Chapter 41: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance (Course Point +)
The student nurse asks, "What is interstitial fluid?" What is the appropriate nursing response?
"Fluid in the tissue space between and around cells."
A nursing student is teaching a healthy adult client about adequate hydration. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of adequate hydration?
"I should drink 2,500 mL/day of fluid."
The nurse is caring for a client who will be undergoing surgery in several weeks. The client states, "I would like to give my own blood to be used in case I need it during surgery." What is the appropriate nursing response?
"Let me refer you to the blood bank so they can provide you with information."
A client with protracted nausea and vomiting has been receiving intravenous solution at 125 ml/h for the past several hours. The administration of this solution has resulted in an increase in blood pressure because the water in the solution has passed through the semipermeable membrane of blood cells, causing them to swell. What type of solution has the client been receiving?
A hypotonic solution
Which is a common anion?
Chloride
A nurse is caring for a client who requires intravenous (IV) therapy. The nurse understands that which actions are the nurse's responsibilities related to this therapy? Select all that apply. A. Prescribing the kind of IV solution. B. Deciding the location of the IV catheter. C. Deciding the size of the IV catheter. D. Administering the IV solution. E. Determining the amount of IV solution.
Deciding the location of the IV catheter. Deciding the size of the IV catheter. Administering the IV solution.
A nurse is obtaining an arterial blood specimen from a client to assess acid-base status. Which value is expected for a client with normal status?
HCO3: 25 mEq/L (25 mmol/L)
A client is admitted to the facility after experiencing uncontrolled diarrhea for the past several days. The client is exhibiting signs of a fluid volume deficit. When reviewing the client's laboratory test results, which electrolyte imbalance would the nurse likely to find?
Hypokalemia
Which statement accurately describes appropriate nursing interventions in unexpected situations when removing a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)?
If a portion of the catheter breaks when removing it, apply a tourniquet to the upper arm and notify the health care provider.
A client is admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of intractable vomiting for 3 days. What acid-base imbalance related to the loss of stomach acid does the nurse observe on the arterial blood gas (ABG)?
Metabolic alkalosis
An adult client has developed gastric esophageal reflux disease and is treating it with frequent doses of antacids. The nurse will assess for what acid-base disorder?
Metabolic alkalosis
A nurse is providing care to a client who is on fluid restriction. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Offer the client sugar-free candy to help combat thirst.
The nurse is administering intravenous (IV) therapy to a client. The nurse notices acute tenderness, redness, warmth, and slight edema of the vein above the insertion site. Which complication related to IV therapy should the nurse most suspect?
Phlebitis
The primary extracellular electrolytes include which of the following?
Sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate
The nurse writes a a problem-based care plan, citing the client's excess fluid volume. What risk factor does the nurse expect to assess in this client?
acute kidney injury
Edema happens when there is which fluid volume imbalance?
extracellular fluid volume excess
The nurse is caring for a client who has had partial removal of the parathyroid gland. The client reports numbness and tingling of the hands and fingers as well as showing signs of tetany. Which imbalance does the nurse suspect?
hypocalcemia
A client is admitted to the nursing unit from the emergency department with a diagnosis of hypokalemia. Laboratory results show a serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/l (3.2 mmol/l). For what set of manifestations should the nurse be alert?
muscle weakness, fatigue, and arrythmias
The nurse is caring for a client with metabolic alkalosis whose breathing rate is 8 breaths/min. Which arterial blood gas data does the nurse anticipate finding?
pH: 7.60; PaCO2: 64 mm Hg (8.51 kPa); HCO3: 42 mEq/l (42 mmol/l)
Upon assessment of a client's peripheral intravenous site, the nurse notices the area is red and warm. The client complains of pain when the nurse gently palpates the area. These signs and symptoms are indicative of:
phlebitis.
A student nurse is selecting a venipuncture site for an adult client. Which action by the student would cause the nurse to intervene?
placing the tourniquet on the upper arm for 2 minutes
A client has been receiving intravenous (IV) fluids that contain potassium. The IV site is red and there is a red streak along the vein that is painful to the client. What is the priority nursing action?
remove the IV
A nurse is measuring the intake and output of a client who is dehydrated. What is the average adult daily fluid intake in milliliters that the nurse would use as a comparison?
2,600 mL
As observed the nurse changing a peripheral venous access site dressing is demonstrating inappropriate technique by implementing which action?
Not wearing gloves when performing the intervention
When caring for a client who is on intravenous therapy, the nurse observes that the client has developed redness, warmth, and discomfort along the vein. Which intervention should the nurse perform for this complication?
Restart infusion in another vein and apply a warm compress.
A client is diagnosed with hypovolemia after significant blood loss. Which action will the nurse take?
Start an IV of normal saline as prescribed.
A client is preparing for discharge to home following a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism with associated low parathyroid hormone. Which food(s) will the nurse include when creating a diet-based teaching plan for the client? Select all that apply. A. Peanuts B. Yogurt C. Broccoli D. Tofu E. Peaches F. Bananas
Yogurt, broccoli, Tofu
A client admitted with heart failure requires careful monitoring of his fluid status. Which method will provide the nurse with the best indication of the client's fluid status?
daily weights
A nurse who has diagnosed a client as having "fluid volume excess" related to compromised regulatory mechanism (kidneys) may have been alerted by what symptom?
distended neck veins
During a blood transfusion, a client displays signs of immediate onset facial flushing, hypotension, tachycardia, and chills. Which transfusion reaction should the nurse suspect?
hemolytic transfusion reaction: incompatibility of blood product
A nurse is reviewing the client's serum electrolyte levels which are as follows: Sodium: 138 mEq/L (138 mmol/L) Potassium: 3.2 mEq/L (3.2 mmol/L) Calcium: 10.0 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) Magnesium: 2.0 mEq/L (1.0 mmol/L) Chloride: 100 mEq/L (100 mmol/L) Phosphate: 4.5 mg/dL (2.6 mEq/L) Based on these levels, the nurse would identify which imbalance?
hypokalemia
A client with a diagnosis of colon cancer has opted for a treatment plan that will include several rounds of chemotherapy. What vascular access device is most likely to meet this client's needs?
An implanted central venous access device (CVAD)
A client is receiving IV fluids. The solution has an osmolarity of 280 mOsm/L. The nurse would expect which event to occur with the body's fluids?
No shifting of fluids occurs.
The nurse is responding to a client's call light. The client states, "I was getting out of bed and caught my IV on the side rail. I think I may have pulled it out." The nurse determines that the intravenous (IV) catheter has been almost completely pulled out of the insertion site. Which is the appropriate action for the nurse?
Remove the IV catheter and reinsert another in a different location.
The nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous fluids through a peripheral intravenous catheter (IV). On rounds, the nurse notes that the client's IV site and arm are swollen and cool to the touch. Based on these assessment findings, what will the nurse do next?
Remove the peripheral intravenous catheter.
A healthy client eats a regular, balanced diet and drinks 3,000 mL of liquids during a 24-hour period. In evaluating this client's urine output for the same 24-hour period, the nurse realizes that it should total approximately how many mL?
3,000
An older adult client who takes diuretics for management of hypertension, informs the nurse that they take laxatives daily to promote bowel movements. The nurse assesses the client for possible symptoms of what health problem?
Hypokalemia
A client's blood pressure has dropped from 146/92 mmHg to 107/68 mmHg over the course of several minutes. Increased levels of which of the following will be released into the client's bloodstream?
Renin
