Electrolytes PrepU Adaptive Quizzing
The nurse is assigned to care for a client with a serum phosphorus concentration of 5.0 mg/dL (1.61 mmol/L). The nurse anticipates that the client will also experience which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypocalcemia
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 presents with fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and leg cramps. The laboratory values are as follows: sodium 147 mEq/L (147 mmol/L) potassium 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L) chloride 112 mEq/L (112 mmol/L) Magnesium 2.3 mg/dL (0.95 mmol/L)
potassium 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L)
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 with chronic renal failure has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. What should the nurse assess first?
Pulse
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)
The nurse is assessing the client for the presence of a Chvostek sign. What electrolyte imbalance would a positive Chvostek sign indicate?
Hypocalcemia
The nurse is instructing a client with recurrent hyperkalemia about following a potassium-restricted diet. Which statement by the client indicates the need for additional instruction?
"I will not salt my food; instead I'll use salt substitute."
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 is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia in the United States?
Alcoholism
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
The nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium concentration of 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L). The client is ordered to receive oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate and furosemide. What other order should the nurse anticipate giving?
Discontinue the intravenous lactated Ringer solution.
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
A physician orders regular insulin 10 units I.V. along with 50 ml of dextrose 50% for a client with acute renal failure. What electrolyte imbalance is this client most likely experiencing?
Hyperkalemia
A client with a magnesium concentration of 2.6 mEq/L (1.3 mmol/L) is being treated on a medical-surgical unit. Which treatment should the nurse anticipate will be used?
Intravenous furosemide
The nurse is caring for a client undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
Magnesium
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?
No, sodium intake should be restricted.
Which is a correct route of administration for potassium?
Oral
The nurse is reviewing client lab work for a critical lab value. Which value is called to the physician for additional orders?
Potassium: 5.8 mEq/L
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
What clinical indication of hyperphosphatemia does the nurse assess in a patient?
Tetany
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:
Trousseau's sign
A client presents with anorexia, nausea and vomiting, deep bone pain, and constipation. The following are the client's laboratory values. sodium 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L) potassium 4.6 mEq/L (4.6 mmol/L) chloride mEq/L (94 mmol/L) calcium 12.9 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L) What laboratory value is consistent with the client's symptoms?
calcium 12.9 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L)
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 nurse is caring for a client in acute renal failure. The nurse should expect hypertonic glucose, insulin infusions, and sodium bicarbonate to be used to treat:
hyperkalemia
A client reports muscle cramps in the calves and feeling "tired a lot." The client is taking ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) for hypotension. Based on these symptoms, the client will be evaluated for which electrolyte imbalance?
hypokalemia
