A postoperative patient, who has not had oral intake for several days and is receiving D5W at 125 mL/hr, complains of nausea and new onset of a persistent headache.Which laboratory value should a nurse relate to this clinical presentation?
A)Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL
B)Serum potassium level 5.2 mEq/L
C)Serum sodium 125 mEq/L
D)Urine sodium 122 mEq/24 hr

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are consistent with hyponatremia, which is an electrolyte disturbance characterized by low serum sodium levels. The normal range for serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L, so a level of 125 mEq/L is indicative of hyponatremia. Symptoms can include nausea, headaches, and altered mental status. This could be due to the patient's lack of oral intake and receiving only D5W, which is a hypotonic solution that can cause dilution of serum sodium levels.

A Postoperative Patient, Who Has Not Had Oral Intake for Several