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

Results of a patients 24 -hour urine sample indicate osmolality of510 \mathrm{mOsm} / \mathrm{kg}$, which is within reference range. What conclusion can the nurse draw from this assessment finding?

  • A. The patients kidneys are capable of maintaining acidbase balance.
  • B. The patients kidneys reabsorb most of the potassium that the patient ingests.
  • C. The patients kidneys can produce sufficiently concentrated urine.
  • D. The patients kidneys are producing sufficient erythropoietin.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Osmolality is the most accurate measurement of the kidneys ability to dilute and concentrate urine. Osmolality is not a direct indicator of renal function as it relates to erythropoietin synthesis or maintenance of acidbase balance. It does not indicate the maintenance of healthy levels of potassium, the vast majority of which is excreted.