MEDizzy - A nurse is caring for a client who is hospitalized with

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Endocrine Management

A nurse is caring for a client who is hospitalized with adrenocortical insufficiency. The nurse reviews the client’s serum laboratory values and immediately notifies the physician. Which serum laboratory value most likely prompted the nurse to notify the physician?

ExplanationThe normal range for serum potassium is 3.8 to 5.0 mEq/L. Adrenocortical insufficiency causes excessive potassium reabsorption producing hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can result in dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest if not treated promptly. An acute infection can precipitate Addisonian crisis, but the white blood cell (WBC) count is on the high side of normal. Hypoglycemia and hyponatremia, not hyperglycemia nor hypernatremia, are associated with adrenocortical insufficiency. Both values are elevated, but not alarmingly. Normal serum glucose is 70–110 mg/dL and serum sodium is 136–146 mEq/L.