CH44 The Child With Alterations in Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
The nurse is expecting the admission of a child with severe isotonic dehydration. Which intravenous fluid prescription does the nurse anticipate for this child? 1. 0.9% normal saline (NS) 2. D5 0.2% (¼) normal saline 3. D5W 4. Albumin
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. 0.9% normal saline (NS) is an isotonic fluid and maintains Na and chloride at present levels. 2. D5 0.2% (¼) normal saline would not be used initially but later, as maintenance fluids. 3. D5W can lower sodium levels, and so it would not be used to replace fluids in severe isotonic dehydration. 4. Albumin is used to restore plasma proteins.
A nurse is planning care for a child with hyponatremia. The nurse, delegating care of this child to a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), cautions the LVN to immediately report which clinical manifestation? 1. Seizures 2. Respiratory distress 3. Hyperthermia 4. Bradycardia
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. A child with hyponatremia is at risk for seizures. 2. Respiratory distress is not a risk of hyponatremia. 3. Hyperthermia is not a risk of hyponatremia. 4. Bradycardia is not a risk of hyponatremia.
In the morning, a nurse receives change-of-shift report on four pediatric clients, each of whom has some form of fluid-volume excess. Which of the children should the nurse see first? 1. The child with tachypnea and pulmonary congestion 2. The child with hepatomegaly and normal respiratory rate 3. The child with dependent and sacral edema and regular pulse 4. The child with periorbital edema and normal respiratory rate
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. A child with respiratory distress should be the first client the nurse checks after receiving a report. 2. The child with hepatomegaly and normal respiratory rate is more stable than the child with tachypnea and pulmonary congestion. 3. The child with dependent and sacral edema and regular pulse is more stable than the child with tachypnea and pulmonary congestion. 4. The child with periorbital edema and normal respiratory rate is more stable than the child with tachypnea and pulmonary congestion.
As a result of opioid administration, a child's respirations are slow and shallow. Which should the nurse anticipate when assessing the child's arterial blood gas? 1. Increased PCO2 and respiratory acidosis 2. Decreased PCO2 and respiratory alkalosis 3. Low pH and low PCO2 4. High pH and high PCO2
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Due to inadequate respirations, the child retains CO2 and develops respiratory acidosis. 2. This statement is incorrect as the child retains carbon dioxide. 3. The pH would be acidic, but the pH would be high. 4. The child would have a low pH (acidosis) and high PCO2.
A child is admitted to the hospital for hypercalcemia and is placed on diuretic therapy. Which diuretic would the nurse expect to give? 1. Furosemide (Lasix) 2. Hydrochlorothiazide (Aquazide) 3. Spironolactone (Aldactone) 4. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Furosemide (Lasix) is the diuretic used to aid in excretion of calcium. 2. Thiazide diuretics (like hydrochlorothiazide) decrease calcium excretion and should not be given to the hypercalcemic client. 3. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic. While there is a net increase in calcium in the urine, it is not as effective an option as furosemide. 4. Mannitol (Osmitrol) is a diuretic used to decrease cerebral edema and is not routinely used to aid in excretion of calcium.
A 6-year-old child is hypokalemic. Which menu choice should the nurse encourage for this child? 1. Pizza with a fruit plate 2. Chicken strips with chips 3. Fajita with rice 4. A hamburger with French fries
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. Pizza with a fruit plate should be encouraged because fruits (bananas, apricots, cantaloupe, cherries, peaches, and strawberries) have high amounts of potassium, and a child is likely to eat this combination. 2. Chicken strips and chips are not good sources of potassium. 3. The nurse is looking for potassium-rich foods that are attractive to children. This choice does not meet the requirement. 4. A hamburger and French fries do not provide potassium.
The nurse is caring for a child on bed rest who has severe edema in a left lower extremity due to blocked lymphatic drainage. Which nursing diagnosis would take priority? 1. Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity 2. Risk for Altered Body Image 3. Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements 4. Risk for Activity Intolerance
Answer: 1 Explanation: 1. The highest priority problem is skin integrity. 2. Body image would not take priority over the integrity of the skin for this scenario. 3. Nutrition would not take priority over the integrity of the skin for this scenario. 4. Activity intolerance would not take priority over the integrity of the skin for this scenario.
