The nurse reviews data from a new client's kidney function test. Which of the following standards of transplant nursing practice is the nurse primarily performing?

Choice A reason: In acute kidney injury (AKI), the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is expected to be elevated due to the kidneys' impaired ability to excrete urea, which is a waste product of protein metabolism. Normal BUN levels range from approximately 7 to 20 mg/dL.

Choice B reason: Hypercalcemia is not commonly associated with AKI. Instead, patients with AKI may experience hypocalcemia due to the kidneys' reduced ability to convert vitamin D to its active form, which is necessary for calcium absorption.

Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis is not a typical finding in AKI. More commonly, patients with AKI experience metabolic acidosis because the kidneys are unable to excrete acid effectively, leading to an accumulation of acid in the body.

Choice D reason: Hypokalemia is generally not expected in AKI. The condition is more often associated with hyperkalemia, as the impaired kidney function leads to a reduced excretion of potassium, which can accumulate to dangerous levels.

Choice A reason: While kidney infections can cause swelling, they typically do not lead to a significant increase in abdominal girth unless associated with severe obstruction or advanced kidney disease.

Choice B reason: In PKD, the kidneys can become significantly enlarged due to the growth of numerous cysts, which

can indeed lead to an increase in abdominal girth.

Choice C reason: While stones can cause blockage and swelling, they would not typically result in a generalized increase in abdominal girth unless there is an associated infection or severe obstruction.

Choice D reason: Inflammation can lead to fluid retention, but in the context of PKD, it is the cysts' growth that primarily contributes to increased kidney size and abdominal girth.