Adult Health Ch. 13
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The client is being treated for a serum potassium concentration of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L). Which statement made by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
"I can use laxatives and enemas but only once a week."
Which solution is hypotonic?
0.45% NaCl
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?
1 L
A client has chronic hyponatremia, which requires weekly laboratory monitoring to prevent the client lapsing into convulsions or a coma. What is the level of serum sodium at which a client can experience these side effects?
114 mEq/L
The nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit (ICU) following a near-drowning event in saltwater. The client is restless, lethargic, and demonstrating tremors. Additional assessment findings include swollen and dry tongue, flushed skin, and peripheral edema. The nurse anticipates that the client's serum sodium value would be
155 mEq/L (155 mmol/L)
A patient is admitted with severe vomiting for 24 hours as well as weakness and "feeling exhausted." The nurse observes flat T waves and ST-segment depression on the electrocardiogram. Which potassium level does the nurse observe when the laboratory studies are complete?
2.5 mEq/L
A nurse correctly identifies a urine specimen with a pH of 4.3 as being which type of solution?
Acidic
The Emergency Department (ED) nurse is caring for a client with a possible acid-base imbalance. The physician has ordered an arterial blood gas (ABG). What is one of the most important indications of an acid-base imbalance that is shown in an ABG?
Bicarbonate
A client reports 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 client's laboratory work has returned?
Calcium
The physician has prescribed 0.9% sodium chloride IV for a hospitalized client in metabolic alkalosis. Which nursing actions are required to manage this client? Select all that apply.
Document presenting signs and symptoms. Maintain intake and output records. Compare ABG findings with previous results.
A nurse reviews the results of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for a patient who is being assessed for hypokalemia. Which of the following would the nurse notice as the most significant diagnostic indicator?
Elevated U wave
The nurse is caring for a client in heart failure with signs of hypervolemia. Which vital sign is indicative of the disease process?
Elevated blood pressure
Which laboratory result does the nurse identify as a direct result of the client's hypovolemic status with hemoconcentration?
Elevated hematocrit level
Hypokalemia can cause which symptom to occur?
Excessive thirst
Which nerve is implicated in the Chvostek's sign?
Facial
A nurse is caring for a client with metastatic breast cancer who is extremely lethargic and very slow to respond to stimuli. The laboratory report indicates a serum calcium level of 12.0 mg/dl, a serum potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L, a serum chloride level of 101 mEq/L, and a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L. Based on this information, the nurse determines that the client's symptoms are most likely associated with which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypercalcemia
Which intervention is most appropriate for a client with an arterial blood gas (ABG) of pH 7.5, a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of 26 mm Hg, oxygen (O2) saturation of 96%, bicarbonate (HCO3-) of 24 mEq/L, and a PaO2 of 94 mm Hg?
Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.
With which condition should the nurse expect that a decrease in serum osmolality will occur?
Kidney failure
A physician orders an isotonic I.V. solution for a client. Which solution should the nurse plan to administer?
Lactated Ringer's solution
A client hospitalized for treatment of a pulmonary embolism develops respiratory alkalosis. Which clinical findings commonly accompany respiratory alkalosis?
Light-headedness or paresthesia
The nurse is caring for a client with multiple organ failure and in metabolic acidosis. Which pair of organs is responsible for regulatory processes and compensation?
Lungs and kidney
The nurse is caring for a client undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
Magnesium
A client has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) values: pH, 7.12; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 40 mm Hg; and bicarbonate (HCO3-), 15 mEq/L. These ABG values suggest which disorder?
Metabolic acidosis
Which electrolyte is a major cation in body fluid?
Potassium
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 is being treated in the ICU 24 hours after having a radical neck dissection completed. The client's serum calcium concentration is 7.6 mg/dL (1.9 mmol/L). Which physical examination finding is consistent with this electrolyte imbalance?
Presence of Trousseau sign
A nurse reviews the arterial blood gas (ABG) values of a client admitted with pneumonia: pH, 7.51; PaCO2, 28 mm Hg; PaO2, 70 mm Hg; and HCO3--, 24 mEq/L. What do these values indicate?
Respiratory alkalosis
Which of the following arterial blood gas results would be consistent with metabolic alkalosis?
Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L
A patient with diabetes insipidus presents to the emergency room for treatment of dehydration. The nurse knows to review serum laboratory results for which of the diagnostic indicators?
Sodium level of 150 mEq/L
A nurse is conducting an initial assessment on a client with possible tuberculosis. Which assessment finding indicates a risk factor for tuberculosis?
The client had a liver transplant 2 years ago.