The nurse is assessing a pediatric client who is experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which assessment questions should the nurse include when interviewing the child's parents? Select all that apply. 1. "Has your child consumed any aspirin?" 2. "Has your child consumed any boric acid?" 3. "Has your child consumed any antifreeze?" 4. "Has your child consumed any baking soda?" 5. "Has your child consumed any antacids?"
Answer: 1, 2, 3 Explanation: 1. An overdose of aspirin is associated with metabolic acidosis. 2. Consumption of boric acid can cause metabolic acidosis. 3. Accidental consumption of antifreeze can cause metabolic acidosis. 4. Consumption of baking soda is associated with metabolic alkalosis. 5. Consumption of antacids is associated with metabolic alkalosis.
Which pediatric client diagnoses necessitate close monitoring for respiratory acidosis? Select all that apply. 1. Aspiration 2. Epiglottitis 3. Sepsis 4. Meningitis 5. Cystic fibrosis
Answer: 1, 2, 5 Explanation: 1. Aspiration places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis. 2. Epiglottitis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis. 3. Sepsis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory alkalosis. 4. Meningitis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory alkalosis. 5. Cystic fibrosis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis.
The nurse is assessing an infant brought to the clinic because of diarrhea. The infant is alert but has dry mucous membranes. Which additional assessment data indicates to the nurse that the infant is experiencing an early to moderate stage of dehydration? 1. Bradycardia 2. Tachycardia 3. Increased blood pressure 4. Normal fontanels
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Bradycardia is not a sign of dehydration. 2. Tachycardia is a sign that indicates moderate dehydration. 3. In dehydration, the blood pressure is hypotensive. 4. Fontanels would be sunken in moderate dehydration.
Which parental statement indicates correct understanding of preventive techniques for heat-related illnesses when children exercise? 1. "Wearing dark clothing during exercise is recommended." 2. "Water is the fluid of choice to replenish fluids." 3. "During activity, stop for fluids every 15 to 20 minutes." 4. "Hydration should occur at the end of an exercise session."
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. Light-colored, light clothing is best to wear during exercise activities; wearing of dark colors can increase sweating. 2. A combination of water and sports drinks is best to replace fluids during exercise. 3. During activity, stopping for fluids every 15 to 20 minutes is recommended. 4. Hydration should occur before and during the activity, not just at the end.
A child with croup has an increased PCO2, a decreased pH, and a normal HCO3 blood gas value. Which does the nurse report to the healthcare provider based on these data? 1. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis 2. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis 3. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis 4. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis has an increased pH, normal PCO2, and increased HCO3. 2. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis has a decreased pH, normal PCO2, and normal HCO3. 3. If the pH is decreased and the PCO2 is increased with a normal HCO3, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Also, croup can be a disease process that causes respiratory acidosis. 4. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis has an increased pH, decreased PCO2, and normal HCO3.
Which pediatric client diagnoses necessitate close monitoring for respiratory alkalosis? Select all that apply. 1. Aspiration 2. Epiglottitis 3. Sepsis 4. Meningitis 5. Cystic fibrosis
Answer: 3, 4 Explanation: 1. Aspiration places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis. 2. Epiglottitis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis. 3. Sepsis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory alkalosis. 4. Meningitis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory alkalosis. 5. Cystic fibrosis places the pediatric client at risk for respiratory acidosis.
Which rationale will the seasoned nurse share with the novice nurse regarding why the specific gravity for infants is lower than for older children? 1. The infant has a greater body surface area. 2. The infant has a higher basal metabolic rate. 3. The infant has a greater percentage of body weight that is water. 4. The infant's kidneys are less able to concentrate urine.
