Question

Typically, a client's urine specific gravity is greater than _______ in the presence of fluid-volume deficit.

a) 1.005
b) 1.010
c) 1.020
d) 1.030

Answer 1

A client's urine specific gravity typically exceeds 1.020 when there is a presence of fluid-volume deficit, indicating an increased concentration of solutes due to conditions like dehydration, diarrhea, or infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Typically, a client's urine specific gravity is greater than 1.020 in the presence of fluid-volume deficit. Specific gravity is a measure of the quantity of solutes per unit volume of a solution, which in the case of urine, indicates its concentration level. The specific gravity of urine can signal various medical conditions. A higher specific gravity, which could indicate dehydration, is often seen with a fluid-volume deficit as the body tries to conserve water.

In the context of a fluid-volume deficit, an increased number of dissolved solutes in the urine results in a specific gravity greater than normal. The density of urine varies between 1.0050 g/mL to 1.030 g/mL, and a measurement above 1.020 typically suggests a decreased fluid volume in the body. Conditions such as dehydration, diarrhea, or infection can lead to an increased specific gravity, while medical issues like renal failure may result in decreased specific gravity.