A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for three clients.
Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect for a client who has cirrhosis?

Choice A rationale:

Performing a vaginal examination every 12 hours is not necessary in this case. The client is not in labor and there are no indications of any complications that would require frequent vaginal examinations.

Choice B rationale:

The client’s symptoms of severe headache, +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities, and a patellar reflex of 4+ without the presence of clonus are indicative of severe preeclampsia. Antihypertensive medications are often used to manage high blood pressure in preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale:

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of delivering prematurely to help mature the baby’s lungs. Given that the client is at 31 weeks of gestation and has had a previous preterm birth, administering betamethasone would be appropriate.

Choice D rationale:

A low-stimulation environment can help reduce blood pressure and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.

Choice E rationale:

Bed rest can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the placenta, which can be beneficial for the baby.

Choice F rationale:

Monitoring intake and output every hour can help assess kidney function, which can be affected by preeclampsia.

Choice G rationale:

A 24-hour urine specimen can provide information about protein levels in the urine, which can indicate the severity of preeclampsia. It’s important to note that normal ranges for lab parameters can vary slightly depending on the lab, but generally, protein levels in a 24-hour urine specimen should be less than 300 mg. Pitting edema is usually graded on a scale of 1+ (mild) to 4+ (severe), and a patellar reflex of 4+ is considered hyperactive and may indicate nervous system hyperexcitability seen in severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Choice A rationale:

"Prednisone can cause blood glucose levels to increase." Rationale: This statement is accurate. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication known to cause hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) as a side effect. It is important for the nurse to monitor the client's blood glucose levels while they are taking prednisone, especially if the client has preexisting diabetes or risk factors for diabetes.

Choice B rationale:

"Older adults are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus." Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically develops in childhood or early adulthood and is characterized by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Older adults are more at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which is different from type 1 diabetes in terms of its etiology and pathophysiology.

Choice C rationale:

"Having COPD causes blood glucose levels to fluctuate." Rationale: This statement is not accurate. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) primarily affects the respiratory system and does not directly cause blood glucose level fluctuations. Blood glucose levels can be affected indirectly in some cases due to factors like medications or stress associated with the illness, but it is not a direct result of COPD.

Choice D rationale:

"Albuterol treatments can cause blood glucose levels to decrease." Rationale: This statement is not a typical effect of albuterol treatments. Albuterol is a bronchodilator commonly used to treat respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma. It is not known to cause significant decreases in blood glucose levels.