Final answer:
An elevated BUN typically indicates dehydration, as it can lead to hemoconcentration and reduced glomerular filtration rate, increasing BUN levels. Although BUN can be affected by liver dysfunction, a decrease in BUN is usually associated with liver issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should report an elevated BUN to the provider since it can indicate dehydration. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is an estimate of urea in the blood and serves as an indicator of kidney function. An increased BUN level, known as uremia, may originate from pre-renal, renal, or post-renal causes. Specifically, dehydration can lead to hemoconcentration, decreasing blood volume and reducing the glomerular filtration rate, resulting in increased BUN levels.
However, BUN levels can also be affected by other factors, such as liver dysfunction, but typically, a decrease in BUN is associated with liver disorders. Elevated BUN levels are more indicative of kidney-related issues rather than liver problems. In conditions like acute and chronic liver failure, other tests, such as ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), are more significantly altered.