The nurse is completing an admission assessment. The client reports a 2-day history of hematuria. Which term describes this assessment finding?

When a client experiences increased production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone due to extreme stress, the body's response is aimed at retaining fluid to maintain blood pressure and hydration. As a result, urinary output decreases because the kidneys retain more water, leading to concentrated urine production. This decrease in urinary output helps conserve fluids and contributes to maintaining blood pressure and hydration levels in response to stress.

A. Serum osmolarity: With increased ADH production, serum osmolarity tends to remain stable or may even increase slightly due to the retention of water. ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, which can concentrate the blood and elevate serum osmolarity.

B. Urinary output: Increased production of ADH and aldosterone leads to decreased urinary output as the kidneys retain more water. This response helps conserve fluid volume and maintain hydration during times of stress.

C. Insensible fluid loss: Insensible fluid loss, which includes water lost through respiration and skin evaporation, is not directly affected by ADH and aldosterone. These hormones primarily influence renal water retention rather than insensible fluid loss.

D. Blood pressure: Although aldosterone can indirectly affect blood pressure by increasing sodium retention and therefore influencing fluid balance, its primary role is to regulate sodium and potassium levels. Blood pressure may be influenced by various factors, including stress, hydration status, and cardiovascular health, but it is not directly decreased as a result of increased ADH and aldosterone production.

A. Chronic:

Chronic pain is characterized by pain that persists beyond the expected time for tissue healing, typically lasting for more than 3 to 6 months.

In this scenario, the client's pain has been present for 1 year, indicating a prolonged duration consistent with chronic pain.

Documenting the pain as chronic provides important information about the nature and duration of the client's pain experience.

C. Intractable:

Intractable pain refers to pain that is difficult to manage or control despite various treatment modalities.

The client's report of intense, sharp pain persisting at a high level (rated 9 out of 10) despite opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acupuncture suggests that the pain is intractable.

Documenting the pain as intractable highlights the challenges associated with managing the client's pain and the need for additional interventions or referral to specialized pain management services.

D. Neuropathic:

Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and is often described as sharp, shooting, burning, or like an electric shock.

The client's description of their leg pain as "an intense sharp quality 'like an electric shock'" is consistent with neuropathic pain.

Documenting the pain as neuropathic helps identify the underlying pathophysiology of the pain and guides appropriate treatment strategies targeting neuropathic pain mechanisms.

B. Visceral:

Visceral pain originates from internal organs and is typically described as deep, dull, or cramping.

While the pain in this scenario is associated with spinal nerve injury, which can involve visceral pain pathways, the client's description of the pain as sharp and electric shock-like is more indicative of neuropathic pain rather than visceral pain.

Therefore, visceral pain may not be an appropriate descriptor for the client's pain experience in this case.

E. Cutaneous:

Cutaneous pain arises from the skin or subcutaneous tissues and is often described as superficial, sharp, or burning.

While the client's leg pain may involve cutaneous innervation, the description provided ("like an electric shock") suggests involvement of deeper structures and neuropathic pain mechanisms rather than purely cutaneous pain.

Therefore, cutaneous pain may not fully capture the nature of the client's pain experience in this scenario.