Nclex electrolyte and acid/base

The nurse is caring for a client who needs a hypertonic intravenous (IV) solution. What solutions are hypertonic? Select all that apply

10% dextrose in water 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution

he nurse is obtaining the intershift report for a group of assigned clients. Which assigned client should the nurse monitor closely for signs of hyperkalemia?

A client admitted 6 hours ago with a 40% burn injury

The nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients. On review of the clients' medical records, the nurse determines that which client is most likely at risk for a fluid volume deficit?

A client with an ileostomy

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of dehydration, and the client is receiving intravenous (IV) fluids. Which assessment finding would indicate to the nurse that the dehydration remains unresolved?

A urine specific gravity of 1.043 The client who is dehydrated will have a urine specific gravity greater than 1.030. Normal values for urine specific gravity are 1.005 to 1.030.

The nurse is assisting in the care of a client with pheochromocytoma who has been experiencing clinical manifestations of hypermagnesemia. When evaluating the client, the nurse should determine that the client's status is returning to normal if which is no longer exhibited?

Areflexia

A client in the later stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has hyperkalemia. With CKD, what other factors besides tissue breakdown can cause high potassium levels? Select all that apply.

Blood transfusions Bleeding or hemorrhage Ingestion of potassium in medications Failure to restrict dietary potassium With CKD, factors other than tissue breakdown that can cause hyperkalemia include blood transfusions, bleeding or hemorrhage, ingestion of potassium in medications, and failure to restrict dietary potassium. Metabolic alkalosis and decreased sodium excretion are not contributing factors.

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF). Which signs and symptoms could indicate fluid overload? Select all that apply.

Bounding pulse Difficulty breathing Presence of dependent edema Neck vein distention in the upright position

The nurse is performing an assessment on a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect to note?

Changes in mental status

The nurse is caring for a group of clients on the clinical nursing unit. Which client should the nurse plan to monitor for signs of fluid volume deficit?

Client with diabetes insipidus

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of severe dehydration. The client has been receiving intravenous (IV) fluids and nasogastric (NG) tube feedings. The nurse monitors fluid balance using which as the best indicator?

Daily weight

During an assessment of a newly admitted client, the nurse notes that the client's heart rate is 110 beats/min, his blood pressure shows orthostatic changes when he stands up, and his tongue has a sticky, paste-like coating. The client's spouse tells the nurse that he seems a little confused and unsteady on his feet. Based on these assessment findings, the nurse suspects that the client has which condition?

Dehydration

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client with hypokalemia. Which interventions should be included in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

Ensure adequate fluid intake. Implement safety measures to prevent falls. Instruct the client about foods that contain potassium. Encourage the client to obtain assistance to ambulate.

The nurse is updating the client's plan of care based on the new onset of hypokalemia. Which priorities of care should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

Ensure adequate oxygenation. Provide assistance to prevent falls. Monitor medication administration of diuretics. Prevent complications during potassium administration. The priorities for nursing care of a client with hypokalemia are ensuring adequate oxygenation, client safety for fall prevention and potassium administration, and monitoring for complications related to diuretic therapy and client response to therapy.

The nurse is caring for a client in the early stages of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). At this stage, what medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed?

Heparin During the early phase of DIC, anticoagulants (especially heparin) are given to limit clotting and prevent the rapid consumption of circulating clotting factors and platelets.

The nurse is caring for a client whose magnesium level is 3.5 mEq/L (1.75 mmol/L). Which assessment finding should the nurse most likely expect to note in the client based on this magnesium level?

Loss of deep tendon reflexes

The nurse caring for a client with heart failure is notified by the hospital laboratory that the client's serum magnesium level is 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L). Which would be the most appropriate nursing action for this client?

Monitor the client for dysrhythmias.

The nurse is monitoring a client who is attached to a cardiac monitor and notes the presence of prominent U waves. The nurse assesses the client and checks his or her most recent electrolyte results. The nurse expects to note which electrolyte value?

