Fluid and Electrolyte Health and Illness

Which is considered an isotonic solution?

0.9% normal saline

The physician has prescribed a hypotonic IV solution for a patient. Which IV solution should the nurse administer?

0.45% sodium chloride

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

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 client weighing 160 pounds (72.6 kg), who has been diagnosed with hypovolemia, is weighed every day. The health care provider asked to be notified if the client loses 1,000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. What weight would be consistent with this amount of fluid loss?

158 lbs (71.7 kg)

The nurse knows which is the normal serum value for potassium?

3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5-5.0 mmol/L).

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

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

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?

A 52-year-old with diarrhea

Which of the following measurable urine output recorded indicates the patient is maintaining adeaquate fluid intake and balance?

A patient with a minimal urine output of 50 mL/hour A client with minimal urine output of 50 mL/hour provides the nurse with the information that the patient is maintaining proper fluid balance. Less then 50 ml /hour of urine output indicates dehydration and possible poor kidney function.

A nurse correctly identifies a urine specimen with a pH of 4.3 as being which type of solution?

Acidic Normal urine pH is 4.5 to 8.0; a value of 4.3 reveals acidic urine pH. A pH above 7.0 is considered an alkaline or basic solution. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral.

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

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 The normal reference range for serum calcium is 8.6 to 10.2 mg/dl. A serum calcium level of 12 mg/dl clearly indicates hypercalcemia.

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with a possible clotting disorder. The client is complaining of excessive bleeding and bruising without cause. The nurse knows to take extra care to check for signs of bruising or bleeding in what condition?

Hypocalcemia Hypocalcemia or low serum calcium levels can affect clotting. Therefore, in this condition, the nurse should take extra care to check for bruising or bleeding.

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

Hypokalemia

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. The ABG results reveal respiratory alkalosis. The best intervention to raise the PaCO2 level would be to have the client breathe into a paper bag.

A client hospitalized for treatment of a pulmonary embolism develops respiratory alkalosis. Which clinical findings commonly accompany respiratory alkalosis?

Light-headedness or paresthesia

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

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

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 of the following would be appropriate nursing interventions for a client with hypokalemia? Select all that apply.

Offer a diet with fruit juices and citrus fruits. Monitor intake and output every shift.

Which is a correct route of administration for potassium?

Oral

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 After radical neck resection, a client is prone to developing hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is defined as a serum value <8.6 mg/dL (<2.15 mmol/L). Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia include Chvostek sign,

A nurse is caring for a client with acute renal failure and hypernatremia. In this case, which action can be delegated to the nursing assistant?

Provide oral care every 2-3 hours.

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

Which of the following arterial blood gas results would be consistent with metabolic alkalosis?

Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L Evaluation of arterial blood gases reveals a pH greater than 7.45 and a serum bicarbonate concentration greater than 26 mEq/L.

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

Serum potassium level of 3 mEq/L

To compensate for decreased fluid volume (hypovolemia), the nurse can anticipate which response by the body?

Tachycardia Fluid volume deficit, or hypovolemia, occurs when the loss of extracellular fluid exceeds the intake of fluid. Clinical signs include oliguia, rapid heart rate, vasoconstriction, cool and clammy skin, and muscle weakness. The nurse monitors for rapid, weak pulse and orthostatic hypotension.

What clinical indication of hyperphosphatemia does the nurse assess in a patient?

Tetany Tetany is a symptom of hyperphosphatemia. Bone pain, peresthesia, and seizures are associated with hypophosphatemia.

Treatment of FVE involves dietary restriction of sodium. Which of the following food choices would be part of a low-sodium diet, mild restriction (2 to 3 g/day)?

Three ounces of light or dark meat chicken, 1 cup of spaghetti and a garden salad

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

Clients diagnosed with hypervolemia should avoid sweet or dry food because it

increases the client's desire to consume fluid. The management goal in hypervolemia is to reduce fluid volume. For this reason, fluid is rationed and the client is advised to take a limited amount of fluid when thirsty. Sweet or dry food can increase the client's desire to consume fluid.

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

To confirm an acid-base imbalance, it is necessary to assess which findings from a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) results? Select all that apply.

pH PaCO2 HCO3

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

Below which serum sodium concentration might convulsions or coma occur?

135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L) 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 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 A client with pneumonia may hyperventilate in an effort to increase oxygen intake. Hyperventilation leads to excess carbon dioxide (CO2) loss, which causes alkalosis — indicated by this client's elevated pH value. With respiratory alkalosis, the kidneys' bicarbonate (HCO3-) response is delayed, so the client's HCO3- level remains normal. The below-normal value for the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) indicates CO2 loss and signals a respiratory component. Because the HCO3- level is normal, this imbalance has no metabolic component.

A client with a history of anxiety experiences respiratory alkalosis. The nurse measures a respiratory rate of 46 breaths/minute, a heart rate of 110 beats/minute, a blood pressure of 162/90 mm Hg, and a temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). To help correct respiratory alkalosis, the nurse should:

instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.

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:

280 mOsm/kg. Serum osmolality can be estimated by doubling the serum sodium or using the formula: Na × 2 = glucose/18 + BUN/3. Therefore, the nurse could estimate a serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg by doubling the serum sodium value of 140 mEq/L.

To evaluate a client for hypoxia, the physician is most likely to order which laboratory test?

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis Red blood cell count, sputum culture, total hemoglobin, and ABG analysis all help evaluate a client with respiratory problems. However, ABG analysis is the only test that evaluates gas exchange in the lungs, providing information about the client's oxygenation status.

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 Arterial blood gas (ABG) results are the main tool for measuring blood pH, CO2 content (PaCO2), and bicarbonate

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? Select all that apply.

Blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm Intake and output, urine volume, and color Skin assessment for edema and turgor

Which is an insensible mechanism of fluid loss?

Breathing 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.

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.

Compare ABG findings with previous results. Maintain intake and output records. Document presenting signs and symptoms.

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

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? Select all that apply.

Crackles Hematocrit level of 32% Blood pressure of 140/110 BUN of 8 mg/dL 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.

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?

Dehydration 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.

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

Fruits such as bananas and apricots

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. Respiratory acidosis is associated with hypoventilation; in this client, hypoventilation suggests intake of a drug that has suppressed the brain's respiratory center. Therefore, the nurse should assume the client has respiratory depression and should prepare to assist with ventilation. After the client's respiratory function has been stabilized, the nurse can safely monitor the heart rhythm, prepare for gastric lavage, and obtain a urine specimen for drug screening.

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 history of immunocompromised status, such as that which occurs with liver transplantation, places the client at a higher risk for contracting tuberculosis

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 Although changes in all these findings are seen in hyperkalemia, ECG results should take priority because changes can indicate potentially lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation.

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 Furosemide is the only loop diuretic choice. Hydrochlorothiazide and metolazone are thiazide diuretics that block sodium reabsorption. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that prevents sodium absoprtion.

When evaluating arterial blood gases (ABGs), which value is consistent with metabolic alkalosis?

pH 7.48 Metabolic alkalosis is a clinical disturbance characterized by a high pH and high plasma bicarbonate concentration. The HCO value is below normal. The PaCO value and the oxygen saturation level are within a normal range.

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 Third-spacing describes the translocation of fluid from the intravascular or intercellular space to tissue compartments, where it becomes trapped and useless. The client manifests signs and symptoms of hypovolemia with the exception of weight loss. There may be signs of localized enlargement of organ cavities (such as the abdomen) if they fill with fluid, a condition referred to as ascites

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