Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment of Kidney and Urinary Function Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment of Kidney and Urinary Function related questions and content

A patients most recent laboratory findings indicate a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of58 \mathrm{~mL} / \mathrm{min}$. The nurse should recognize what implication of this diagnostic finding?

  • A. The patient is likely to have a decreased level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
  • B. The patient is at risk for hypokalemia.
  • C. The patient is likely to have irregular voiding patterns.
  • D. The patient is likely to have increased serum creatinine levels.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The adult GFR can vary from a normal of approximately125 \mathrm{~mL} / \mathrm{min}(1.67$ to2.0 \mathrm{~mL} / \mathrm{sec})$ to a high of200 \mathrm{~mL} / \mathrm{min}$. A low GFR is associated with increased levels of BUN, creatinine, and potassium.