MEDSURG1 Chapter 10: Principles of Fluid and Electrolytes PREPU

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The client is being treated for a serum potassium concentration of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L). Which statement made by the client indicates the need for further teaching?

"I can use laxatives and enemas but only once a week."

Which solution is hypotonic?

0.45% NaCl

The weight of a client with congestive heart failure is monitored daily and entered into the medical record. In a 24-hour period, the client's weight increased by 2 lb. How much fluid is this client retaining?

1 L

A client has chronic hyponatremia, which requires weekly laboratory monitoring to prevent the client lapsing into convulsions or a coma. What is the level of serum sodium at which a client can experience these side effects?

114 mEq/L

The nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit (ICU) following a near-drowning event in saltwater. The client is restless, lethargic, and demonstrating tremors. Additional assessment findings include swollen and dry tongue, flushed skin, and peripheral edema. The nurse anticipates that the client's serum sodium value would be

155 mEq/L (155 mmol/L)

A client weighing 160.2 pounds (72.7 kg), who has been diagnosed with hypovolemia, is weighed every day. The health care provider asked to be notified if the client loses 1,000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. What weight would be consistent with this amount of fluid loss?

158.0 lbs (71.7 kg)

A client who is semiconscious presents with restlessness and weakness. The nurse assesses a dry, swollen tongue; body temperature of 99.3 °F; and a urine specific gravity of 1.020. What is the most likely serum sodium value for this client?

165 mEq/L

A patient's serum sodium concentration is within the normal range. What should the nurse estimate the serum osmolality to be?

275-300 mOsm/kg

A nurse can estimate serum osmolality at the bedside by using a formula. A patient who has a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L would have a serum osmolality of:

280 mOsm/kg.

The nurse is caring for four clients on a medical unit. The nurse is most correct to review which client's laboratory reports first for an electrolyte imbalance?

A 52-year-old with diarrhea

The Emergency Department (ED) nurse is caring for a client with a possible acid-base imbalance. The physician has ordered an arterial blood gas (ABG). What is one of the most important indications of an acid-base imbalance that is shown in an ABG?

Bicarbonate

A client reports tingling in the fingers as well as feeling depressed. The nurse assesses positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs. Which decreased laboratory results does the nurse observe when the client's laboratory work has returned?

Calcium

Upon shift report, the nurse states the following laboratory values: pH, 7.44; PCO2, 30 mm Hg; and HCO3, 21 mEq/L for a client with noted acid-base disturbances. Which acid-base imbalance do both nurses agree is the client's current state?

Compensated respiratory alkalosis

The nurse is caring for a client with a serum sodium concentration of 113 mEq/L (113 mmol/L). The nurse should monitor the client for the development of which condition?

Confusion

The nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium concentration of 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L) and a fluid volume excess. The client is ordered to receive oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate and furosemide. What other order should the nurse anticipate giving?

Discontinue the intravenous lactated Ringer solution.

A client was admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of hypovolemia. When it is time to complete discharge teaching, which of the following will the nurse teach the client and family? Select all that apply.

Drink water as an inexpensive way to meet fluid needs. Drink caffeinated beverages to retain fluid. Respond to thirst

The nurse is caring for a client in heart failure with signs of hypervolemia. Which vital sign is indicative of the disease process?

Elevated blood pressure and bounding pulse

Before seeing a newly assigned client with respiratory alkalosis, a nurse quickly reviews the client's medical history. Which condition is a predisposing factor for respiratory alkalosis?

Extreme anxiety

Which nerve is implicated in the Chvostek's sign?

Facial

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?

Hypercalcemia

An elderly client takes 40 mg of furosemide twice a day. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most serious adverse effect of diuretic use?

Hypokalemia

The nurse is assessing residents at a summer picnic at the nursing facility. The nurse expresses concern due to the high heat and humidity of the day. Although the facility is offering the residents plenty of fluids for fluid maintenance, the nurse is most concerned about which?

Insensible fluid loss

With which condition should the nurse expect that a decrease in serum osmolality will occur?

Kidney failure

Your client has a diagnosis of hypervolemia. What would be an important intervention that you would initiate?

Limit sodium and water intake.

The physician has prescribed 0.9% sodium chloride IV for a hospitalized client in metabolic alkalosis. Which nursing actions are required to manage this client? Select all that apply.

