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A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of four clients. The nurse should identify that which of the following clients is experiencing fluid overload?

A) Client with decreased hematocrit
B) Client with increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C) Client with elevated serum albumin
D) Client with decreased blood pressure

User Tova
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The client with decreased hematocrit is experiencing fluid overload as it indicates excess fluid is diluting the blood. Other options such as increased BUN, elevated serum albumin, and decreased blood pressure are usually associated with other conditions, not typically fluid overload.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client experiencing fluid overload is likely to present with a decreased hematocrit value. Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, and a decreased hematocrit can indicate that there is excess fluid diluting the blood, which is characteristic of fluid overload. Conditions such as congestive heart failure or kidney failure can lead to this. This is in contrast to cases where increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) often indicates dehydration or kidney dysfunction, elevated serum albumin could be a sign of dehydration, and decreased blood pressure can be a sign of various conditions including dehydration or shock.

Furthermore, fluid overload is often associated with increased blood pressure, which is not the case presented. In situations of fluid overload, there may also be increased sodium levels due to the retention of sodium and water.

User Mike Grimm
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