Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Schizophrenia and Related Disorders: Nursing Care of Persons with Thought Disorders Related

Review Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Schizophrenia and Related Disorders: Nursing Care of Persons with Thought Disorders related questions and content

When assessing a client for possible disordered water balance, the nurse checks the client?s urine specific gravity. Which result would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing severe disordered water balance?

  • A. 1.02
  • B. 1.011
  • C. 1.005
  • D. 1.002
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A urine specific gravity of 1.002 (D) is extremely low, indicating overly dilute urine, consistent with severe disordered water balance (e.g., psychogenic polydipsia). Normal range is 1.010?1.030, so 1.020 (A) and 1.011 (B) are closer to normal, and 1.005 (C) is less severe.