A urinalysis shows a specific gravity of 1.035. Which action should the nurse implement?

A urinalysis shows a specific gravity of 1.035. Which action should the nurse implement?

• A. Instruct client to increase oral fluids to a minimum of 2,400 mL/day.
• B. Explain that the urine finding is normal.
• C. Tell client to report reduced urine output less than 1,000 mL/day.
• D. Recommend the use of salt with meals.

Answer: (A)

Urine specific gravity reflects how concentrated or dilute the urine is, which tells you about the body’s hydration status. A value around 1.035 is higher than normal, meaning the urine is quite concentrated. That concentration typically points to dehydration or insufficient fluid intake. Because the goal is to correct dehydration, the best nurse action is to promote hydration by increasing oral fluid intake to help dilute the urine and bring the specific gravity toward a normal range. Establishing a substantial daily fluid intake supports restoring adequate hydration and improves urine concentration. Why the other ideas aren’t as appropriate: simply telling the patient that the finding is normal would be incorrect given the elevated value. Suggesting the patient report reduced urine output doesn’t address the dehydration suggested by the concentrated urine. Recommending the use of salt with meals doesn’t correct the underlying fluid deficit and can disrupt electrolyte balance, not resolve the concentration issue.

Urine specific gravity reflects how concentrated or dilute the urine is, which tells you about the body’s hydration status. A value around 1.035 is higher than normal, meaning the urine is quite concentrated. That concentration typically points to dehydration or insufficient fluid intake.

Because the goal is to correct dehydration, the best nurse action is to promote hydration by increasing oral fluid intake to help dilute the urine and bring the specific gravity toward a normal range. Establishing a substantial daily fluid intake supports restoring adequate hydration and improves urine concentration.

Why the other ideas aren’t as appropriate: simply telling the patient that the finding is normal would be incorrect given the elevated value. Suggesting the patient report reduced urine output doesn’t address the dehydration suggested by the concentrated urine. Recommending the use of salt with meals doesn’t correct the underlying fluid deficit and can disrupt electrolyte balance, not resolve the concentration issue.