A client with severe hypervolemia is prescribed a loop diuretic and the nurse is concerned with the client experiencing significant sodium and potassium losses. What drug was most likely prescribed?
furosemide
A client who complains of an "acid stomach" has been taking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) regularly as a self-treatment. This may place the client at risk for which acid-base imbalance?
metabolic alkalosis
Fluid and electrolyte balance is maintained through the process of translocation. What specific process allows water to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area?
osmosis
Oncotic pressure refers to the
osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
When evaluating arterial blood gases (ABGs), which value is consistent with metabolic alkalosis?
pH 7.48
The nurse is analyzing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Which of the following ABG results indicates respiratory acidosis?
pH: 7.20, PaCO2: 65 mm Hg, HCO3-: 26 mEq/L
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 client has been admitted to the hospital unit with signs and symptoms of hypovolemia; however, the client has not lost weight. The client exhibits a localized enlargement of her abdomen. What condition could the client be presenting?
third-spacing
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 sensation in the fingers
Which is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia?
Alcoholism
Which findings indicate that a client has developed water intoxication secondary to treatment for diabetes insipidus?
Confusion and seizures
A client was admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of hypovolemia. When it is time to complete discharge teaching, which of the following will the nurse teach the client and family? Select all that apply.
Drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day. Respond to thirst Drink water as an inexpensive way to meet fluid needs.
Which could be a potential cause of respiratory acidosis?
Hypoventilation
The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes type I who is having severe vomiting and diarrhea. What condition that exhibits blood values with a low pH and a low plasma bicarbonate concentration should the nurse assess for?
Metabolic acidosis
The nurse on a surgical unit is caring for a client recovering from recent surgery with the placement of a nasogastric tube to low continuous suction Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur?
Metabolic alkalosis
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with a diagnosis of exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. Upon assessment of the client, the nurse notes the client has severely depressed respirations. The nurse would expect to identify which acid-base disturbance?
Respiratory acidosis
A client comes to the emergency department with status asthmaticus. His respiratory rate is 48 breaths/minute, and he is wheezing. An arterial blood gas analysis reveals a pH of 7.52, a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of 30 mm Hg, PaO2 of 70 mm Hg, and bicarbonate (HCO3??') of 26 mEq/L. What disorder is indicated by these findings?
Respiratory alkalosis
A client presents with anorexia, nausea and vomiting, deep bone pain, and constipation. The following are the client's laboratory values. sodium 137 mEq/L (137 mmol/L)potassium 4.6 mEq/L (4.6 mmol/L)chloride 94 mEq/L (94 mmol/L)calcium 12.9 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L) What laboratory value is of highest concern to the nurse?
calcium 12.9 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L)
Which is considered an isotonic solution?
0.9% normal saline
A patient's serum sodium concentration is within the normal range. What should the nurse estimate the serum osmolality to be?
275-300 mOsm/kg
A nurse can estimate serum osmolality at the bedside by using a formula. A patient who has a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L would have a serum osmolality of: (double the serum sodium value)
280 mOsm/kg.
The nurse is caring for a client with a serum sodium concentration of 113 mEq/L (113 mmol/L). The nurse should monitor the client for the development of which condition?
Confusion
An elderly client takes 40 mg of furosemide twice a day. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most serious adverse effect of diuretic use?
Hypokalemia
A client in the emergency department reports that he has been vomiting excessively for the past 2 days. His arterial blood gas analysis shows a pH of 7.50, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of 43 mm Hg, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) of 75 mm Hg, and bicarbonate (HCO3-) of 42 mEq/L. Based on these findings, the nurse documents that the client is experiencing which type of acid-base imbalance?
Metabolic alkalosis
Which is the preferred route of administration for potassium?
Oral
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?
Potassium
The nurse is analyzing the electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm tracing of a client experiencing hypercalcemia. Which ECG change is typically associated with this electrolyte imbalance?
Prolonged PR intervals
A nurse is reviewing a report of a client's routine urinalysis. Which value requires further investigation?
Urine pH of 3.0
A client with hypervolemia asks the nurse by what mechanism the sodium-potassium pump will move the excess body fluid. What is the nurse's best answer?
active transport
A nurse is providing client teaching about the body's plasma pH and the client asks the nurse what is the major chemical regulator of plasma pH. What is the best response by the nurse?
bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system
A client with emphysema is at a greater risk for developing which acid-base imbalance?
chronic respiratory acidosis
A client is taking spironolactone to control hypertension. The client's serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. What is the nurse's priority during assessment?
electrocardiogram (ECG) results
A client experiencing a severe anxiety attack and hyperventilating presents to the emergency department. The nurse would expect the client's pH value to be
7.50
