Reading and Quiz: Fluid and Electrolytes

A nurse is caring for a client with metastatic breast cancer who is extremely lethargic and very slow to respond to stimuli. The laboratory report indicates a serum calcium level of 12.0 mg/dl, a serum potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L, a serum chloride level of 101 mEq/L, and a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L. Based on this information, the nurse determines that the client's symptoms are most likely associated with which electrolyte imbalance? a. hypercalcemia b. hypocalcemia c. hypokalemia d. hyperkalemia

a. hypercalcemia

Client's diagnosed with hypervolemia should avoid sweet or dry food because it... a. increases the client's desire to consume fluid b. obstructs water elimination c. can lead to weight gain d. can cause dehydration

a. increases the client's desire to consume fluid

A 64-year-old client is brought in to the clinic with thirsty, dry, sticky mucous membranes, decreased urine output, fever, a rough tongue, and lethargy. Serum sodium level is above 145 mEq/L. Should the nurse start salt tablets when caring for this client? a. no, sodium intake should be restricted b. yes, along with hypotonic IV c. no, start with IV sodium chloride d. yes, this will correct the sodium deficit

a. no, sodium intake should be restricted

A client seeks medical attention for an acute onset of severe thirst, polyuria, muscle weakness, nausea, and bone pain. Which health history information will the nurse report to the health care provider? a. takes high doses of Vitamin D b. works as a customer service representative c. invest alcohol occasionally d. follows a high-fiber eating plan

a. takes high doses of Vitamin D

A client with hypervolemia asks the nurse by which mechanism the sodium-potassium pump will move the excess body fluid. What is the nurses best answer? a. passive elimination b. active transport c. passive osmosis d. free flow

b. active transport

A nurse is providing client teaching about the body's plasma pH and the client asks the nurse what is the chemical regulator of plasma pH. What is the best response by the nurse? a. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system b. bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system c. sodium-potassium pump d. ADH-ANP buffer system

b. bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system

The nurse is caring for a client with a serum sodium concentration of 113 mEq/L. The nurse should monitor the client for the development of which condition? a. nausea b. confusion c. hallucinations d. headache

b. confusion

A nurse is reviewing client lab work for a critical lab value. Which lab is called to the physician for additional orders? a. magnesium: 2 mEq/L b. potassium: 5.8 mEq/L c. sodium: 138 mEq/L d. calcium: 10 mEq/L

b. potassium: 5.8 mEq/L

Air embolism is a potential complication of IV therapy. The nurse should be alert to which clinical manifestation associated with air embolism? a. jaundice b. hypertension c. chest pain d. slow pulse

c. chest pain

A priority nursing intervention for a client with hypervolemia involves which of the following? a. encouraging the client to consume sodium-free foods b. establishing IV access with a large-bore catheter c. monitoring respiratory status for signs and symptoms of pulmonary complications d. drawing a blood sample for typing and cross-matching

c. monitoring respiratory status for signs and symptoms of pulmonary complications

The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client who has been admitted to the unit for a fluid volume imbalance. The nurse knows which of the following is the most common fluid imbalance in older adults? a. fluid volume excess b. hypovolemia c. hypervolemia d. dehydration

d. dehydration

A physician orders regular insulin 10 units IV along with 50 ml of dextrose 50% for a client with acute renal failure. What electrolyte imbalance is this client most likely experiencing? a. hyperglycemia b. hypercalcemia c. hypernatremia d. hyperkalemia

d. hyperkalemia

The process by which solutes move from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration is called _______

diffusion

A nurse monitoring a patient's potassium level knows tall, tented, "T" waves on an ECG are an indication of hypokalemia

false

A nurse should assess a patient with hypervolemia for indications of hypotension, increased hematocrit and hemoglobin, and oliguria

false

________ is the unintentional administration of a nonvesicant solution or medication into surrounding tissue

infiltration

Which condition would the nurse expect that a decrease in serum osmolality will occur?

kidney failure

_________ is the excretion of less than 400 mL or urine per day in an adult

oliguria

The major electrolytes in the extracellular fluid are _____ and chloride

sodium

Tonicity is fluid ______ or the effect of osmotic pressure of a solution with impermeable solutes exerts on cell size because of water movement across the cell membrane

tension

The cardinal feature of metabolic acidosis is a decrease in the serum bicarbonate level

true

Vital to the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance, the kidneys normally filter 180 L of plasma every day in the adult and excrete 1 to 2 L of urine.

true