Saunders Fluids & Electrolytes

The nurse is caring for a client who needs a hypertonic intravenous (IV) solution. What solutions are hypertonic?

-5% dextrose in 0.9% saline -5% dextrose in 0.45% saline -10% dextrose in water -5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution

A client in the later stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has hyperkalemia. With CKD, what other factors besides tissue breakdown can cause high potassium levels?

-Blood transfusions -Bleeding or hemorrhage -Ingestion of potassium in medications -Failure to restrict dietary potassium Submit

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF). Which signs and symptoms could indicate fluid overload?

-Bounding pulse -Difficulty breathing -Presence of dependent edema -Neck vein distention in the upright position

The nurse notes that a client's total serum calcium level is 6.0 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L). Which assessment findings would be anticipated in this client?

-Tetany -Hypotension -Prolonged QT interval -Positive Chvostek's sign

The nurse is calculating a client's fluid intake for a 24-hour period. The client suffers from chronic kidney disease, is on hemodialysis, and urinates about 100 mL a day. The client is on a fluid restriction of 750 mL per day. The client drank 4 oz of tea and 4 oz of orange juice for breakfast, 4 oz of water at 1200 and at 1700 when taking his medications, and 4 oz of iced tea at lunch and dinner. At 0800 and again at 1400, the client received his intravenous antibiotics in 50 mL of normal saline. How many mL of fluid does the client have left to drink for the day?

30 mL

The nurse is obtaining the intershift report for a group of assigned clients. Which assigned client would the nurse monitor closely for signs of hyperkalemia?

A client admitted 6 hours ago with a 40% burn injury

The nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients. On review of the clients' medical records, the nurse determines that which client is most likely at risk for a fluid volume deficit?

A client with an ileostomy

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of dehydration, and the client is receiving intravenous (IV) fluids. Which assessment finding would indicate to the nurse that the dehydration remains unresolved?

A urine specific gravity of 1.043

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client is dyspneic, and crackles are audible on auscultation. What additional manifestations would the nurse expect to note in this client if excess fluid volume is present?

An increase in blood pressure and increased respirations

The nurse is assisting in the care of a client with pheochromocytoma who has been experiencing clinical manifestations of hypermagnesemia. When evaluating the client, the nurse would determine that the client's status is returning to normal if which is no longer exhibited?

Areflexia

During an assessment of skin turgor in an older client, the nurse discovers that skin tenting occurs when the skin is pinched on the client's forearm. What would the nurse do next?

Check skin turgor over the client's sternum.

The nurse is caring for a group of clients on the clinical nursing unit. Which client would the nurse plan to monitor for signs of fluid volume deficit?

Client with an ileostomy

The nurse is assisting in the care of a group of clients on the nursing unit. When considering the effects of each medical diagnosis, the nurse determines that which client has the least risk for developing third spacing of fluid?

Client with an ischemic stroke

The nurse has a prescription to hang a crystalloid intravenous solution of lactated Ringer's on a newly admitted client. The nurse notices that the client has a history of alcoholic cirrhosis. What action would the nurse take first?

Contact the primary health care provider (PHCP).

During an assessment of a newly admitted client, the nurse notes that the client's heart rate is 110 beats/min, his blood pressure shows orthostatic changes when he stands up, and his tongue has a sticky, pastelike coating. The client's spouse tells the nurse that he seems a little confused and unsteady on his feet. Based on these assessment findings, the nurse suspects that the client has which condition?

Dehydration

The nurse who is caring for a client with severe malnutrition reviews the laboratory results and notes that the client has a magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L). Which electrocardiographic change would the nurse expect to observe based on the client's magnesium level?

Depressed ST segment

The nurse is updating the client's plan of care based on the new onset of hypokalemia. Which priorities of care would the nurse include?

Ensure adequate oxygenation. -Provide assistance to prevent falls. -Monitor medication administration of diuretics. -Prevent complications during potassium administration.

The nurse is caring for a client in the early stages of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). At this stage, what medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed?

Heparin

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving high doses of a diuretic. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client has flat neck veins, generalized muscle weakness, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. The nurse suspects hyponatremia. What additional sign would the nurse expect to note in a client with hyponatremia?

Hyperactive bowel sounds

The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which cardiovascular manifestation would the nurse expect to note?

Hypotension

The nurse is reading a physician's progress notes in the client's record and reads that the physician has documented "insensible fluid loss of approximately 800 mL daily." The nurse plans to monitor the client, knowing that insensible fluid loss occurs through which type of excretion?

Integumentary output

The nurse is reading a primary health care provider's (PHCP's) progress notes in the client's record and reads that the PHCP has documented "insensible fluid loss of approximately 800 mL daily." The nurse plans to make a notation that insensible fluid loss occurs through which type of excretion?