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Although this is true, it does not explain the lower specific gravity. 2. This statement is true but does not explain the specific gravity differences. 3. Although the statement is true, it does not explain the specific gravity differences. 4. This statement is accurate and explains why the specific grav
A nurse is planning care for a child with hyperkalemia. Which manifestation associated with the documented hyperkalemia requires immediate intervention by the nurse? 1. Hyperthermia 2. Respiratory distress 3. Seizures 4. Cardiac arrhythmias
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. Excessive potassium is unrelated to the body temperature. 2. Potassium is needed for contractility of heart and skeletal muscles but not for the muscles of respiration. 3. Seizures are not an adverse outcome of hyperkalemia. 4. A child with hyperkalemia is at risk for cardiac problems that can be life threatening, such as arrhythmias.
Which is the priority nursing assessment when providing care for an infant at risk for dehydration? 1. Urine output 2. Urine specific gravity 3. Vital signs 4. Daily weight
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. The infant is unable to concentrate urine and will continue to void dilute urine. Therefore, this is not the priority nursing assessment for an infant at risk for dehydration. 2. The infant's kidney is immature and unable to concentrate urine. Therefore, this is not the priority nursing assessment for an infant at risk for dehydration. 3. Pulse will elevate and blood pressure may drop, but the other vital sign findings will remain unchanged. However, this is not the best assessment of dehydration. 4. Daily weights on an infant provide the most accurate assessment of fluid balance.
A nurse is taking care of four different pediatric clients. Which child is at greatest risk for dehydration? 1. 7-year-old child with migraine headaches 2. 4-year-old child with a broken arm 3. 2-year-old child with cellulitis of the left leg 4. 18-month-old child with tachypnea
Answer: 4 Explanation: 1. The pediatric client with a chronic or acute condition that does not directly affect the GI or electrolyte system is at a lower risk than is a toddler with a condition that increases insensible water loss. 2. The pediatric client with an acute condition that does not directly affect electrolytes is at a lower risk than is a client with a condition that increases insensible water loss. 3. The pediatric client with an acute condition, such as a client with cellulitis that does not affect the GI or electrolyte system, is at a lower risk than is a toddler with a condition that increases insensible water loss. 4. The pediatric client with the greatest risk is under 2 years of age and with a condition that increases insensible fluid loss.
The nurse is assessing a pediatric client who is experiencing metabolic alkalosis. Which assessment questions should the nurse include when interviewing the child's parents? Select all that apply. 1. "Has your child consumed any aspirin?" 2. "Has your child consumed any boric acid?" 3. "Has your child consumed any antifreeze?" 4. "Has your child consumed any baking soda?" 5. "Has your child consumed any antacids?"
Answer: 4, 5 Explanation: 1. An overdose of aspirin is associated with metabolic acidosis. 2. Consumption of boric acid can cause metabolic acidosis. 3. Accidental consumption of antifreeze can cause metabolic acidosis. 4. Consumption of baking soda is associated with metabolic alkalosis. 5. Consumption of antacids is associated with metabolic alkalosis.
The nurse is completing the intake and output record for a child admitted for fluid volume deficit. The child has had the following intake and output during the shift: Intake: 4 oz of Pedialyte One-half of an 8-oz cup of clear orange Jell-O Two graham crackers 200 mL of D51/2 sodium chloride IV Output: 345 mL of urine 50 mL of loose stool How many milliliters should the nurse document as the client's total intake? Give the numerical answer only. Do not include any units of measurement.
Answer: 440 mL Explanation: 1. The child takes in 120 mL of Pedialyte and 120 mL of Jell-O for a total of 240 mL. With 200 mL of IV fluids, the total intake is 440 mL.
