A nurse is providing teaching to a client who wants to stop smoking and has purchased a transdermal smoking patch. Which of the following information should the nurse provide?

Choice A Reason:
Serum osmolarity 310 mOsm/L is incorrect. Serum osmolarity measures the concentration of particles in the blood. While an elevated serum osmolarity might indicate dehydration, it's not a direct indicator of the effectiveness of treatment. It signifies the concentration of solutes in the blood rather than reflecting hydration improvement after treatment.
Choice B Reason:
Serum hematocrit 55%m is incorrect. Elevated hematocrit levels can occur in dehydration because of hemoconcentration (an increase in the concentration of red blood cells due to reduced fluid volume). However, similar to serum osmolarity, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't specifically reflect the effectiveness of treatment.
To determine effective treatment of dehydration, the nurse should consider the laboratory values that reflect hydration status:
Choice C Reason:
Urine specific gravity 1.020 is correct. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating the kidneys' ability to concentrate urine. A higher specific gravity (typically above 1.020) suggests more concentrated urine, which can indicate dehydration. As hydration improves, the urine becomes less concentrated, so a decrease in urine specific gravity toward the normal range (around 1.010-1.020) indicates effective rehydration and improved kidney function in retaining fluids.
Choice D Reason:
BUN 28 mg/dL is incorrect. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can also rise in dehydration due to reduced kidney perfusion. However, like serum osmolarity and hematocrit, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't directly show the effectiveness of treatment or the improvement in hydration status after treatment.

Choice A Reason:
Determine factors that led to the omission. Understanding why the dosage was missed is crucial. Was there a specific reason such as an interruption, conflicting priorities, or confusion in the medication schedule? Identifying these factors can help prevent future omissions and improve the medication administration process.
Choice B Reason:
File an incident report. If the missed dosage poses any potential risk or deviation from the prescribed treatment plan, it's important to document the incident through an incident report. This ensures transparency and allows the healthcare team to address and learn from the situation.
Choice C Reason:
Report the missed dosage to the client's provider. Informing the client's healthcare provider about the missed dosage is crucial. The provider can assess the situation and provide guidance on whether any adjustments or additional steps are necessary to ensure the client's well-being.
Choice D Reason:
Assess the client for adverse reactions. Monitoring the client for any adverse reactions or changes in their condition is essential after a missed dosage. This observation helps detect any potential effects of the missed medication and allows for prompt intervention if needed.