A nurse is reinforcing teaching about self-care with an adolescent client who has infectious mononucleosis with splenomegaly.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine, which is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes increased permeability of the glomerular basement membrane, leading to loss of protein and other substances in the urine.

Choice B is wrong because hypolipidemia is a low level of lipids in the blood, which is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome causes hyperlipidemia, which is a high level of lipids in the blood, due to increased synthesis and decreased clearance of lipoproteins.

Choice C is wrong because hyperalbuminemia is a high level of albumin in the blood, which is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome causes hypoalbuminemia, which is a low level of albumin in the blood, due to loss of albumin in the urine and decreased synthesis by the liver.

Choice D is wrong because increased hemoglobin is not expected in nephrotic syndrome. On the contrary, nephrotic syndrome can cause anemia, which is a low level of hemoglobin in the blood, due to loss of iron and erythropoietin in the urine and decreased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

Normal ranges for proteinuria are less than 150 mg per day or less than 10 mg per deciliter on a random urine sample. Normal ranges for serum lipids are total cholesterol less than 200 mg per deciliter, LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg per deciliter, HDL cholesterol more than 40 mg per deciliter for men and more than 50 mg per deciliter for women, and triglycerides less than 150 mg per

deciliter. Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.5 to 5.0 grams per deciliter.

This statement indicates that the client has orthopnea, which is a sign of worsening heart failure and fluid overload. The nurse should intervene by assessing the client’s vital signs, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and edema, and notifying the provider for possible diuretic adjustment.

Choice A is wrong because “I’m urinating in larger amounts.” is an expected outcome of taking furosemide, which is a loop diuretic that increases urine output and reduces fluid retention.

Choice C is wrong because “I suck on hard candy for my dry mouth.” is a harmless way to cope with the side effect of dry mouth caused by furosemide.

Choice D is wrong because “I’ve lost 3 pounds in the last week.” is a positive sign that the client is losing excess fluid and improving their heart failure

condition. A weight loss of 2 to 4 pounds per week is acceptable for clients taking diuretics.

Normal ranges for heart failure clients are:

• Blood pressure: less than 140/90 mmHg
• Heart rate: 60 to 100 beats per minute
• Respiratory rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
• Oxygen saturation: greater than 95%
• Weight: stable or decreasing within 2 to 4 pounds per week