The nurse is reviewing a patient's laboratory values and notes that the serum albumin level is elevated. This finding is going to affect which of the following electrolyte levels?
1. total calcium
2. ionized calcium
3. potassium
4. sodium
2
Rationale: Ionized calcium is the calcium used in physiological activities such as neuromuscular activity. The concentration of ionized calcium is inversely proportional to the albumin concentration so the higher the serum albumin, the lower the plasma ionized calcium. This is the laboratory value which will be affected by the elevated serum albumin level and should be monitored in high acuity patients. The other laboratory values are not impacted by serum albumin levels.
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a. 4 months b. 6 months c. 10 months d. 14 months
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A) An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor B) A beta-blocker C) A calcium channel blocker D) A diuretic