A nurse is planning to teach a group of newly licensed nurses about hypernatremia. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Seizure: While seizures may occur in severe cases of hypernatremia, they are more typically associated with hyponatremia, where cerebral edema is more prominent due to water shifts into brain cells.
B. Elevated hematocrit: An elevated hematocrit may be seen with dehydration, which can accompany hypernatremia, but it is not a direct or reliable indicator of sodium imbalance itself.
C. Bradypnea: Respiratory changes like bradypnea are not characteristic of hypernatremia. This condition primarily affects the neurological system, not the respiratory system.
D. Personality change: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, particularly in brain cells, leading to neurological symptoms such as confusion, agitation, irritability, and personality changes.

Rationale for Correct Findings:

• Spontaneous abortion: The client is at 10 weeks gestation with moderate, bright red vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramping, and an open cervix. These findings are classic indicators of an inevitable spontaneous abortion, where pregnancy loss is imminent and cannot be prevented.
• Cervical dilation: Cervical dilation during early pregnancy, especially in the presence of bleeding and cramping, indicates that the pregnancy is not viable. The open cervix confirms the uterus is preparing to expel its contents, consistent with spontaneous abortion.

Rationale for Incorrect Findings:

• Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancies typically present with unilateral pelvic pain and are usually associated with lower hCG levels than expected for gestational age. A confirmed intrauterine pregnancy with an open cervix and high hCG makes ectopic pregnancy unlikely.
• Molar pregnancy: Molar pregnancies are characterized by markedly elevated hCG levels, larger-than-expected uterine size, and sometimes passage of grape-like vesicles. The client's symptoms do not fit this profile, making this diagnosis less likely.
• hCG levels: The hCG level of 30,000 IU/L is within the normal range for 10 weeks gestation and does not indicate any problem. It supports a pregnancy of appropriate dating, not necessarily a spontaneous abortion.
• History of chlamydia infections: A history of recurrent chlamydia is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy due to potential fallopian tube scarring. However, it does not directly support a current diagnosis of spontaneous abortion without additional findings.