Question

A nurse is reviewing a client's fluid and electrolyte status. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A.BUN 15 mg/dL
B.Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
C.Sodium 143 mEq/L
D.Potassium 5.4 mEq/L

Answer 1

The nurse should report the Potassium level of 5.4 mEq/L to the provider as it indicates hyperkalemia, which is outside the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report the finding of Potassium 5.4 mEq/L to the provider. Normal serum potassium levels usually range between 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. A potassium level of 5.4 mEq/L is considered to be hyperkalemia, which may require medical attention to address potential underlying causes or to prevent possible complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.

The other values provided:

• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) 15 mg/dL
• Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
• Sodium 143 mEq/L

are within normal ranges and typically would not need immediate reporting to a healthcare provider. Reference values indicate normal BUN is between 8-20 mg/dL, serum creatinine is generally 0.6-1.2 mg/dL depending on sex, and normal sodium levels are approximately 135-145 mEq/L.