In a severely anemic patient, which assessment findings would the nurse expect to find?

Choice A reason: Decreasing blood glucose levels are not an indicator of effective therapy in patients with acute adrenal insufficiency. In fact, hypoglycemia is a common symptom of Addison's Disease due to insufficient cortisol production, and effective therapy would aim to normalize blood glucose levels, not decrease them further.
Choice B reason: Increasing serum potassium levels would indicate worsening of the condition rather than improvement. Hyperkalemia is a hallmark of Addison's Disease due to aldosterone deficiency, and effective therapy should decrease serum potassium levels, not increase them.
Choice C reason: Increasing serum sodium levels would indicate that the therapy is effective for acute adrenal insufficiency. Addison's Disease is characterized by hyponatremia due to aldosterone deficiency, and effective treatment aims to normalize sodium levels in the blood. An increase in serum sodium levels indicates that the treatment is correcting the underlying electrolyte imbalance.
Choice D reason: Decreasing serum chloride levels are not a specific indicator of effective therapy for Addison's Disease. Chloride levels are generally less affected and not a primary marker for assessing treatment efficacy. The main focus should be on correcting sodium and potassium imbalances.

Choice A reason: Monitoring potassium levels is essential for various medical conditions, but it is not specifically used to evaluate the effects of therapy for acute pancreatitis. Potassium levels may be monitored to assess overall electrolyte balance and kidney function, but they do not provide direct information about pancreatic inflammation or damage.
Choice B reason: Monitoring lipase levels is crucial in evaluating the effects of therapy for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Lipase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas, and its levels rise significantly during an acute episode of pancreatitis. Elevated lipase levels are a sensitive and specific indicator of pancreatic inflammation and damage. By regularly measuring lipase levels, healthcare providers can assess the severity of the condition, monitor the patient's response to treatment, and make necessary adjustments to the therapeutic regimen.
Choice C reason: Calcium levels are not typically used to evaluate the effects of therapy for acute pancreatitis. Although hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) can be a risk factor for developing pancreatitis, monitoring calcium levels is not a standard method for assessing the effectiveness of treatment for the condition.
Choice D reason: Bilirubin levels are not directly related to the evaluation of therapy for acute pancreatitis. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin and is primarily used to assess liver function and diagnose conditions such as jaundice or liver disease. While liver function tests may be performed in patients with pancreatitis to rule out concurrent liver issues, bilirubin levels alone do not provide information about the effectiveness of therapy for pancreatitis.