Unit 1, Fluids and Electrolytes
A group of nursing students are studying for a test over acid-base imbalance. One student asks another what the major chemical regulator of plasma pH is. What should the second student respond?
Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system
Maintaining fluid balance, especially in older adults , can be a challenge. Hypovolemia is best avoided as it can lead to hemoconcentration. Identify some of the life-threatening conditions that can result from development of hemoconcentration and hypovolemia. CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
Blood clots and Urinary calculi
A nurse is caring for a client who has a laboratory finding of serum potassium 5.4 mEq/L. The nurse should assess for which of the following clinical manifestations?
ECG changes
A 36 yr. old female is admitted with vomiting and dehydration due to the flu for three days. ABG's are: pH 7.46, PaCo2 50, HCO3 33, SaO2 95%. What do these values indicate to the nurse?
Metabolic alkalosis, partially compensated
The priority nursing intervention for a client with hypervolemia involves which of the following?
Monitoring respiratory status for signs and symptoms of pulmonary complications.
A patient has been involved in a traumatic accident and is hemorrhaging from multiple sites. The nurse expects that the compensatory mechanism associated with hypovolemia would cause what clinical manifestations? CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY
Oliguria, Tachycardia, Tachypnea
The calcium level of the blood is regulated by which mechanism?
Parathyroid Hormone
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
A patient's lab results show a slight decrease in potassium. The physician has declined to treat with drug therapy but has suggested increasing potassium through diet. Which of the following would be the best source of potassium?
Potatoes
A hospitalized client is at risk for respiratory alkalosis. How will this client's body attempt to restore the acid-base balance?
The client's kidneys will excrete more HCO3 to lower the pH.
A 57 year old homeless female with a history of alcohol abuse has been admitted to your hospital unit. She was admitted with signs and symptoms of hypovolemia- minus the weight loss. She exhibits a localized enlargement of her abdomen. What condition would she be presenting with?
Third-spacing
A client has a serum calcium level of 7.2 mg/dl. During the physical examination, the nurse should assess for which of the following signs or symptoms?
Trousseau's sign.
A patient who has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder has been drinking copious amounts of water and voiding frequently. The patient is experiencing muscle cramps, twitching, and is reporting dizziness. the nurse checks lab work for which of the following ?
electrolytes, particularly the serum sodium
Which of the following ABG results would the nurse expect to see when a client is admitted with diarrhea that has lasted for four days?
pH 7.30, PaCo2 40, HCO3 18
When evaluating arterial blood gases (ABGs), which value is consistent with alkalosis?
pH 7.48