Potassium 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate by intravenous infusion. The nurse notes that the magnesium level is 5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). On the basis of this laboratory result, the nurse should expect to note which in the client?

Respiratory depression The normal magnesium level is 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L). Neurological depression occurs in hypermagnesemia and is manifested by drowsiness, sedation, lethargy, respiratory depression, muscle weakness, and areflexia.

A client treated for an episode of hyperthermia is being discharged to home. The nurse determines that the client needs clarification of discharge instructions if the client states a need to perform which action?

Resume full activity level.

The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Nasogastric tube irrigations are prescribed to be performed once every shift. The client's serum electrolyte result indicates a potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L) and a sodium level of 132 mEq/L (132 mmol/L). Based on these laboratory findings, the nurse should select which solution to use for the nasogastric tube irrigation?

Sodium chloride

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client with chronic kidney disease before a hemodialysis treatment. The serum electrolyte levels are sodium 142 mEq/L (142 mmol/L), chloride 103 mEq/L (103 mmol/L), potassium 5.2 mEq/L (5.2 mmol/L), and bicarbonate 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L). What action should the nurse take?

Take no action.

Which client is at risk for the development of a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L (5.5 mmol/L)?

The client who has sustained a traumatic burn The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). A serum potassium level higher than 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L) indicates hyperkalemia. Clients who experience cellular shifting of potassium in the early stages of massive cell destruction, such as with trauma, burns, sepsis, or metabolic or respiratory acidosis, are at risk for hyperkalemia.

Which clients are most likely to be at risk for the development of third spacing?

The client with cirrhosis The client with liver failure The client with chronic kidney disease Fluid that shifts into the interstitial spaces and remains there is referred to as third-space fluid. Common sites for third spacing include the abdomen, pleural cavity, peritoneal cavity, and pericardial sac. Third-space fluid is physiologically useless because it does not circulate to provide nutrients for the cells. Risk factors for third spacing include clients with liver or kidney disease, major trauma, burns, sepsis, wound healing or major surgery, malignancy, gastrointestinal malabsorption, malnutrition, and alcoholic or older adult clients.

On review of the clients' medical records, the nurse determines that which client is at risk for fluid volume excess?

The client with kidney disease and a 12-year history of diabetes mellitus

The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to note in the client?

Twitching

The nurse caring for a client who has been receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics suspects that the client is experiencing a fluid volume deficit. Which assessment finding would the nurse note in a client with this condition?

Weight loss and poor skin turgor

The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube who has a prescription for NG tube irrigation once every 8 hours. To maintain homeostasis, which solution should the nurse use to irrigate the NG tube?

0.9% sodium chloride

A school nurse is teaching an athletic coach how to prevent dehydration in athletes during football practice. Which action by the coach during football practice would indicate that further teaching is needed?

Asks the athletes to take a salt tablet before football practice

A client who is at risk for fluid imbalance is to be admitted to the nursing unit. In planning care for this client, the nurse is aware that which conditions cause the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)? Select all that apply.

Dehydration Physiological stress Decreased blood volume ADH, or vasopressin, is produced in the brain and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. Its release from the posterior pituitary gland is controlled by the hypothalamus in response to changes in blood osmolarity. Stimuli for ADH release are increased plasma osmolality; decreased blood volume; hypotension; pain; dehydration from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and stress.

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results and notes that a client's serum sodium level is 150 mEq/L (150 mmol/L). The nurse reports the serum sodium level to the primary health care provider (PHCP), and the PHCP prescribes dietary instructions based on the sodium level. Which acceptable food items does the nurse instruct the client to consume? Select all that apply.

Peas Nuts Cauliflower A serum sodium level of 150 mEq/L (150 mmol/L) indicates hypernatremia. On the basis of this finding, the nurse would instruct the client to avoid foods high in sodium. Peas, nuts, and cauliflower are good food sources of phosphorus and are not high in sodium (unless they are canned or salted). Peas are also a good source of magnesium.

