exam 2 NRSG 2300

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?

A 2-lb weight gain in 24 hours indicates that the client is retaining 1L of fluid.

A client with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps and distention is admitted to the health care facility. Which test result is most significant?

A serum potassium level of 3 mEq/L is below normal, indicating hypokalemia. Because hypokalemia may cause cardiac arrhythmias and asystole, it's the most significant finding. In a client with a potential fluid volume imbalance, such as from vomiting, the other options are expected but none are as life-threatening as hypokalemia. A BUN level of 29 mg/dl indicates slight dehydration. A serum sodium level of 132 mEq/L is slightly below normal but not life-threatening. A urine specific gravity of 1.025 is normal.

Which is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia?

Alcoholism is currently the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia. Intravenous drug use, sedentary lifestyle, and burns are not the most common causes of hypomagnesemia.

Which is considered an isotonic solution?

An isotonic solution is 0.9% normal saline (NaCl). Dextran in normal saline is a colloid solution, 0.45% normal saline is a hypotonic solution, and 3% NaCl is a hypertonic solution.

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

Hypokalemia (potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L) usually indicates a deficit in total potassium stores. Potassium-losing diuretics, such as furosemide, can induce hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia refers to increased potassium levels. Loop diuretics can bring about lower sodium levels, not hypernatremia. Furosemide does not affect phosphorus levels.

Following a unilateral adrenalectomy, a nurse should assess for hyperkalemia as indicated by:

Muscle weakness, bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea, and paresthesia of the hands, feet, tongue, and face are findings associated with hyperkalemia, which is transient and results from transient hypoaldosteronism when the adenoma is removed. Tremors, diaphoresis, and constipation aren't seen in hyperkalemia.

Which electrolyte is a major cation in body fluid?

Potassium is a major cation that affects cardiac muscle functioning. Chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate are anions.

A 54-year-old male patient is admitted to the hospital with a case of severe dehydration. The nurse reviews the patient's laboratory results. Which of the following results are consistent with the diagnosis?

Severe dehydration is associated with an increased BUN (N = 10 to 20 mg/dL), serum osmolality (N = 275 to 300 mOsm/kg), serum sodium (N = 135 to 145 mEq/L) and urine specific gravity (N = 1.01 to 1.025). Glucose and hematocrit levels would also be elevated but are within normal range for this question.

What foods can the nurse recommend for the patient with hypokalemia?

Sources of potassium include fruit juices and bananas, melon, citrus fruits, fresh and frozen vegetables, lean meats, milk, and whole grains (Crawford & Harris, 2011b).

You are caring for a 72-year-old client who has been admitted to your unit for a fluid volume imbalance. You know which of the following is the most common fluid imbalance in older adults?

The most common fluid imbalance in older adults is dehydration. Because of reduced thirst sensation that often accompanies aging, older adults tend to drink less water. Use of diuretic medications, laxatives, or enemas may also deplete fluid volume in older adults. Chronic fluid volume deficit can lead to other problems such as electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect.

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

The serum calcium concentration is controlled by PTH and calcitonin. The thyroid hormone, adrenal gland, or androgens do not regulate the calcium concentration in the blood.

Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume excess (FVE)?

Clinical manifestations of FVE include distended neck veins, crackles in the lung fields, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia.

A client with chronic renal failure has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. What should the nurse assess first?

An elevated serum potassium level may lead to a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, which the nurse can detect immediately by palpating the pulse. In addition to assessing the client's pulse, the nurse should place the client on a cardiac monitor because an arrythmia can occur suddenly. The client's blood pressure may change, but only as a result of the arrhythmia. Therefore, the nurse should assess blood pressure later. The nurse also may delay assessing respirations and temperature because these aren't affected by the serum potassium level.

A patient complains of 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 patient's laboratory work has returned?

Calcium deficit is associated with the following symptoms: numbness and tingling of the fingers, toes, and circumoral region; positive Trousseau's sign and Chvostek's sign; seizures, carpopedal spasms, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, irritability, bronchospasm, anxiety, impaired clotting time, decreased prothrombin, diarrhea, and hypotension. Electrocardiogram findings associated with hypocalcemia include prolonged QT interval and lengthened ST.

