Matteo is diagnosed with dehydration and underwent a series of tests. Which laboratory result would warrant immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
C. Serum glucose level of 120 mg/dl
D. Serum creatinine level of 0.6 mg/100 ml
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
A normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L. Hypokalemia is more prevalent than hyperkalemia, and most cases are mild. Severity is categorized as mild when the serum potassium level is 3 to 3.4 mmol/L, moderate when the serum potassium level is 2.5 to 3 mmol/L, and severe when the serum potassium level is less than 2.5 mmol/L.
Option A: A normal sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L. Among the electrolyte disorders, hyponatremia is the most frequent. Diagnosis is when the serum sodium level is less than 135 mmol/L. Hyponatremia has neurological manifestations. Patients may present with headache, confusion, nausea, delirium. Hypernatremia presents when the serum sodium levels are greater than145 mmol/L.
Option C: A normal non fasting glucose level is 85 to 140 mg/dl. Normal plasma glucose levels are defined as under 100 mg/dL during fasting and less than 140 mg/dL 2-hours postprandial. Additionally, glucose levels in healthy individuals can vary with age. Fasting plasma glucose in adults tends to increase with age starting in the third decade of life but does not increase significantly beyond 60 years of age. Normal HbA1c is lower than 5.7%.
Option D: A normal creatinine level is 0.2 to 0.8 mg/100 ml. Serum creatinine level for men with normal kidney function is approximately 0.6 to 1.2mg/dL and between 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. Alteration of serum creatinine values can occur as its generation is subject to influence by muscle function, activity, diet, and health status of the patient. Increased tubular secretion of creatinine in certain patients with dysfunctional kidneys could provide a false negative value. Elevated serum creatinine levels are also present in patients with muscular dystrophy paralysis, anemia, leukemia, and hyperthyroidism.