ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam 2019 Quizlet Related

Review ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam 2019 Quizlet related questions and content

An elderly client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is admitted to the hospital. Which laboratory test result should the nurse expect to find?

  • A. Elevated serum sodium level.
  • B. Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level.
  • C. Increased serum creatinine level.
  • D. Elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, increased serum creatinine level. In CHF, the heart's reduced pumping ability can lead to decreased blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in impaired kidney function. This can cause an elevation in serum creatinine level, indicating decreased kidney function. Elevated serum sodium level (A) is not typically seen in CHF, as patients often have fluid retention leading to dilutional hyponatremia. Decreased BNP level (B) is not expected in CHF, as BNP is released in response to increased ventricular stretching and volume overload. Elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (D) are not directly related to CHF; they may be seen in conditions like dehydration or chronic hypoxia, but not specifically in CHF.