A nurse is teaching a class about administering IV fluids to treat dehydration. The nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following laboratory values indicates effective treatment of dehydration?
Serum osmolarity 310 mOsm/L
Serum hematocrit 55%
Urine specific gravity 1.020
BUN 28 mg/dL
The Correct Answer is C
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Oral is incorrect. Epoetin alfa is not typically administered orally because it would be broken down by digestive enzymes and not absorbed effectively from the gastrointestinal tract.
Choice B Reason:
Intravenous is correct. Epoetin alfa is a medication used to stimulate red blood cell production and is commonly administered intravenously. This route allows for rapid and efficient absorption of the medication into the bloodstream, enabling it to exert its effects effectively.
Choice C Reason:
Inhalation is incorrect. Inhalation is not a route used for epoetin alfa. This medication is intended for systemic effects rather than local effects in the respiratory system.
Choice D Reason:
Transdermal is incorrect. Transdermal administration involves absorption through the skin and is not suitable for epoetin alfa, which needs rapid and direct access to the bloodstream for its action on red blood cell production.
Correct Answer is D
No explanation
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