Question

Which condition or manifestation in the client with a serum sodium level of 149 mEq/L indicates to the nurse that this electrolyte imbalance may be caused by excessive fluid loss?

A. The client has twitching muscle contractions in the lower extremities.
B. The client's skin is cool and clammy.
C. The urine specific gravity is increased.
D. The hematocrit is 52%.

Answer 1

Answer is C

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client has a serum sodium level of 149 mEq/L, an increased urine specific gravity indicates that the electrolyte imbalance may be caused by excessive fluid loss.Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of particles in the urine. When the body loses fluid, such as through sweating or diarrhea, the urine becomes more concentrated, leading to an increased specific gravity. This is because there is less water in the body to dilute the urine.

Answer 2

The condition or manifestation indicating excessive fluid loss in a client with a serum sodium level of 149 mEq/L is an increased c) urine specific gravity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition or manifestation in the client with a serum sodium level of 149 mEq/L that indicates excessive fluid loss is option C. The urine specific gravity is increased.

When there is excessive fluid loss, the body tries to conserve water by concentrating the urine. This results in an increased urine specific gravity, indicating dehydration. Twitching muscle contractions in the lower extremities (option A) may be associated with electrolyte imbalances, but it does not specifically indicate excessive fluid loss. Cool and clammy skin (option B) may be seen in conditions such as shock or excessive sweating, but it is not a specific manifestation of fluid loss. A hematocrit of 52% (option D) indicates increased blood cell concentration, which may be seen in dehydration, but it does not directly indicate fluid loss.