Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a group of ct. Which of the following ct should the nurse identify as experiencing dehydration?

A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
D. Hematocrit 42%

Answer 1

While the BUN level and hematocrit value provided do not indicate dehydration on their own, they can be part of a larger clinical picture that suggests dehydration when elevated.

Step-by-step explanation:

To identify a patient experiencing dehydration, it's important to assess various laboratory values. Sodium levels of 140 mEq/L and potassium levels of 4.2 mEq/L fall within the normal range and do not typically indicate dehydration.

A Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) of 15 mg/dL lies within the normal range of 8-20 mg/dL, suggesting normal renal function. A hematocrit level of 42% doesn't directly indicate dehydration without additional information, but in conjunction with other signs and symptoms, it could be a part of the clinical picture.

Laboratory values for BUN and hematocrit, when elevated, may hint at dehydration, but these values alone are not as definitive without being higher or paired with clinical assessment. Hence, with the data provided, none of the options clearly indicate that a patient is experiencing dehydration without considering clinical signs and additional laboratory results.