HESI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam Related

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A nurse reviews a client's urinalysis report. Which finding does the nurse recognize as abnormal?

  • A. pH of 6.0
  • B. An absence of protein
  • C. The presence of ketones
  • D. Specific gravity of 1.018
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The presence of ketones in the urine is abnormal. Ketones in the urine may indicate a state of ketosis, which is commonly seen in uncontrolled diabetes, fasting, or a low-carbohydrate diet. A normal pH range of urine is 4.5 to 7.8, making a pH of 6.0 within the normal range. An absence of protein is a normal finding in urine, as proteinuria (presence of protein) is abnormal. A specific gravity of 1.018 falls within the normal range of 1.016 to 1.022. Therefore, the presence of ketones is the abnormal finding in this scenario.