Which assessment finding will the nurse expect for a patient with the following laboratory values: sodium 145 mEq/L, potassium 45 mq, calcium 45 mg/dL?

A) Cheyne-Stokes respirations:
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a cycle of gradually increasing and then decreasing respirations followed by a period of apnea. This pattern repeats in a regular cycle. It is commonly observed in clients with conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors. Cheyne-Stokes respirations can also occur during the dying process. The alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea result from fluctuations in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

B) Kussmaul respirations:
Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored breathing patterns often observed in clients with metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis. Unlike Cheyne-Stokes respirations, Kussmaul respirations do not involve periods of apnea.

C) Apneustic respirations:
Apneustic respirations are characterized by prolonged inspiratory gasps followed by insufficient expiration. This irregular breathing pattern typically indicates damage to the pons, a part of the brainstem involved in regulating breathing. Apneustic respirations are different from the pattern described in the scenario.

D) Stridor:
Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy respiratory sound heard on inspiration that indicates upper airway obstruction, such as from swelling, foreign body aspiration, or tumors. It is not associated with the alternating pattern of hyperventilation and apnea described in Cheyne-Stokes respirations.

A) Exposed bone: Exposed bone is a manifestation of a stage 4 pressure ulcer, where full-thickness skin loss occurs, exposing muscle, tendon, or bone. In stage 3 pressure ulcers, the skin loss extends into the subcutaneous tissue, but it does not reach the level of exposing underlying structures like bone.

B) Blood-filled blisters: Blood-filled blisters can occur in various stages of pressure ulcers, but they are not specific to stage 3. They may be present in stage 1 or stage 2 pressure ulcers as well.

C) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue: This is the correct manifestation of a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible necrosis or damage to the subcutaneous tissue. The ulcer may appear as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue.

D) Partial-thickness skin loss: Partial-thickness skin loss is characteristic of stage 2 pressure ulcers, where the ulcer extends through the epidermis and into the dermis but does not involve deeper tissue layers like the subcutaneous tissue.