A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving enteral tube feeding and has a new prescription to dilute the formula.

The nurse recognizes this is being done to resolve which of the following conditions?

Choice A rationale

A specific gravity of 1.036 is higher than the normal range of 1.005 to 1.030345. This could indicate dehydration or other conditions that cause the urine to be more concentrated. This finding should prompt the nurse to follow up.

Choice B rationale

A pH of 6.4 is within the normal range for urine, which is typically between 4.6 and 8.03. Therefore, this finding would not necessarily require follow-up.

Choice C rationale

The presence of proteinuria (protein in the urine) is abnormal and could indicate kidney disease or other serious health conditions. This finding should prompt the nurse to follow up.

Choice D rationale

The presence of hematuria (blood in the urine) can be a sign of several conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or bladder infections. However, without more information, it’s not clear whether this finding alone should prompt the nurse to follow up.

Choice A rationale

Excessive thirst and urination are symptoms of hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia. Hyperglycemia could occur if the TPN solution was infusing too quickly, but it would not be a result of the infusion pump not working.

Choice B rationale

Shakiness and diaphoresis are manifestations of hypoglycemia. When a sudden interruption in the infusion of TPN occurs, the patient is at risk for hypoglycemia.

Choice C rationale

Fever and chills are symptoms of infection, not a direct result of the TPN infusion stopping.

Choice D rationale

Hypertension and crackles in the lungs are signs of fluid overload, not hypoglycemia. These symptoms would not be expected if the TPN infusion stopped.