The nurse is monitoring the fluid balance of a client with a burn injury. The nurse determines that the client is less than adequately hydrated if which information is noted during assessment

Urine specific gravity of 1.032

Which client is at risk for the development of a sodium level at 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L)?

The client who is taking diuretics The normal serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L). A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L) indicates hyponatremia. Hyponatremia can occur in the client taking diuretics. The client taking corticosteroids and the client with hyperaldosteronism or Cushing's syndrome are at risk for hypernatremia.

The nurse is reading a primary health care provider's (PHCP's) progress notes in the client's record and reads that the PHCP has documented "insensible fluid loss of approximately 800 mL daily." The nurse makes a notation that insensible fluid loss occurs through which type of excretion?

3.Integumentary output Insensible losses may occur without the person's awareness. Insensible losses occur daily through the skin and the lungs. Sensible losses are those of which the person is aware, such as through urination, wound drainage, and gastrointestinal tract losses.

During an assessment of skin turgor in an older client, the nurse discovers that skin tenting occurs when the skin is pinched on the client's forearm. What should the nurse do next?

Check skin turgor over the client's sternum. In an older adult, skin turgor should be checked by pinching the skin over the sternum or even the forehead, instead of the back of the hand or forearm. As a client gets older, the skin loses elasticity and can tent over the hands and arms, even when the client is adequately hydrated.

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving high doses of a diuretic. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client has flat neck veins, generalized muscle weakness, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. The nurse suspects hyponatremia. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in a client with hyponatremia?

Hyperactive bowel sounds

The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which cardiovascular manifestation would the nurse expect to note?

Hypotension

The nurse reviews a client's laboratory report and notes that the client's serum phosphorus (phosphate) level is 1.8 mg/dL (0.58 mmol/L). Which condition most likely caused this serum phosphorus level?

Malnutrition The normal serum phosphorus (phosphate) level is 3.0 to 4.5 mg/dL (0.97 to 1.45 mmol/L). The client is experiencing hypophosphatemia. Causative factors relate to malnutrition or starvation and the use of aluminum hydroxide-based or magnesium-based antacids. Renal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and tumor lysis syndrome are causative factors of hyperphosphatemia.

A registered nurse (RN) has instructed an assistive personnel (AP) to administer soap suds enemas until clear to a client. The AP reports that 3 enemas have been administered and the client is still passing brown, liquid stool. What should the RN instruct the AP to do?

Stop administering the enemas until the primary health care provider (PHCP) is notified. Up to 3 enemas may be given when there is a prescription for enemas until clear. If more than 3 are necessary, the nurse should call the PHCP (or act according to agency policy). Excessive enemas could cause fluid and electrolyte depletion. Options 1 and 3 are incorrect for these reasons. An oil retention enema is an enema that is used to soften dry, hard stool and would have no use in this situation.

The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of a client with chronic kidney disease and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the laboratory value?

Tall peaked T waves Widened QRS complexes

The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory report and notes that the total serum calcium level is 6.0 mg/dL (1.66 mmol/L). The nurse understands that which condition most likely caused this serum calcium level?

Prolonged bed rest The normal serum calcium level is 9.0 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.75 mmol/L). A client with a serum calcium level of 6.0 mg/dL (1.66 mmol/L) is experiencing hypocalcemia. Prolonged bed rest is a cause of hypocalcemia. Although immobilization initially can cause hypercalcemia, the long-term effect of prolonged bed rest is hypocalcemia. End-stage renal disease, rather than renal insufficiency, is a cause of hypocalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism and excessive ingestion of vitamin D are causative factors associated with hypercalcemia.

The nurse provides instructions to a client with a low potassium level about the foods that are high in potassium and tells the client to consume which foods? Select all that apply.

Raisins Potatoes Cantaloupe Strawberries

The nurse is preparing to care for a client with a potassium deficit. The nurse reviews the client's record and determines that the client is at risk for developing the potassium deficit because of which situation?

