where there can be significant losses through vomiting and diarrhea. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and needs urgent correction.
C. Weight loss of 3% of total body weight:
While weight loss is an important parameter, a 3% weight loss is usually not an immediate concern. In cases of acute gastroenteritis, rapid weight loss might indicate severe dehydration, but this choice is not as urgent as addressing a severe electrolyte imbalance like hypokalemia.
D. Urine specific gravity 1.035:
This specific gravity indicates concentrated urine, which could be due to dehydration. While this finding is important and indicates the need for rehydration, it is not as urgent as correcting a critically low potassium level.
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