The client has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor to assess for renal function?
Blood glucose level.
Serum creatinine level.
Serum albumin level.
White blood cell count.
The Correct Answer is B
Serum creatinine is a waste product that comes from muscle activity and is normally removed by the kidneys.
When the kidneys are damaged, the serum creatinine level rises.
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering the blood and it is calculated from the serum creatinine level.
A normal GFR is 60 or more, while a GFR below 60 may indicate kidney disease.
Therefore, monitoring the serum creatinine level and the GFR can help assess the renal function in CKD.
Choice A is wrong because blood glucose level is not a direct indicator of renal function, although high blood glucose can damage the kidneys over time.
Choice C is wrong because serum albumin level is not a specific marker of renal function, although low serum albumin can be caused by protein loss in the urine due to kidney damage.
Choice D is wrong because white blood cell count is not related to renal function, but rather to immune system activity and infection.
Normal ranges for serum creatinine are 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women.
Normal ranges for GFR are 90 to 120 mL/min.
Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL1.
Normal ranges for white blood cell count are 4,000 to 11,000 cells per microliter.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Oral potassium supplements can cause stomach irritation or laxative effect if taken without enough fluid or food.
Taking the medication with food or a full glass of water can help prevent these side effects and improve absorption.
Choice B is wrong because taking the medication on an empty stomach with a sip of water can increase the risk of stomach irritation or laxative effect and reduce absorption.
Choice C is wrong because taking the medication with milk or antacids can interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).
Choice D is wrong because taking the medication with grapefruit juice can also interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia.
Grapefruit juice can also interact with some medications that affect potassium levels, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and potassium- sparing diuretics.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Protein intake can increase the excretion of calcium and oxalate in the urine, which can promote the formation of calcium oxalate stones. The client should limit animal protein sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Choice A is wrong because purine-rich foods, such as organ meats, shellfish, and beer, can increase the production of uric acid, which can cause uric acid stones.
Choice B is wrong because a low-calcium diet can increase the absorption of oxalate in the intestine, which can increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
The client should consume a moderate amount of calcium from dietary sources, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables.
Choice C is wrong because potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes, can help prevent calcium oxalate stones by increasing the urinary pH and citrate levels.
The client should consume adequate amounts of potassium from dietary sources.
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