A 62-year-old female patient has been hospitalized for 8 days ...

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A 62-year-old female patient has been hospitalized for 8 days with acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by dehydration. Which information will be most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. The creatinine level is 3.0 mg/dL.
  b. Urine output over an 8-hour period is 2500 mL.
  c. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is 67 mg/dL.
  d. The glomerular filtration rate is <30 ml>

Question 2

A 72-year-old patient with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is admitted with acute urinary retention and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels. Which prescribed therapy should the nurse implement first?
 
  a. Insert urethral catheter.
  b. Obtain renal ultrasound.
  c. Draw a complete blood count.
  d. Infuse normal saline at 50 mL/hour.

[emilymalinowski12]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The high urine output indicates a need to increase fluid intake to prevent hypovolemia. The other information is typical of AKI and will not require a change in therapy.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The patient's elevation in BUN is most likely associated with hydronephrosis caused by the acute urinary retention, so the insertion of a retention catheter is the first action to prevent ongoing postrenal failure for this patient. The other actions also are appropriate, but should be implemented after the retention catheter.

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Gracias!

[kjohnson]

Excellent