The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained a fall with a fractured femur and was unable to summon help or receive healthcare treatment for 48 hours. On arrival at the emergency department, the patient's blood urea nitrogen level is 50 mg/dL. The serum creatinine level is 1.0 mg/dL. These findings would help substantiate a nursing diagnosis of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The elevated blood urea nitrogen level indicates a possible loss of blood volume or dehydration, which supports the nursing diagnosis of Deficient Fluid Volume. The normal serum creatinine level suggests that kidney function is not yet impaired, which rules out Impaired Nutrition. Anxiety related to the crisis and Acute Pain are also possible nursing diagnoses, but the laboratory values mentioned do not specifically support them.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Sustained a Fall