The nurse is caring for a patient who has a heart rate of 98 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 82/58 mm Hg. The patient is lethargic, is complaining of muscle weakness, and has had gastroenteritis for several days
Based on this patient's vital signs, which sodium value would the nurse expect?
a. 126 mEq/L
b. 140 mEq/L
c. 145 mEq/L
d. 158 mEq/L
ANS: A
Patients who are hyponatremic will have tachycardia and hypotension along with lethargy and muscle weakness. The normal range for serum sodium is 135 mEq/L to 145 mEq/L; a serum sodium level of 126 mEq/L would be considered hyponatremic.
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