Put your thinking caps on for this one! A 27 year old male has a severe kidney obstruction leading to removal of the affected kidney. Which of the following would the nurse expect to occur:

A. Atrophy of the remaining kidney: In cases of unilateral kidney loss, the remaining kidney typically does not atrophy but instead adapts to compensate for the lost function. Atrophy would be unlikely unless there is an underlying disease affecting the remaining kidney.

B. Compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney: When one kidney is removed or nonfunctional, the remaining kidney often undergoes compensatory hypertrophy, increasing in size and function to handle the body's metabolic needs. This process helps maintain adequate renal function despite loss of one kidney.

C. Renal failure: While loss of one kidney reduces overall renal mass, a healthy remaining kidney usually compensates sufficiently to prevent renal failure. Renal failure is unlikely unless the remaining kidney has preexisting damage or disease.

D. Dysplasia in the remaining kidney: Dysplasia refers to abnormal development or growth of tissue, typically congenital. It is not an expected response to removal of the opposite kidney. The remaining kidney usually develops normally unless affected by a congenital abnormality.

• Heart rate: 92/min: Improved from 109/min on Day 1, showing better autonomic control.
  A heart rate within normal range indicates reduced stress or inflammation. This suggests pain management and fluid status have improved.

• Respiratory rate: 20/min: Improved from 26/min, now within normal limits. This reflects decreased respiratory effort and better oxygenation. The labored breathing on Day 1 has also resolved.

• Oxygen saturation: 96% on room air: Increased from 93% on Day 1, indicating improved gas exchange. No supplemental oxygen was required, suggesting stable pulmonary function.
  This is a positive sign especially given the initial diminished breath sounds.

• Client rates pain as 3/10 after medication: The pain is down from 8/10 on Day 1, showing effective analgesia. Pain control improves patient comfort and respiratory status. The pain was likely contributing to tachypnea and lethargy on Day 1.

• Respirations even and unlabored; chest clear on auscultation: Improved from "rapid, labored" with "diminished" breath sounds on day 1 which suggests resolution of respiratory compromise and pain-related restriction. Likely associated with improved oxygen saturation and decreased fatigue..

• Passing flatus: This indicates return of peristalsis and some bowel activity. These findings were not present on Day 1, showing progress. Flatus passage often precedes return to full bowel function.

• Urinating without difficulty; urine clear yellow: These findings indicate stable renal function, no hematuria or concentration issues. The findings were maintained across both days, with no signs of obstruction or dehydration which uggests effective fluid balance and kidney perfusion.

Rationale for Incorrect Findings:

• Bowel sounds hypoactive in all quadrants: No change from Day 1, suggests slow GI recovery. Hypoactivity may reflect paralytic ileus or continued inflammation.
  Despite passage of flatus, bowel function remains impaired.

• Client vomiting brown liquid and reports continuing nausea: This is a new symptom on Day 2, worsening GI symptoms despite earlier improvement. Brown emesis may suggest delayed gastric emptying or possible GI bleeding.

• Reports extreme fatigue: Fatigue is more severe than Day 1's lethargy and may reflect nutritional deficits, systemic inflammation, or sleep disruption. Despite improved pain and respiratory status, overall energy is low.