Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has sustained severe burns to 50% of the body. the nurse is aware that fluid shifts during the first week of the acute phase of a burn injury cause massive cell destruction. what should the nurse report immediately when reviewing laboratory studies?

Answer 1

Fluid shift from vascular to interstitial can cause the water in blood is decreased, causing the other component level in blood seems to be increased(hemoconcentration).
In this case, hematocrit is one of the marker in laboratory that can be used for assessing hemoconcentration.