Exam 19: Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests

A patient has heart failure and takes spironolactone (aldactone).What diet selection from the menu shows that the patient needs more education?

A 66-year-old patient has a decreased calcium level.The nurse anticipates a(n):

A 71-year-old patient has a cholesterol level of 182 mg/dL.The nurse evaluates this as:

An older adult has been admitted for dehydration.Which laboratory value correlates with this condition?

An older patient's BUN is 28 mg/dL and creatinine is 0.6 mg/dL.How does the nurse interpret these findings?

A patient's oxygen saturation is 98%,but the patient reports shortness of breath with activity.What action by the nurse is best?

On assessing the laboratory data of an older adult patient,the nurse notes the serum potassium level is 5.3 mEq/L.Based on this information,the nurse:

A 91-year-old patient learns that his urine protein is 8.2 mg/100 mL.When asked to explain the significance of the result,the nurse replies:

The nurse suspects that an acute postoperative infectious process may be developing in your older adult patient.What abnormal finding best supports this suspicion?

A patient was admitted for heart failure,and over the past 3 days the patient's brain natriuretic peptide has decreased.What action by the nurse is best?

A patient has a low sodium level but normal blood osmolarity.What does the nurse understand about this condition?

The leukocyte count of an older adult patient is elevated.The nurse shows the best understanding of the effect of aging on body function when:

An older adult patient is experiencing symptoms commonly associated with hyperglycemia.Which laboratory test is most reliable for detecting hyperglycemia in older adults?

An older adult patient has an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA)level.The nurse shares with him that a diagnosis of prostate cancer would be confirmed with an analysis of his:

An older patient has a pressure ulcer that is resistant to healing despite aggressive therapy.The nurse suspects the need for a protein supplement based on a(n):

A patient takes digoxin (Lanoxin)for heart failure with atrial fibrillation.The patient reports yellow vision and nausea.The patient's digoxin level is 1.9 ng/mL.How does the nurse explain the situation to the patient?

The nurse explains to an older patient that the assessment of her thyroid health will require both a physical examination as well as laboratory test because:

An older female patient develops gout and says,"Why did I get this now?" What response by the nurse is best?

A patient has increased total iron binding capacity and transferrin levels.What action by the nurse is best?

The nurse is caring for an 88-year-old patient who was admitted to the long-term care facility after a recent conviction of driving while intoxicated.On reviewing the laboratory work and observing a folic acid level of 2 ng/ml,the nurse: