NUR 105; critical thinking questions for Fluid and Electrolytes and ABGs

A 42-year-old client has chronic hyponatremia, which requires weekly blood labs to keep him from lapsing into convulsions or a coma. What is the level of serum sodium below which convulsions or coma can occur?

135 mEq/L

A client has a serum calcium level of 7.2 mg/dl. During the physical examination, the nurse expects to assess:

Trousseau's sign and Chvosteks sign

give an example of insensible fluid loss

breathing, sweating

Following a unilateral adrenalectomy, patient showed signs of muscle weakness, nurse should assess for other signs of

hyperkalemia

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

hypernatemic

Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center, located in which of the following cerebral areas?

hypothalamus

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 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 57-year-old homeless female with a history of alcohol abuse has been admitted to your hospital unit with signs and symptoms of hypovolemia—minus the weight loss. She exhibits a localized enlargement of her abdomen. What condition could she be presenting?

third spacing

what is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia?

alcoholism

A group of nursing students are studying for a test over acid-base imbalance. One student asks another what the major chemical regulator of plasma pH is. What should the second student respond?

bicarbonate-carbonate acid buffer system

A client is taking spironolactone (Aldactone) to control her hypertension. Her serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. For this client, the nurse's priority should be to assess her:

electrocardiogram (ECG) results

which nerve is implicated in the Chvosteks sign?

facial

You are caring for a client who has been admitted with a possible clotting disorder. The client is complaining of excessive bleeding and bruising without cause. You know that you should take extra care to check for signs of bruising or bleeding in what condition?

hypocalcemia

An elderly client takes 40 mg of Lasix twice a day, which electrolyte imbalance is the most serious adverse effect of diuretic use?

hypokalemia [Lasix is a loop diuretic (potassium losing diuretic)]

Patients diagnosed with hypervolemia should avoid sweet or dry food because

it increases the patients desire to consume fluid

your client has a diagnosis of hypervalemia. what important interventions should you take?

limit sodium and water intake