Integumentary output

The nurse reviews a client's laboratory report and notes that the client's serum phosphorus (phosphate) level is 1.8 mg/dL (0.45 mmol/L). Which condition most likely caused this serum phosphorus level?

Malnutrition

The nurse caring for a client with heart failure is notified by the hospital laboratory that the client's serum magnesium level is 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L). Which would be the most appropriate nursing action for this client?

Monitor the client for dysrhythmias.

The nurse is monitoring a client on telemetry notes the presence of prominent U waves. The nurse assesses the client and checks the most recent electrolyte results. The nurse expects to note which electrolyte value?

Potassium 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)

The nurse aspirates 40 mL of undigested formula from the client's nasogastric (NG) tube. Before administering an intermittent tube feeding, what would the nurse do with the 40 mL of gastric aspirate?

Pour the aspirate into the NG tube and reinstill through a syringe with the plunger removed.

The nurse is caring for a client with Crohn's disease who has a calcium level of 8 mg/dL (2 mmol/L).Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the electrocardiogram?

Prolonged QT interval Prolonged ST segment

The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory report and notes that the total serum calcium level is 6.0 mg/dL (1.66 mmol/L). The nurse understands that which condition most likely caused this serum calcium level?

Prolonged bed rest

The nurse is preparing to care for a client with a potassium deficit. The nurse reviews the client's record and determines that the client is at risk for developing the potassium deficit because of which situation?

Requires nasogastric suction

The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Nasogastric tube irrigations are prescribed to be performed once every shift. The client's serum electrolyte result indicates a potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L) and a sodium level of 132 mEq/L (132 mmol/L). Based on these laboratory findings, the nurse would select which solution to use for the nasogastric tube irrigation?

Sodium chloride

A registered nurse (RN) has instructed an assistive personnel (AP) to administer soap suds enemas until clear to a client. The AP reports that three enemas have been administered and the client is still passing brown, liquid stool. What would the RN instruct the AP to do?

Stop administering the enemas until the primary health care provider (PHCP) is notified.

The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of a client with chronic kidney disease and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the laboratory value?

Tall peaked T waves Widened QRS complexes

The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of an assigned client and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the laboratory value?

Tall peaked T waves Widened QRS complexes

Which client is at risk for the development of a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L (5.5 mmol/L)?

The client who has sustained a traumatic burn

Which client is at risk for the development of a sodium level at 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L)?

The client who is taking diuretics

The nurse is assessing a client with a lactose intolerance disorder for a suspected diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to note in the client?

Twitching

The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte laboratory report and notes that the potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the electrocardiogram (ECG) as a result of the laboratory value?

U waves Inverted T waves Depressed ST segment

The nurse is monitoring the fluid balance of a client with a burn injury. The nurse determines that the client is less than adequately hydrated if which information is noted during assessment?

Urine specific gravity of 1.032

The nurse caring for a client with heart failure who has been receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics suspects that the client is experiencing a fluid volume deficit. Which assessment finding would the nurse note in a client with this condition?

weight loss and poor skin turgor

A client who is at risk for fluid imbalance is to be admitted to the nursing unit. In planning care for this client, the nurse is aware that which conditions cause the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

-Dehydration -Physiological stress -Decreased blood volume

The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube who has a prescription for NG tube irrigation once every 8 hours. To maintain homeostasis, which solution would the nurse use to irrigate the NG tube?

0.9% sodium chloride

A client has a prescription to begin an infusion of 1000 mL of 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution. The client has an intravenous (IV) cannula inserted, and the nurse prepares the solution and IV tubing.

1)Close the roller clamp on the IV tubing. 2)Spike the IV bag and half-fill the drip chamber. 3)Open the roller clamp and fill the tubing. 4)Uncap the distal end of the tubing. 5)Attach the distal end of the tubing to the client.

A school nurse is teaching an athletic coach how to prevent dehydration in athletes during football practice. Which action by the coach during football practice would indicate that further teaching is needed?

Asks the athletes to take a salt tablet before football practice

The nurse reviews a client's record and determines that the client is at risk for developing a potassium deficit if which situation is documented?

Requires nasogastric suction

A client treated for an episode of hyperthermia is being discharged to home. The nurse determines that the client needs clarification of discharge instructions if the client states a need to perform which action?

Resume full activity level.

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client with chronic kidney disease before a hemodialysis treatment. The serum electrolyte levels are sodium 142 mEq/L (142 mmol/L), chloride 103 mEq/L (103 mmol/L), potassium 5.2 mEq/L (5.2 mmol/L), and bicarbonate 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action would the nurse plan to take?

Take no action

On review of the clients' medical records, the nurse determines that which client is at risk for fluid volume excess?

The client with kidney disease that developed as a complication of diabetes mellitus