Question

While caring for a patient with acute kidney injury, the nurse observes that the patient has hand tremors while extending the wrist. The patient's laboratory report shows a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 123 mg/dL. Which action by the patient does the nurse suspect as the cause of this symptom?

1) Eating protein-rich food
2) Eating sodium-rich food
3) Eating potassium-rich food
4) Eating carbohydrate-rich food

Answer 1

The hand tremors in a patient with a high BUN level are suggestive of uremic encephalopathy, likely worsened by eating protein-rich food which further increases blood urea levels in the setting of renal impairment.

Therefore, the correct answer is: 1) Eating protein-rich food.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with acute kidney injury presenting with hand tremors and a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 123 mg/dL is likely exhibiting symptoms of renal uremia. Hand tremors or asterixis can be a sign of a condition known as uremic encephalopathy, which is a result of high levels of toxins like urea in the blood due to kidney dysfunction.

Considering the options provided, eating a protein-rich diet can exacerbate uremia because proteins break down into ammonia, which is then converted into urea in the liver, thus potentially increasing BUN levels in patients with already compromised kidney function.

Therefore, the correct answer is: 1) Eating protein-rich food.