Adult Health 2 Exam 1 Related

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A client with chronic kidney disease is being evaluated for dialysis. Which laboratory value would be most concerning to the nurse?

  • A. Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
  • B. Potassium 6.2 mEq/L
  • C. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
  • D. BUN 50 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Potassium 6.2 mEq/L. In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys struggle to regulate potassium levels, leading to hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is dangerously high and can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dL may indicate anemia, which is common in chronic kidney disease but is not immediately life-threatening. Creatinine and BUN levels are markers of kidney function; although elevated levels indicate kidney impairment, they are not acutely life-threatening like severe hyperkalemia.