A nurse is caring for a male client who reports nausea and vomiting and is receiving IV fluid therapy. His blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is 32 mg/dL, creatinine 1.1 mg/dL, and hematocrit 50%. Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate?

A. Collect a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity: This intervention is indicated when infection is suspected, in cases of fever, dysuria, or cloudy urine. The lab values here suggest hemoconcentration rather than infection, so a culture would not address the client’s fluid balance problem. B. Continue routine care because the results are within the expected reference range: The results are not all within the expected range. The BUN of 32 mg/dL is elevated, and the hematocrit of 50% is high, both pointing toward dehydration. C. Decrease the IV fluid infusion rate and limit oral fluid intake: Reducing fluid intake would be inappropriate in this case, since the client shows signs of fluid volume deficit. Decreasing fluids would worsen dehydration, elevate lab abnormalities further, and compromise perfusion. D. Evaluate urine for amount and for specific gravity: Monitoring urine volume and specific gravity provides important information about hydration status and renal concentrating ability. Since the elevated BUN and hematocrit suggest dehydration, assessing urine helps guide fluid management and ensures appropriate therapy response.