A 5-year-old boy was admitted due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. Physical exam shows that the child has poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. Blood tests were ordered and the nurse expects that

Explanation

• The patient is dehydrated, causing hemoconcentration and an increased hematocrit.

• The sodium level may increase or decrease, depending on the cause of the fluid volume deficit.

• BUN may be elevated if renal perfusion is reduced, but this is not always present with dehydration.

• A decreased WBC would not be initially suspected based on clinical findings.

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