A postpartum client has been diagnosed with postpartum depression.
Which of the following symptoms would the nurse anticipate the client was exhibiting, aiding in the diagnosis?

Choice A rationale

Docusate sodium is a stool softener used to treat constipation and is not indicated for an acute ingestion of ferrous sulfate. Administering this medication would not address the toxic effects of iron overdose, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and metabolic acidosis.

Choice B rationale

Giving a child orange juice is not an appropriate action. While vitamin C in orange juice can enhance iron absorption, this is dangerous in an overdose situation. The priority is to prevent further systemic absorption of the toxic iron.

Choice C rationale

Inducing vomiting is no longer a recommended intervention for most ingestions, including iron, due to the risk of aspiration and the limited effectiveness in removing all the ingested substance. The corrosive nature of iron can also cause esophageal damage upon emesis.

Choice D rationale

Contacting the poison control center is the most appropriate action. Poison control experts can provide the most current, specific, and evidence-based instructions tailored to the child's weight, the amount ingested, and the type of product, ensuring safe management and timely care.

Choice A rationale

Increased intracranial pressure is not a characteristic lab finding in nephrotic syndrome. This syndrome is a kidney disorder characterized by significant proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia. Intracranial pressure is a neurological finding and is not directly related to the pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome.

Choice B rationale

Hypoalbuminemia is a characteristic finding in nephrotic syndrome. The significant loss of protein, specifically albumin, through the damaged glomeruli in the kidneys leads to a low serum albumin level (normal is 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL). This decreased plasma oncotic pressure is responsible for the massive edema seen in these patients.

Choice C rationale

Proteinuria is a defining feature of nephrotic syndrome. The glomerular basement membrane becomes highly permeable to plasma proteins, allowing large amounts of protein, primarily albumin, to leak into the urine. This is a key diagnostic criterion, typically exceeding 3.5 grams per 24 hours.

Choice D rationale

Glucosuria is not a characteristic lab finding of nephrotic syndrome. Glucosuria is the presence of glucose in the urine, which is a hallmark of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. While kidney function is affected in nephrotic syndrome, it does not typically lead to glucose leaking into the urine.

Choice E rationale

Hyperlipidemia is a characteristic finding in nephrotic syndrome. The liver compensates for the loss of albumin by increasing the synthesis of lipoproteins, leading to elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This is a secondary effect of the severe hypoalbuminemia.

Choice F rationale

An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific indicator of inflammation. While it may be elevated in nephrotic syndrome due to the underlying inflammatory process, it is not a specific or characteristic lab finding that defines the syndrome itself, unlike proteinuria or hypoalbuminemia.