A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration due to diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

BUN 18 mg/dL

Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL

Urine output 12 mL/hr

Urine specific gravity 1.020

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. BUN 18 mg/dL is incorrect. A BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level of 18 mg/dL is within the normal range (typically 7–20 mg/dL) and does not indicate immediate concern in this context. An elevated BUN could indicate dehydration, but this level is not significantly elevated.

B. Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL is incorrect. Serum creatinine levels are also within normal limits for most adults, which is around 0.6–1.2 mg/dL, and this finding does not indicate a problem.

C. Urine output 12 mL/hr is correct. A urine output of 12 mL/hr is low and indicates oliguria, which is a concern in the context of dehydration. The normal urine output for an adult is at least 30 mL/hr. A decrease in urine output suggests that the kidneys are not receiving adequate blood flow, which could indicate severe dehydration and requires immediate attention from the provider.

D. Urine specific gravity 1.020 is incorrect. Urine specific gravity of 1.020 is within the normal range (typically 1.005–1.030) and indicates that the kidneys are concentrating urine appropriately, which is not a concerning finding in this case.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily is correct. Ascites is characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Measuring abdominal girth regularly is important for monitoring changes in the amount of fluid retention and for assessing the progression of ascites. It is a standard nursing intervention for clients with this condition.

B. Keep the client's daily protein intake below 0.8 g/kg is incorrect. Protein intake should not be restricted to this extent. In fact, adequate protein is important for liver health and to prevent muscle wasting in clients with cirrhosis, unless there are complications such as hepatic encephalopathy.

C. Restrict the client's sodium intake to 3 g per day is incorrect. Sodium intake is typically restricted more severely for clients with ascites. The general recommendation is often less than 2 g per day to help prevent fluid retention and reduce the burden on the heart and kidneys.

D. Position the client supine with legs elevated is incorrect. While elevating the legs can help reduce edema in the legs, positioning the client supine does not provide the same benefit for ascites. Side-lying with legs elevated or sitting with the legs elevated may be more beneficial.

A. A client who has a sodium level of 140 mEq/L after one episode of diarrhea. B. A client who is 3 days postoperative following a hip arthroplasty and has a warm, red area on his left calf. C. A client who has atrial fibrillation and an INR of 4. D. A client who reports chest pain after ambulating.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "A client who has a sodium level of 140 mEq/L after one episode of diarrhea." This is the correct choice. A sodium level of 140 mEq/L is within the normal range, and the client has had only one episode of diarrhea, suggesting that they are stable and could be safely discharged.

B. "A client who is 3 days postoperative following a hip arthroplasty and has a warm, red area on his left calf." This is a concern. The warm, red area on the calf could indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or infection, both of which require further evaluation and management.

C. "A client who has atrial fibrillation and an INR of 4." This is concerning. An INR of 4 indicates an increased risk of bleeding, which requires closer monitoring and potentially adjusting the anticoagulation therapy before discharge.

D. "A client who reports chest pain after ambulating." This is an urgent issue that needs immediate attention. Chest pain could indicate a serious cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction, and the client should not be discharged until further evaluation is performed.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration due to diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

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