Question

a nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in the resuscitation phase following a major burn. which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
hemoglobin 10 g/dl
sodium 132 meq/l
albumin 3.6 g/dl
potassium 4.0 meq/dl

Explanation:

In the resuscitation phase after a major burn, fluid shifts cause hyponatremia (low sodium). Normal sodium range is ~135 - 145 mEq/L, so 132 mEq/L is low and expected. Hemoglobin may be elevated initially (due to hemoconcentration), albumin may decrease later, and potassium is often elevated (cell lysis) initially, so 4.0 mEq/dL (normal) is less expected.

Answer:

B. Sodium 132 mEq/L