A nurse is providing an afternoon shift report and relates morning assessment findings to the oncoming nurse. Which daily assessment data is necessary to determine changes in the client's hypervolemia status?

Daily weight provides the ability to monitor fluid status. A 2-lb (0.9 kg) weight gain in 24 hours indicates that the client is retaining 1 L of fluid. Also, the loss of weight can indicate a decrease in edema. Vital signs do not always reflect fluid status. Edema could represent a shift of fluid within body spaces and not a change in weight. Intake and output do not account for unexplainable fluid loss.

The nurse is caring for a client with laboratory values indicating dehydration. Which clinical symptom is consistent with the dehydration?

Dehydration indicates a fluid volume deficit. Dark, concentrated urine indicates a lack of fluid volume. Adding more fluid would dilute the urine. The other options indicate fluid excess.

The nurse is reviewing lab work on a newly admitted client. Which of the following diagnostic studies confirm the nursing diagnosis of Deficient Fluid Volume?

Dehydration is a common primary or secondary diagnosis in health care. An elevated hematocrit level reflects low fluid level and a hemoconcentration. Electrolytes are in an imbalance as sodium and potassium levels are excreted together in client with dehydration. The urine specific gravity, due to concentrated particle level, is high. Protein is not a common sign of dehydration. Ketones are always present in the urine.

A client was admitted to the hospital unit after 2 days of vomiting and diarrhea. The client's spouse became alarmed when the client demonstrated confusion and elevated temperature, and reported "dry mouth." The nurse suspects the client is experiencing which condition?

Dehydration results when the volume of body fluid is significantly reduced in both extracellular and intracellular compartments. In dehydration, all fluid compartments have decreased volumes; in hypovolemia, only blood volume is low. The most common fluid imbalance in older adults is dehydration. Hypervolemia is caused by fluid intake that exceeds fluid loss, such as from excessive oral intake or rapid IV infusion of fluid. Early signs of hypervolemia are weight gain, elevated BP, and increased breathing effort. Hypercalcemia occurs when the serum calcium level is higher than normal. Some of its signs include tingling in the extremities and the area around the mouth (circumoral paresthesia) and muscle and abdominal cramps. Hyperkalemia is an excess of potassium in the blood. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, muscle weakness, paresthesias, and cardiac dysrhythmias.

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?

Electrolytes are in both intracellular and extracellular water. Electrolyte deficiency occurs from an inadequate intake of food, conditions that deplete water such as nausea and vomiting, or disease processes that cause an excess of electrolyte amounts. The 52-year-old with diarrhea would be the client most likely to have an electrolyte imbalance. The orthopedic client will not likely have an electrolyte imbalance. Myocardial infarction clients will occasionally have electrolyte imbalance, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

What does the nurse understand is the primary method by which fluid volume is regulated?

Fluid volume is regulated primarily by the excretion of water in the form of urine and the promotion of thirst. Breathing, bowel elimination, and perspiration are methods the body uses to excrete fluid, but they are not the primary regulatory method for fluid volume.

The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of hyponatremia. What nursing intervention is appropriate to include in the plan of care for this patient?

For patients at risk, the nurse closely laboratory values (i.e., sodium) and be alert for GI manifestations such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. The nurse must be alert for central nervous system changes, such as lethargy, confusion, muscle twitching, and seizures. Neurologic signs are associated with very low sodium levels that have fallen rapidly because of fluid overloading. For a patient with abnormal losses of sodium who can consume a general diet, the nurse encourages foods and fluids with high sodium content to control hyponatremia. For example, broth made with one beef cube contains approximately 900 mg of sodium; 8 oz of tomato juice contains approximately 700 mg of sodium. If the primary problem is water retention, it is safer to restrict fluid intake than to administer sodium.

A priority nursing intervention for a client with hypervolemia involves which of the following?

Hypervolemia, or fluid volume excess (FVE), refers to an isotonic expansion of the extracellular fluid. Nursing interventions for FVE include measuring intake and output, monitoring weight, assessing breath sounds, monitoring edema, and promoting rest. The most important intervention in the list involves monitoring the respiratory status for any signs of pulmonary congestion. Breath sounds are assessed at regular intervals.

A patient has been involved in a traumatic accident and is hemorrhaging from multiple sites. The nurse expects that the compensatory mechanisms associated with hypovolemia would cause what clinical manifestations?

