A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has fluid volume deficit. The nurse would expect which of the following findings?
Sodium 155 mEq/L
Hematocrit 44%
Urine specific gravity 1.035
BUN 19 mg/dL
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Sodium 155 mEq/L is correct because it indicates hypernatremia, or high sodium level, which can occur in fluid volume deficit due to dehydration, excessive sweating, or diuretic therapy. Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates fluid balance and osmotic pressure in the body. The normal range of sodium is 135 to 145 mEq/L.
Choice B: Hematocrit 44% is incorrect because it is within the normal range of hematocrit, which is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Hematocrit can reflect the oxygen-carrying capacity and viscosity of the blood. The normal range of hematocrit is 37% to 47% for females and 42% to 52% for males.
Choice C: Urine specific gravity 1.035 is correct because it indicates a high urine concentration, which can occur in fluid volume deficit due to decreased urine output and increased solute excretion. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the density of urine compared to water. The normal range of urine specific gravity is 1.005 to 1.030.
Choice D: BUN 19 mg/dL is incorrect because it is within the normal range of BUN, which stands for blood urea nitrogen, and is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. BUN can reflect the kidney function and hydration status of the client. The normal range of BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Widened QRS complexes is correct because it is a sign of cardiac dysrhythmias, which can occur in respiratory acidosis due to hyperkalemia, or high potassium level. Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is low and the PaCO2 is high, indicating impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation. This can cause potassium to shift from the intracellular fluid to the extracellular fluid, thus raising the serum potassium level and affecting the cardiac conduction.
Choice B: Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes is incorrect because it is a sign of hypocalcemia, or low calcium level, which can occur in metabolic alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is high and the HCO3 is high, indicating a loss of metabolic acids or an excess of bicarbonate in the body. This can cause calcium to bind to albumin and lower its availability in the blood, thus increasing the neuromuscular excitability.
Choice C: Bounding peripheral pulses is incorrect because it is a sign of fluid overload, which can occur in heart failure, not respiratory acidosis. Fluid overload is a condition where the fluid volume in the body exceeds the normal range, causing edema, hypertension, and dyspnea. This can be caused by conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, or excessive sodium intake.
Choice D: Warm, flushed skin is incorrect because it is a sign of vasodilation, which can occur in respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is high and the PaCO2 is low, indicating excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation. This can cause the blood vessels to dilate and increase the blood flow to the skin, thus causing warmth and redness.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Metabolic acidosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3, not a high PaCO2. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of metabolic acids in the body, such as lactic acid, ketoacids, or salicylates.
Choice B: Respiratory alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation, such as in anxiety, fever, or aspirin overdose.
Choice C: Respiratory acidosis is correct because it is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, resulting in accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can be caused by conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma, or chest trauma.
Choice D: Metabolic alkalosis is incorrect because it is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3, not a low pH and a high PaCO2. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a loss of metabolic acids or an excess of bicarbonate in the body, such as from vomiting, gastric suctioning, or diuretic therapy.

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