An older patient's BUN is 28 mg/dL and creatinine is 0.6 mg/dL. ...

[audie]

An older patient's BUN is 28 mg/dL and creatinine is 0.6 mg/dL. How does the nurse interpret these findings?
 
  a. Normal for all age groups
  b. Normal for older adults
  c. High for all age groups
  d. Low for older adults

Question 2

An 80-year-old patient has nausea and vomiting related to a gastrointestinal disorder. The nursing intervention most likely to help the patient is to
 
  a. offer sips of soda every 15 minutes until more is tolerated.
  b. encourage the patient to lie in a prone po-sition while nauseated.
  c. encourage the intake of high-calorie foods such as milkshakes.
  d. keep the patient on a nothing-by-mouth (NPO) order until the nausea subsides.

[bd5255]

Answer to Question 1

B
The older adult may have elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) because of age-related decreases in kidney function and a lowered creatinine resulting from decreased muscle mass.

Answer to Question 2

A
Nursing interventions for nausea and vomiting include many self-help measures, including drinking clear liquids, progressing from eating bland foods to solid foods, and small frequent feedings. If vomiting occurs, fluid replacement should be a priority. Sips of fluids every 15 mi-nutes until more can be tolerated may decrease episodes of dehydration. The position of the pa-tient is unimportant. The patient should avoid nonclear liquids such as milkshakes. If the patient cannot keep even sips down, he or she may be prescribed NPO status.