Requires nasogastric suction

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client is dyspneic, and crackles are audible on auscultation. What additional manifestations would the nurse expect to note in this client if excess fluid volume is present?

An increase in blood pressure and increased respirations A fluid volume excess is also known as overhydration or fluid overload and occurs when fluid intake or fluid retention exceeds the fluid needs of the body. Assessment findings associated with fluid volume excess include cough, dyspnea, crackles, tachypnea, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, bounding pulse, elevated CVP, weight gain, edema, neck and hand vein distention, altered level of consciousness, and decreased hematocrit.

The nurse has a prescription to hang a crystalloid intravenous solution of lactated Ringer's on a newly admitted client. The nurse notices that the client has a history of alcoholic cirrhosis. What action should the nurse take first?

Contact the primary health care provider (PHCP).

A client is receiving an intravenous infusion of 1000 mL of normal saline with 40 mEq of potassium chloride. The care unit nurse is monitoring the client for signs of hyperkalemia. Which finding initially will be noted in the client if hyperkalemia is present?

Muscle weakness Because potassium plays a major role in neuromuscular activity, elevation in serum potassium initially causes muscle weakness. Mental status changes and confusion are most likely to be noted in the client experiencing hypocalcemia. Depressed deep tendon reflexes are noted in the client with hypermagnesemia.

The nurse aspirates 40 mL of undigested formula from the client's nasogastric (NG) tube. Before administering an intermittent tube feeding, what should the nurse do with the 40 mL of gastric aspirate?

Pour the aspirate into the NG tube through a syringe with the plunger removed. After checking residual feeding contents, the gastric contents should be reinstilled to maintain the client's electrolyte balance. The gastric contents should be poured into the NG tube through a syringe without a plunger and not injected by pushing on the plunger. Gastric contents are not mixed with formula or diluted with water and should not be discarded.

The nurse is caring for a client with hypocalcemia. Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the electrocardiogram as a result of the laboratory value? Select all that apply

Prolonged QT interval Prolonged ST segment The normal serum calcium level is 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.75 mmol/L). A serum calcium level lower than 9 mg/dL (2.25 mmol/L) indicates hypocalcemia. Electrocardiographic changes that occur in a client with hypocalcemia include a prolonged QT interval and prolonged ST segment. A shortened ST segment and a widened T wave occur with hypercalcemia. ST depression and prominent U waves occur with hypokalemia.

The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of an assigned client and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the laboratory value? Select all that apply.

Tall peaked T waves Widened QRS complexes The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). A serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L) indicates hyperkalemia. Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalemia include flat P waves, prolonged PR intervals, widened QRS complexes, and tall peaked T waves. ST depression and a prominent U wave occurs in hypokalemia. A prolonged ST segment occurs in hypocalcemia.

The nurse notes that a client's total serum calcium level is 6.0 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L). Which assessment findings should be anticipated in this client? Select all that apply.

Tetany Hypotension Prolonged QT interval Positive Chvostek's sign The normal total serum calcium level is 9.0 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.75 mmol/L); thus, the client's results are reflective of hypocalcemia. The most common manifestations of hypocalcemia are caused by overstimulation of the nerves and muscles; therefore, tetany and the presence of Chvostek's sign would be expected. Calcium is needed by the heart for contraction. When the serum calcium level is decreased, cardiac contractility is decreased and the client will experience hypotension. A low serum calcium level could also lead to severe ventricular dysrhythmias and prolonged QT and ST intervals on the electrocardiogram.

The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte laboratory report and notes that the potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). Which patterns should the nurse watch for on the electrocardiogram (ECG) as a result of the laboratory value? Select all that apply.

U waves Inverted T waves Depressed ST segment The normal serum potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). A serum potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L) indicates hypokalemia. Potassium deficit is an electrolyte imbalance that can be potentially life threatening. Electrocardiographic changes include shallow, flat, or inverted T waves; ST segment depression; and prominent U waves.