Ambulatory Care Nurse Certification Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 400

What urine specific gravity would you expect from a patient suffering from dehydration?

1.010

1.02

1.04

In cases of dehydration, the body conserves water, leading to a higher concentration of solutes in the urine. This results in an elevated urine specific gravity, which reflects the kidneys' efforts to retain water and concentrate waste.

A urine specific gravity of 1.04 indicates a highly concentrated urine, aligning with what would be expected in a dehydrated patient. Normal specific gravity values typically range from 1.005 to 1.030, so a value of 1.04 is significantly higher, demonstrating the increased solute concentration due to decreased fluid intake or increased fluid loss. This physiological response is critical in regulating body hydration status, and thus, understanding urine specific gravity is essential for assessing a patient's hydration level accurately.

Other values of specific gravity like 1.010, 1.02, and 1.004 indicate either normal hydration status or dilution of urine, which would not be expected in a dehydrated individual.

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1.004

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