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10) A patient is admitted to the hospital for a fever of unknown origin. The nursing assessment reveals profuse diaphoresis, dry, sticky mucous membranes, weakness, disorientation, and a decreasing level of consciousness. Which electrolyte imbalance does this data support?

1. Hyperkalemia
2. Hypercalcemia
3. Hypernatremia
4. Hypermagnesmia

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The reported symptoms indicate hypernatremia, which involves high sodium levels often linked to dehydration from clinical conditions such as fever or excessive fluid loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's symptoms of profuse diaphoresis, dry sticky mucous membranes, weakness, disorientation, and a decreasing level of consciousness, in the presence of a fever, support the electrolyte imbalance of hypernatremia. Hypernatremia is characterized by a high level of sodium in the blood, which can occur due to dehydration from excessive fluid loss. This could be secondary to conditions leading to increased insensible water loss, such as fever or conditions causing a decrease in total body water, either from inadequate intake or excessive losses through vomiting, diarrhea, or diaphoresis as stated in the presented clinical scenarios.

The patient's symptoms of profuse diaphoresis, dry, sticky mucous membranes, weakness, disorientation, and a decreasing level of consciousness indicate a potential electrolyte imbalance. Based on the symptoms described, the data supports the electrolyte imbalance of hyponatremia, which is lower-than-normal levels of sodium in the blood. Hyponatremia can occur with conditions such as prolonged vomiting and diarrhea or chronic renal disease with acidosis.

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