When the nurse is evaluating lab data for a client 18-24 hours after a major thermal burn, the expected physiological changes would include which of the following?

Question

Options

• AElevated serum sodium
• BElevated serum calcium
• CElevated serum protein
• DElevated hematocrit

• A
  8% (2)
• B
  4% (1)
• C
  16% (4)
• D
  72% (18)

Explanation

(A) Sodium enters the edema fluid in the burned area, lowering the sodium content of the vascular fluid. Hyponatremia may continue for days to several weeks because of sodium loss to edema, sodium shifting into the cells, and later, diuresis. (B) Hypocalcemia occurs because of calcium loss to edema fluid at the burned site (third space (C) Protein loss occurs at the burn site owing to increased capillary permeability. Serum protein levels remain low until healing occurs. (D) Hematocrit level is elevated owing to hemoconcentration from hypovolemia. Anemia is present in the postburn stage owing to blood loss and hemolysis, but it cannot be assessed until the client is adequately hydrated.

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