A nurse is reviewing the BUN and creatinine levels of an older adult patient with chronic kidney disease. The nurse should anticipate which of the following findings?
BUN 8 mg/dL and creatinine 0.7 mg/dL
BUN 45 mg/dL and creatinine 8 mg/dL
BUN 23 mg/dL and creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
BUN 10 mg/dL and creatinine 0.3 mg/dL
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
A BUN level of 8 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 0.7 mg/dL are within normal ranges for a healthy individual without kidney disease. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), we would expect these values to be elevated due to the kidneys' reduced ability to filter waste products from the blood.
Choice B reason:
A BUN level of 45 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 8 mg/dL are significantly higher than the normal range, which is consistent with impaired kidney function seen in CKD. These elevated levels indicate that the kidneys are not effectively filtering urea and creatinine from the blood, leading to their accumulation.
Choice C reason:
A BUN level of 23 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL could be seen in the early stages of CKD. While the creatinine level is within the normal range, the BUN level is slightly elevated, which may suggest a decline in kidney function.
Choice D reason:
A BUN level of 10 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 0.3 mg/dL are both below the normal range. This is an unlikely finding for a patient with CKD, as kidney impairment typically leads to increased levels of these substances in the blood.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Urine specific gravity is a measure of urine concentration. The normal range is typically from 1.005 to 1.030. A specific gravity of 1.035 indicates very concentrated urine, which could be due to dehydration or other factors, but it is not specifically indicative of chronic glomerulonephritis.
Choice B reason:
Serum creatinine is a waste product from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. Normal levels are approximately 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for males. A level of 7 mg/dL is significantly elevated and can indicate severe kidney dysfunction, which is consistent with chronic glomerulonephritis. This condition can lead to a decreased ability of the kidneys to filter waste, causing an accumulation of creatinine in the blood.
Choice C reason:
Creatinine clearance is a test that measures how well creatinine is removed from the blood by the kidneys. The normal range is about 95 to 120 mL/min. A clearance of 120 mL/min is within the normal range and would not typically be expected in a client with chronic glomerulonephritis, as this condition usually results in reduced kidney function.
Choice D reason:
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is another waste product filtered by the kidneys. Normal BUN levels are between 7 and 20 mg/dL. A BUN of 15 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not necessarily indicate kidney dysfunction from chronic glomerulonephritis.

Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Determining the client's understanding of the procedure is important as it ensures informed consent and can help alleviate anxiety. However, while this is a necessary part of preoperative care, it may not be the immediate priority.
Choice B reason:
Establishing the need for psychological support is a valuable aspect of holistic care. It addresses the client's emotional well-being and can improve overall satisfaction with the surgical experience. Nonetheless, it is not the primary focus of the preoperative assessment.
Choice C reason:
Identifying possible surgical risks is the priority in a preoperative assessment. This includes evaluating the client's medical history, current health status, and any factors that could increase the risk of complications during or after surgery. A thorough risk assessment is crucial for planning safe surgical care and for making decisions about proceeding with the surgery.
Choice D reason:
Recognizing resources needed postoperatively is part of discharge planning and is essential for ensuring continuity of care. While it is an important consideration, it is not the immediate priority during the preoperative assessment.