A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has fluid volume deficit. The nurse would expect which of the following findings?

Choice A: Digoxin is correct because it is a medication that can cause visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, yellow-green halos, or photophobia, as a sign of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin toxicity can occur when the serum digoxin level exceeds the therapeutic range of 0.5 to 2 ng/mL. Digoxin toxicity can also cause nausea, vomiting, anorexia, confusion, bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The risk of digoxin toxicity is increased by hypokalemia, which can lower the threshold for digoxin action and enhance its effects on the cardiac muscle.

Choice B: Aspirin is incorrect because it is a medication that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, tinnitus, or allergic reactions, but not visual disturbances. Aspirin is an antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory medication that can be used to prevent thromboembolic events, such as stroke or myocardial infarction, in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Choice C: Potassium chloride is incorrect because it is a medication that can cause hyperkalemia, or high potassium level, if taken in excess or in combination with other potassium-sparing drugs, but not visual disturbances. Potassium chloride is a supplement that can be used to treat or prevent hypokalemia, or low potassium level, in patients who are taking diuretics or have other causes of potassium loss.

Choice D: Warfarin is incorrect because it is a medication that can cause bleeding, bruising, or hematoma formation, but not visual disturbances. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that can be used to prevent thromboembolic events, such as stroke or pulmonary embolism, in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Choice A: Hyperkalemia is not an imbalance that this patient is demonstrating, because this condition occurs when the blood potassium level is too high. This can happen in patients who have renal failure, acidosis, or excessive potassium intake. Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and paralysis.

Choice B: Hyponatremia is an imbalance that this patient is demonstrating, because this condition occurs when the blood sodium level is too low. This can happen in patients who have watery diarrhea, which causes the loss of sodium and water from the body. Hyponatremia can cause abdominal and muscle cramping, nausea, confusion, and seizures.

Choice C: Fluid volume excess is not an imbalance that this patient is demonstrating, because this condition occurs when the body retains more fluid than it excretes. This can happen in patients who have heart failure, kidney failure, or excessive fluid intake. Fluid volume excess can cause edema, distended neck veins, and crackles in the lungs.

Choice D: Hypernatremia is not an imbalance that this patient is demonstrating, because this condition occurs when the blood sodium level is too high. This can happen in patients who have dehydration, diabetes insipidus, or excessive sodium intake. Hypernatremia can cause thirst, dry mucous membranes, agitation, and coma.