89. A client, who is malnourished, is admitted with a serum calcium of 7.5. A nurse should:
. Administer glucocorticoids, as ordered.
. Check urine for ketones.
. Check the serum albumin lab result.
. Administer Neutra-Phos, as ordered.
Test-Taking Tip
Total serum calcium alone does not provide sufficient data. Look for an option ("check") that collects more data before treatment. Eliminate the option with "check" that is not related to calcium (Answer 2).
Content Area: Adult Health, Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation/Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
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Answer 1 is incorrect because glucocorticoids facilitate calcium excretion. Answer 2 is incorrect because ketones in the urine indicate fat is being burned. This is not related to calcium level. Answer 3 is correct because most calcium is bound to plasma proteins such as albumin. As long as the physiologically important portion (the ionized, nonbound calcium) is normal, low total calcium does not need to be treated. Answer 4 is incorrect because calcium levels would fall with administration of phosphate.