The nurse is assessing a client who reports a 3 day history of vomiting and diarrhea and experiencing difficulty in tolerating oral fluids. Which urine specific gravity value would the nurse expect to see on Initial testing?
Reference Range: Urine Specific Gravity [1.005 to 1.03]
1.035.
1.015.
1.005.
1.025.
1.025.
The Correct Answer is A
A. 1.035:
This specific gravity value indicates highly concentrated urine. In the context of a client experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty tolerating oral fluids, such a high specific gravity would be indicative of significant dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, leading to an imbalance in electrolytes and an increase in urine concentration.
B. 1.015:
This specific gravity value falls within the normal reference range for urine specific gravity. In the context of vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty tolerating oral fluids, a value within the normal range may be less likely. However, it's important to note that initial testing may not reflect the full extent of dehydration, especially if the client's fluid intake has been severely limited over a short period.
C. 1.005:
This specific gravity value is at the lower end of the normal reference range for urine specific gravity. In a client experiencing significant fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea, the urine may become more concentrated as the body attempts to conserve water. Therefore, a value of 1.005 would be less likely on initial testing in this context.
D. 1.025:
Similar to Option B, this specific gravity value falls within the normal reference range. While it's possible for a dehydrated individual to have a specific gravity within the normal range, a value of 1.025 may be less likely in the context of significant fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea. However, it's important to consider that dehydration severity and urine concentration can vary among individuals.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Administer PRN oral pain medication:
Administering pain medication without further assessment may not be appropriate, as the client's pain needs must be fully evaluated before intervening with medication. Additionally, pain medication should be administered based on an accurate assessment rather than solely on nonverbal cues.
B. Review the pain medications prescribed:
While it's important to review the client's pain medications, particularly if the client is exhibiting signs of uncontrolled pain, this intervention should be secondary to further assessment of the client's current pain status.
C. Ask the client what is causing the grimacing:
Asking the client directly about the cause of their grimacing can help clarify their discomfort and provide insight into whether their pain response is being underreported. This approach helps bridge the gap between nonverbal cues and verbal reports.
D. Monitor the client's nonverbal behavior:
While monitoring nonverbal behavior is important, it does not directly address the discrepancy between the client’s grimacing and their verbal denial of pain. This action should be complemented by further assessment to understand the cause of the nonverbal signs.
E. Establish a regular time for going to bed and getting up: This intervention is not relevant to the current situation, as the client is experiencing discomfort while moving.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client:
Initiating a fall risk protocol may be premature based solely on observations of an upright posture and a smooth, steady gait. While falls are a significant concern in older adults, these observations suggest that the client currently exhibits good balance and mobility, which may not warrant immediate initiation of a fall risk protocol. Fall risk assessments typically involve a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors beyond posture and gait, such as medical history, medications, cognitive status, and environmental factors.
B. Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls:
Teaching the client to shorten their stride to prevent falls may not be necessary based on the observed smooth and steady gait. Shortening the stride is often recommended for individuals who exhibit signs of imbalance or instability during walking. However, in this scenario, the client demonstrates a smooth and steady gait, suggesting that their current gait pattern is effective and does not pose an immediate risk of falling.
C. Determine the client's activity tolerance:
Assessing the client's activity tolerance is an appropriate next step in the nursing process. While the observed upright posture and smooth, steady gait are positive indicators of mobility, understanding the client's overall activity tolerance provides valuable insight into their functional capacity and ability to perform activities of daily living safely. This assessment helps tailor care interventions to meet the client's individual needs and promotes optimal independence and quality of life.
D. Record the client's ability to perform ADLs safely:
Documenting the client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) safely is an essential component of nursing assessment and documentation. However, it may not be the most immediate action to take following the observation of an upright posture and smooth, steady gait. While documenting findings is important for maintaining accurate records and facilitating communication among healthcare team members, further assessment of the client's activity tolerance would provide additional context for documenting their functional status accurately.
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