Hypovolemia, or fluid volume deficit, is indicated by decreased, not increased, blood pressure (hypotension), oliguria, tachycardia (not bradycardia), and tachypnea.

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

Implement prescribed interventions such as limiting sodium and water intake and administering ordered medications that promote fluid elimination. Assessing for dehydration and teaching to decrease urination would not be appropriate interventions.

The community health nurse is performing a home visit to an older client recovering from hip surgery. The nurse notes that the client seems uncharacteristically confused and has dry mucous membranes. When asked about fluid intake, the client states, "I stop drinking water early in the day because it is just too difficult to get up during the night to go to the bathroom." What would be the nurse's best response?

In elderly clients, the clinical manifestations of fluid and electrolyte disturbances may be subtle or atypical. For example, fluid deficit may cause confusion or cognitive impairment in the elderly person. There is no mention of medications in the stem of the question or any specific evidence given for the need for readmission to the hospital. Confusion is never normal, common, or expected in the elderly. Urinary retention does normally cause confusion.

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an older adult client newly admitted for end-stage liver disease. What principle should guide the nurse's assessment of the client's skin turgor?

Inelastic skin is a normal change of aging. However, this does not mean that skin turgor cannot be assessed in older clients. Dehydration, not overhydration, causes inelastic skin with tenting. Overhydration, not dehydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy.

When caring for a client who has risk factors for fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which assessment finding is the highest priority for the nurse to follow up?

Irregular heart rate may indicate a potentially life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmia. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium imbalances may cause dysrhythmias. Weight loss is a good indicator of the amount of fluid lost, confusion may occur with dehydration and hyponatremia, and blood pressure is slightly lower than normal (though not life threatening); in each case, following up on potential cardiac dysrhythmias is a higher priority.

Which is an insensible mechanism of fluid loss?

Loss of fluid from sweat or diaphoresis is referred to as insensible loss because it is unnoticeable and immeasurable. Losses from urination and bowel elimination are measurable. Nausea does not result in fluid loss, however if the client would develop emesis ( vomiting) this would be considered loss of body fluids and would need measured.

Below which serum sodium concentration might convulsions or coma occur?

Normal serum concentration level ranges from 135 to 145 mEq/L (135-145 mmol/L). When the level dips below 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L), hyponatremia occurs. Manifestations of hyponatremia include mental confusion, muscular weakness, anorexia, restlessness, elevated body temperature, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, and personality changes. Convulsions or coma can occur if the deficit is severe. Values of 140, 142, and 145 mEq/L (mmol/L) are within the normal range.

A nurse in the neurologic ICU has received a prescription to infuse a hypertonic solution into a client with increased intracranial pressure. This solution will increase the number of dissolved particles in the client's blood, creating pressure for fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries and increase the blood volume. This process is best described as which of the following?

Osmosis is the movement of fluid from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. Hydrostatic pressure refers to changes in water or volume related to water pressure. Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of greater concentration to lesser concentration; the solutes in an intact vascular system are unable to move so diffusion normally should not be taking place. Active transport is the movement of molecules against the concentration gradient and requires adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source; this process typically takes place at the cellular level and is not involved in vascular volume changes.

A client presents with fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and leg cramps. The laboratory values are as follows:sodium 142 mEq/L (142 mmol/L)potassium 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)chloride 106 mEq/L (106 mmol/L)Magnesium 2.3 mg/dL (0.95 mmol/L)What laboratory value is consistent with the client's symptoms?

Potassium is the major intracellular electrolyte. Hypokalemia (potassium levels lower than 3.5 mEq/L) usually indicates a deficit in total potassium stores. Potassium deficiency can result in derangements in physiology. Clinical signs include fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, muscles weakness, leg cramps, decreased bowel motility, and paresthesias. The sodium, chloride, and magnesium levels listed are within normal limits.

Which is a correct route of administration for potassium?

Potassium may be administered through the oral route. Potassium is never administered by IV push or intramuscularly to avoid replacing potassium too quickly. Potassium is not administered subcutaneously.

Which of the following electrolytes is the primary determinant of extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolality?

