An older adult client's skin feels warm and the client has a temperature of 101.2° F (38.4° C). The nurse further assesses that the client has a reddened tongue, dry mucous membranes, and inelastic skin turgor. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?

Protein.

Hemoglobin.

White blood cell count

Sodium.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   While protein levels are important in assessing overall nutritional status and can indicate conditions like malnutrition or liver disease, they are not the primary focus in the context of fever, dry mucous membranes, and skin turgor changes.
B.   Hemoglobin levels are crucial for assessing anemia and overall oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Although dehydration can potentially concentrate hemoglobin levels, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor in the context of the acute symptoms
C.   The white blood cell count is important for diagnosing infections and understanding the body's response to illness. However, in this scenario, the primary concern is dehydration, which is not directly measured by WBC count. While an elevated WBC could indicate an infection contributing to the fever, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
D.   Sodium is a key electrolyte that can be significantly affected by dehydration. Dry mucous membranes, inelastic skin turgor, and a fever suggest potential fluid loss and dehydration, which can lead to imbalances in sodium levels. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial because dehydration often results in elevated sodium concentrations (hypernatremia), which can have serious implications for the client’s health.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. While documenting the color and clarity of the urine is important for assessing the client's urinary output and potential issues, it is not the immediate next step in the catheter insertion process. This step typically comes after the catheter is fully inserted and secured.
B. Once urine flow is observed, the next step is to inflate the balloon of the indwelling catheter to secure it in place within the bladder. This ensures the catheter remains correctly positioned and does not move out of the bladder, which is crucial for effective drainage and preventing accidental dislodgement.
C. Asking the client to breathe deeply and exhale does not impact the catheterization process and is not related to the next immediate step after observing urine flow. This action might be helpful in other contexts, such as reducing anxiety or discomfort, but it does not address the technical steps required for catheter insertion.
D. If urine flow is observed in the catheter, it indicates that the catheter is already in the bladder. Inserting the catheter an additional inch is unnecessary and could potentially cause trauma or discomfort. Proper catheter placement is confirmed by the observation of urine flow, and additional insertion is not required.

A. Notify the charge nurse of the problem. B. Notify the healthcare provider of the situation. C. Discard the urine and start another 24-hour period. D. Add another hour to the urine collection period.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. While it’s important to inform the charge nurse of any issues with the collection process, this action alone does not address the core problem of the collection being compromised. The charge nurse may offer guidance or assist in deciding the next steps, but the primary focus should be on correcting the collection process to ensure accurate results.
B. Notifying the healthcare provider can be important, especially if the results of the 24-hour urine collection are critical to the client’s diagnosis or treatment plan. However, it is usually more efficient to first address the issue of the collection itself and then inform the healthcare provider about the results of these corrective actions.
C. This is the most appropriate action when a mistake occurs in the collection process, such as flushing a voided sample. The integrity of the collection is compromised, and starting a new 24-hour collection period ensures that all samples are accounted for and that the results will be accurate.
D. Adding extra time to the urine collection period does not compensate for the missed sample. The accuracy of the collection depends on having all urine samples from the full 24-hour period.

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An older adult client's skin feels warm and the client has a temperature of 101.2° F (38.4° C). The nurse further assesses that the client has a reddened tongue, dry mucous membranes, and inelastic skin turgor. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While inserting an indwelling urinary catheter into a female client, the nurse observes urine flow in the tubing. Which action should be taken next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client started a 24-hour urine collection several hours ago. The client tells the nurse that the last voiding was accidentally flushed instead of saved in the container. Which intervention should the nurse initiate?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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