A nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results from a client who has prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse expect?
Hypernatremia
Hypophosphatemia
Hypercalcemia
Hyperkalemia
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Hypernatremia, which is an abnormally high level of sodium in the blood, is not typically associated with prerenal AKI. Prerenal AKI is often related to hypovolemia, which can lead to hyponatremia rather than hypernatremia.
Choice B reason: Hypophosphatemia, or low levels of phosphate in the blood, is not a common finding in prerenal AKI. Phosphate levels are more often affected in intrinsic renal diseases or refeeding syndrome.
Choice C reason: Hypercalcemia, or high levels of calcium in the blood, is not commonly seen in prerenal AKI. It is more frequently associated with malignancies or hyperparathyroidism.
Choice D reason: Hyperkalemia, which is an elevated level of potassium in the blood, is a common electrolyte imbalance in prerenal AKI. This occurs due to decreased renal perfusion and the kidney's reduced ability to excrete potassium.

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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: While kidney infections can cause swelling, they typically do not lead to a significant increase in abdominal girth unless associated with severe obstruction or advanced kidney disease.
Choice B reason: In PKD, the kidneys can become significantly enlarged due to the growth of numerous cysts, which
can indeed lead to an increase in abdominal girth.
Choice C reason: While stones can cause blockage and swelling, they would not typically result in a generalized increase in abdominal girth unless there is an associated infection or severe obstruction.
Choice D reason: Inflammation can lead to fluid retention, but in the context of PKD, it is the cysts' growth that primarily contributes to increased kidney size and abdominal girth.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: While a low-protein diet can help manage electrolyte imbalances, it is not specifically targeted at reducing the risk for hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is more directly managed by restricting foods high in potassium.
Choice B reason: A low-protein diet helps reduce the risk for uremia, which is the accumulation of waste products in the blood due to impaired kidney function. By consuming less protein, there is less urea and other nitrogenous wastes for the kidneys to filter, which can help delay the progression of kidney disease.
Choice C reason: Edema is related to fluid retention and not directly to protein intake. A low-protein diet does not specifically reduce the risk for edema unless it is associated with kidney dysfunction affecting fluid balance.
Choice D reason: A low-protein diet will indeed decrease the amount of nitrogenous waste in the blood because less protein breakdown means less waste for the kidneys to remove. However, this choice is less specific than Choice B, which directly addresses the condition of uremia that is a concern for patients with chronic kidney failure.
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