A child is being treated for dehydration with intravenous fluids. The child currently weighs 13 kg and is estimated to have lost 7% of his normal body weight. The nurse is double-checking the IV rate the healthcare provider prescribed. The formula the healthcare provider used was for maintenance fluids: 1000 mL for 10 kg of body weight plus 50 mL for every kilogram over 10 for 24 hours. Replacement fluid is the percentage of lost body weight × 10 per kg of body weight. According to the calculation for maintenance plus replacement fluid, which hourly IV rate will the nurse implement for 24 hours? 1. 88 mL/hr 2. 86 mL/hr 3. 81 mL/hr 4. 83 mL/hr
Answer: 2 Explanation: 1. Maintenance need for 13 kg is 1000 + (50 [×] 3), or 1150 mL/24 hours. Add to this the replacement fluid loss = 7 (% of total body weight lost) × 10 = 70 mL/kg/24 hours (70 × 13 = 910). 1,150 + 910 = 2060 for 24 hours. 2060/24 = 86 mL per hour. 2. Maintenance need for 13 kg is 1000 + (50 [×] 3), or 1150 mL/24 hours. Add to this the replacement fluid loss = 7 (% of total body weight lost) × 10 = 70 mL/kg/24 hours (70 × 13 = 910). 1150 + 910 = 2060 for 24 hours. 2060/24 = 86 mL per hour. 3. Maintenance need for 13 kg is 1000 + (50 [×] 3), or 1150 mL/24 hours. Add to this the replacement fluid loss = 7 (% of total body weight lost) × 10 = 70 mL/kg/24 hours (70 × 13 = 910). 1150 + 910 = 2060 for 24 hours. 2060/24 = 86 mL per hour. 4. Maintenance need for 13 kg is 1000 + (50 [×] 3), or 1150 mL/24 hours. Add to this the replacement fluid loss = 7 (% of total body weight lost) × 10 = 70 mL/kg/24 hours (70 × 13 = 910). 1150 + 910 = 2060 for 24 hours. 2060/24 = 86 mL per hour.
Which age-appropriate techniques should the nurse implement in order to encourage a young child to participate in deep breathing exercises? Select all that apply. 1. Showing the child how to use the "blow bottle" 2. Using a pinwheel that the child plays with and asking the child to blow until it turns 3. Asking the child to blow bubbles in a glass of water using a straw 4. Having the child blow scraps of paper across the bedside table with a straw 5. Telling the child that a "shot" will be needed if the child does not follow the nurse's directions
Answer: 2, 3, 4 Explanation: 1. A blow bottle is appropriate for an older pediatric client, not a young child. 2. Asking the young child to blow on a pinwheel is an age-appropriate intervention to facilitate deep breathing. 3. Asking the child to blow bubbles into a glass of water is an age-appropriate intervention to facilitate deep breathing. 4. Having the child blow scraps of paper across the bedside table with a straw is an age-appropriate intervention to facilitate deep breathing. 5. Telling the child that an injection will be administered if the nurse's directions are not followed is not therapeutic nor age appropriate.
A 9-month-old infant is hospitalized with vomiting and diarrhea. The mother questions why her child needed hospitalization since her school-age nephew had the same symptoms and was treated at home. Which should the nurse include in the explanation to the infant's mother? Select all that apply. 1. Infants have a lower proportion of their body weight as water. 2. The percentage of extracellular fluid is higher in the infant than the school-age child. 3. School-age children have a larger body surface area. 4. The school-age child's kidneys are more mature and better able to conserve water. 5. The metabolic rate of the school-age child is higher.
Answer: 2, 4 Explanation: 1. Infants have a higher percentage of body weight as water. 2. This statement is accurate. 3. Body surface area (BSA) is an assessment of skin surface. BSA compares the height and weight of the child and is greatest in infancy. 4. This statement is accurate. 5. Infants have a higher metabolic rate than a school-age child.
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital secondary to dehydration. Laboratory tests indicate a high hemoglobin and hematocrit, and the serum sodium is below normal levels. Which condition does the nurse suspect based on the current data? 1. Hypernatremia 2. Metabolic acidosis 3. Hypotonic dehydration 4. Isotonic dehydration
Answer: 3 Explanation: 1. Hypernatremia is a condition where the body fluids are too concentrated and there is an excess of sodium. 2. Metabolic acidosis refers to a condition where the pH of the blood is acidic. 3. This occurs when fluid loss is characterized by a proportionately greater loss of sodium than water. Serum sodium is below normal levels. Hemoglobin and hematocrit will be high due to the loss of serum water. 4. This occurs when fluid loss is not balanced by intake, and the losses of water and sodium are in proportion.
