MEDizzy - The nurse caring for a child diagnosed with kidney disease

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The nurse caring for a child diagnosed with kidney disease is analyzing the child’s laboratory results and notes a sodium level of 148 mEq/L (148 mmol/L). On the basis of this finding, which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to note in the child?

ExplanationHypernatremia occurs when the sodium level is more than 145 mEq/L (145 mmol/L). Clinical manifestations include intense thirst, oliguria, agitation, restlessness, flushed skin, peripheral and pulmonary edema, dry and sticky mucous membranes, nausea, and vomiting. None of the remaining options are associated with the clinical manifestations of hypernatremia.