Question

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a potassium level of \(3.9 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\), a blood glucose level of \(98 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\), a serum calcium level of \(10.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\), and a blood urea nitrogen level of \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\). Which of these values should be reported to the physician immediately? A. The potassium level of \(3.9 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\) B. The serum calcium level of \(10.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) C. The blood glucose level of \(98 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) D. The blood urea nitrogen level of \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\)

Short answer

A) Potassium: \(3.9 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\) B) Blood glucose: \(98 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) C) Serum calcium: \(10.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) D) Blood urea nitrogen: \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) Answer: D) Blood urea nitrogen: \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\)

Step-by-step solution

List the normal ranges for each value

The normal ranges for the mentioned values are as follows: - Potassium: \(3.5 - 5.0 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\) - Blood glucose: \(70 - 100 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) (fasting) or \(100 - 140 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) (postprandial) - Serum calcium: \(8.6 - 10.2 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) - Blood urea nitrogen: \(7 - 20 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\)

Compare the given values to the normal ranges

Given values and their respective normal ranges: - Potassium: \(3.9 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\) (within the normal range of \(3.5 - 5.0 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}\)) - Blood glucose: \(98 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) (within the normal range of \(70 - 100 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) fasting or \(100 - 140 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) postprandial) - Serum calcium: \(10.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) (within the normal range of \(8.6 - 10.2 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\)) - Blood urea nitrogen: \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\) (outside the normal range of \(7 - 20 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\))

Determine which value should be reported to the physician

Among the given values, only the blood urea nitrogen level is outside the normal range, being much higher than the normal range of \(7 - 20 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\). Therefore, it should be reported to the physician immediately.

Choose the correct answer

The correct answer is the blood urea nitrogen level of \(30 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}\), which corresponds to option D.