Maintain intake and output records. Document presenting signs and symptoms. Compare ABG findings with previous results.

A client has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.12; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 40 mm Hg; and bicarbonate (HCO3-), 15 mEq/L. These ABG values suggest which disorder?

Metabolic acidosis

A client has been diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction and has a nasogastric tube set to low continuous suction. Which acid-base disturbance is this client at risk for developing?

Metabolic alkalosis

The nurse on a surgical unit is caring for a client recovering from recent surgery with the placement of a nasogastric tube to low continuous suction Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur?

Metabolic alkalosis

Which is the preferred route of administration for potassium?

Oral

The calcium concentration in the blood is regulated by which mechanism?

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

A client with a suspected overdose of an unknown drug is admitted to the emergency department. Arterial blood gas values indicate respiratory acidosis. What should the nurse do first?

Prepare to assist with ventilation.

A client is being treated in the ICU 24 hours after having a radical neck dissection completed. The client's serum calcium concentration is 7.6 mg/dL (1.9 mmol/L). Which physical examination finding is consistent with this electrolyte imbalance?

Presence of Trousseau sign

A nurse is caring for a client with acute renal failure and hypernatremia. In this case, which action can be delegated to the nursing assistant?

Provide oral care every 2-3 hours.

A nurse is caring for a client admitted with a diagnosis of exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. Upon assessment of the client, the nurse notes the client has severely depressed respirations. The nurse would expect to identify which acid-base disturbance?

Respiratory acidosis

A client is diagnosed with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The nurse should anticipate which laboratory test result?

Serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L

A patient with diabetes insipidus presents to the emergency room for treatment of dehydration. The nurse knows to review serum laboratory results for which of the diagnostic indicators?

Sodium level of 150 mEq/L

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?

Takes high doses of vitamin D

A client with severe hypervolemia is prescribed a loop diuretic and the nurse is concerned with the client experiencing significant sodium and potassium losses. What drug was most likely prescribed?

furosemide

A nurse is caring for a client in acute renal failure. The nurse should expect hypertonic glucose, insulin infusions, and sodium bicarbonate to be used to treat:

hyperkalemia

A client reports muscle cramps in the calves and feeling "tired a lot." The client is taking ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) for hypertension. Based on these symptoms, the client will be evaluated for which electrolyte imbalance?

hypokalemia

Early signs of hypervolemia include

increased breathing effort and weight gain

A client with a history of anxiety experiences respiratory alkalosis. The nurse measures a respiratory rate of 46 breaths/minute, a heart rate of 110 beats/minute, a blood pressure of 162/90 mm Hg, and a temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). To help correct respiratory alkalosis, the nurse should:

instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.

A client with cancer is being treated on the oncology unit for bilateral breast cancer. The client is undergoing chemotherapy. The nurse notes the client's serum calcium concentration is 12.3 mg/dL (3.08 mmol/L). Given this laboratory finding, the nurse should suspect that the

malignancy is causing the electrolyte imbalance.

A client who complains of an "acid stomach" has been taking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) regularly as a self-treatment. This may place the client at risk for which acid-base imbalance?

metabolic alkalosis

To confirm an acid-base imbalance, it is necessary to assess which findings from a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results? Select all that apply.

pH HCO3 PaCO2

When evaluating arterial blood gases (ABGs), which value is consistent with metabolic alkalosis?

pH 7.48

The nurse is analyzing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Which of the following ABG results indicates respiratory acidosis?

pH: 7.20, PaCO2: 65 mm Hg, HCO3-: 26 mEq/L

A nurse is monitoring a client being evaluated who has a potassium level of 7 mEq/L (mmol/L). Which electrocardiogram changes will the client display?

peaked T waves

A client admitted with acute anxiety has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.55; partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), 90 mm Hg; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 27 mm Hg; and bicarbonate (HCO3-), 24 mEq/L. Based on these values, the nurse suspects:

respiratory alkalosis.

A client has been admitted to the hospital unit with signs and symptoms of hypovolemia; however, the client has not lost weight. The client exhibits a localized enlargement of her abdomen. What condition could the client be presenting?

third-spacing

A client is diagnosed with hypocalcemia and the nurse is teaching the client about symptoms. What symptom would the nurse include in the teaching?

tingling sensation in the fingers