Sodium is the primary determinant of ECF osmolality. Sodium plays a major role in controlling water distribution throughout the body because it does not easily cross the intracellular wall membrane and because of its abundance and high concentration in the body. Potassium, calcium, and magnesium are not primary determinants of ECF osmolality.

The surgical nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. The client reports tingling in her lips and fingers. She states that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should the nurse first suspect?

Tetany is the most characteristic manifestation of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Sensations of tingling may occur in the tips of the fingers, around the mouth, and, less commonly, in the feet. Hypophosphatemia creates central nervous dysfunction, resulting in seizures and coma. Hypermagnesemia creates hypoactive reflexes and somnolence. Signs of hyperkalemia include paresthesias and anxiety.

A 73-year-old female patient with cirrhosis of the liver is evaluated for clinical manifestations of FVE. Which of the following signs are consistent with that diagnosis?

The blood pressure is increased with FVE. Crackles are abnormal lung sounds found in fluid retention. Hematocrit and BUN may be decreased due to plasma dilution.

A client with pancreatic cancer has the following blood chemistry profile: Glucose, fasting: 204 mg/dl; blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 12 mg/dl; Creatinine: 0.9 mg/dl; Sodium: 136 mEq/L; Potassium: 2.2 mEq/L; Chloride: 99 mEq/L; CO2: 33 mEq/L. Which result should the nurse identify as critical and report immediately?

The nurse should identify potassium: 2.2 mEq/L as critical because a normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Severe hypokalemia can cause cardiac and respiratory arrest, possibly leading to death. Hypokalemia also depresses the release of insulin and results in glucose intolerance. The glucose level is above normal (normal is 75 to 110 mg/dl) and the chloride level is a bit low (normal is 100 to 110 mEq/L). Although these levels should be reported, neither is life-threatening. The BUN (normal is 8 to 26 mg/dl) and creatinine (normal is 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dl) are within normal range.

A 64-year-old client is brought in to the clinic with thirsty, dry, sticky mucous membranes, decreased urine output, fever, a rough tongue, and lethargy. Serum sodium level is above 145 mEq/L. Should the nurse start salt tablets when caring for this client?

The symptoms and the high level of serum sodium suggest hypernatremia, (excess of sodium). It is necessary to restrict sodium intake. Salt tablets and sodium chloride IV can only worsen this condition but may be required in hyponatremia (sodium deficit). Hypotonic solution IV may be a part of the treatment but not along with the salt tablets.

The nurse is working on a burns unit and an acutely ill client is exhibiting signs and symptoms of third spacing. Based on this change in status, the nurse should expect the client to exhibit signs and symptoms of what imbalance?

Third-spacing fluid shift, which occurs when fluid moves out of the intravascular space but not into the intracellular space, can cause hypovolemia. Increased calcium and magnesium levels are not indicators of third-spacing fluid shift. Burns typically cause acidosis, not alkalosis.

A client has a serum calcium level of 7.2 mg/dl (1.8 mmol/L). During the physical examination, the nurse expects to assess:

This client's serum calcium level indicates hypocalcemia, an electrolyte imbalance that causes Trousseau's sign (carpopedal spasm induced by inflating the blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure). Homans' sign (pain on dorsiflexion of the foot) indicates deep vein thrombosis. Hegar's sign (softening of the uterine isthmus) and Goodell's sign (cervical softening) are probable signs of pregnancy.

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 or numbness in the fingers is a symptom of hypocalcemia. Flank pain, polyuria, and hypertension are symptoms of hypercalcemia.

The nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with fluid volume excess (FVE). Which nursing assessments should the nurse include in the ongoing monitoring of the client?

To assess for FVE the nurse measures blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and breath sounds; inspects the skin to look for edema and turgor; and inspects neck veins. Intake and output, daily weight, urine volume and color, dyspnea, and thirst are assessments that will assist the nurse in identifying improvement or worsening of the fluid volume excess. In addition, the nurse will be able to identify potential fluid volume deficit from overtreatment of the fluid volume excess.

Which laboratory result does the nurse identify as a direct result of the client's hypovolemic status with hemoconcentration?

When hemoconcentration occurs due to a hypovolemic state, a high ratio of blood components in relation to watery plasma occurs, thus causing an elevated hematocrit level. A high white blood cell count and urine specific gravity is also noted. Other causes of an abnormal potassium level may be present.