The client has been admitted with complaints of shortness of breath of two weeks duration and has received the nursing diagnosis Impaired Gas Exchange. Which admission laboratory result would support the choice of this diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increased hematocrit indicates an increase in the proportion of red blood cells to plasma, which can be a compensatory mechanism in response to decreased oxygenation or impaired gas exchange. Therefore, it supports the nursing diagnosis of Impaired Gas Exchange. Increased sedimentation rate and decreased BUN are not directly related to gas exchange, and increased blood sugar may be seen in conditions such as diabetes but is not specific to Impaired Gas Exchange.

The Client Has Been Admitted with Complaints of Shortness of Breath