Which laboratory finding is most important for a nurse to monitor in a client with suspected dehydration?

Monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is crucial in a client with suspected dehydration because these values provide insight into the client's fluid status.

In cases of dehydration, the concentration of red blood cells (as measured by hemoglobin and hematocrit) typically increases due to the reduction in plasma volume. This phenomenon, known as hemoconcentration, indicates that the body is experiencing fluid loss. Elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can signal dehydration and help gauge the severity of the patient’s condition, guiding treatment decisions, such as fluid replacement therapy.

While other laboratory findings, such as serum creatinine, glucose levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), may also provide important information regarding a client’s overall health or the presence of underlying conditions, they are not as directly indicative of dehydration status as hemoglobin and hematocrit. Serum creatinine can indicate renal function but does not specifically reflect hydration status. Glucose levels are primarily relevant in the context of diabetes management and have a different clinical focus. ESR is more useful for indicating inflammation rather than assessing hydration levels. Therefore, hemoglobin and hematocrit are the most crucial parameters to monitor in this scenario.