Practice Quiz

CCNS Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

Category - Pediatrics

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A child with glomerulonephritis has a urinary output that decreases to 100 mL in 24 hours. The patient’s creatinine clearance is 60 mL per minute and there is an irregular apical pulse. What would be the most significant laboratory finding after a diagnosis of acute renal failure is made?
  1. Serum creatinine of 1.3 mg/dL
  2. Serum potassium of 6.3 mEq/L
  3. Serum bilirubin of 0.5 mg/dL
  4. Serum sodium of 128 mEq/L
Explanation
Answer - B - The most significant laboratory finding after a diagnosis of acute renal failure is made is serum potassium of 6.3 mEq/L. High potassium levels can cause cardiac dysrhythmias; the normal range for serum potassium in a child is 3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L (others would say 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L). There will be hyponatremia.
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