A nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of sepsis who is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. To reduce the risk of developing a physiologic stress ulcer, the nurse should anticipate an order to administer which medication?

A. Elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can occur in chronic kidney disease, as the kidneys struggle to excrete potassium. However, hyperkalemia does not typically cause visible crystals on the skin. It is more associated with cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness rather than skin manifestations.
B. Sodium imbalance is common in chronic kidney disease, often leading to fluid retention and hypertension. However, excess sodium does not result in crystal formation on the skin. Sodium issues are more related to fluid balance and blood pressure, not external crystalline deposits.
C. Urea is a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins and is normally excreted by the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease, urea accumulates in the blood (uremia) because the kidneys cannot effectively filter it out. Urea can be deposited on the skin and form crystals, leading to a condition known as "uremic frost." This is often observed on the forehead or other areas of the skin and is a direct result of excess urea in the body.

D. Creatinine is another waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels indicate impaired kidney function, but creatinine itself does not form visible crystals on the skin. Elevated creatinine levels are primarily used as an indicator of kidney function rather than a cause of external skin manifestations.

A creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL is within the upper range of normal but may be slightly elevated depending on the baseline level pre-transplant and individual patient factors. For a client 3 months post- transplant, this level could indicate stable kidney function or a mild increase but is not necessarily indicative of a significant complication.
B.A 24-hour urine output of 1,800 mL is within the normal range for adults (about 1,000 to 2,000 mL per day). This level of urine output suggests that the transplanted kidney is functioning adequately in terms of urine production.
C. An elevated white blood cell count of 13,500/mm³ could indicate an infection or inflammation. This finding is relevant in the context of post-transplant care because patients are at increased risk for infections due to immunosuppressive therapy and the surgical procedure. An elevated WBC count could also suggest an acute rejection episode, as rejection can cause inflammation and an immune response.
D. A BUN level of 18 mg/dL is within the normal range but on the higher end. It might suggest some level of kidney impairment, but it is not necessarily indicative of a severe complication on its own.