The nurse is reviewing the admission blood work of a patient who is being treated for significant burns. The patient's serum potassium level is 7.1 mEq/L (normal 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L), which is primarily a result of:
A) Acute renal failure
B) Massive adrenal release of glucocorticoids
C) Myocardial stress
D) Cell destruction
Question 2
The nurse is documenting an hourly assessment of a patient who is being treated for full-thickness burns to his lower extremities. Assessment has revealed that the patient's abdominal girth is steadily increasing.
This is most likely attributable to what pathophysiological process?
A) Presence of free air under the patient's diaphragm
B) Third spacing
C) Bladder distention due to urinary retention
D) Paralytic ileus