Fluid and Electrolyte Module 1

Which of the following is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia in the United States?

Alcoholism

The nurse is reviewing lab work on a newly admitted client. Which of the following diagnostic studies confirm the nursing diagnosis of Deficient Fluid Volume? Select all that apply.

An elevated hematocrit level Electrolyte imbalance

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 community health nurse is performing a home visit to an older client recovering from hip surgery. The nurse notes that the client seems uncharacteristically confused and has dry mucous membranes. When asked about fluid intake, the client states, "I stop drinking water early in the day because it is just too difficult to get up during the night to go to the bathroom." What would be the nurse's best response?

"Limiting your fluids can create imbalances in your body that can result in confusion. Maybe we need to adjust the timing of your fluids."

A client is to receive hypotonic IV solution in order to provide free water replacement. Which solution does the nurse anticipate administering?

0.45% NaCl

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 should assess the patient for signs of lethargy, increasing intracranial pressure, and seizures when the serum sodium reaches what level?

115 mEq/L

A client who is semiconscious presents with restlessness and weakness. The nurse assesses a dry, swollen tongue; body temperature of 99.3 °F; and a urine specific gravity of 1.020. What is the most likely serum sodium value for this client?

165 mEq/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

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

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

Which is the most common cause of symptomatic hypomagnesemia?

Alcoholism

Which of the following measurable urine outputs indicates the client is maintaining adequate fluid intake and balance?

A patient with a minimal urine output of 30 mL/hour

Which is an insensible mechanism of fluid loss?

Breathing

The nurse is caring for a client being treated with isotonic IV fluid for hypernatremia. What complication of hypernatremia should the nurse continuously monitor for?

Cerebral edema

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 adult client is brought in to the clinic feeling thirsty with dry, sticky mucous membranes; decreased urine output; fever; a rough tongue; and lethargy. The nurse reconciles the client's medication list and notes that salt tablets had been prescribed. What would the nurse do next?

Consider sodium restriction with discontinuation of salt tablets.

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a diagnosis of acute kidney injury. When reviewing the client's most recent laboratory reports, the nurse notes that the client's magnesium levels are high. The nurse should prioritize assessment for what health problem?

Diminished deep tendon reflexes

The nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium concentration of 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L) and a fluid volume excess. 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.

Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume excess (FVE)? Select all that apply.

Distended neck veins Crackles in the lung fields Shortness of breath

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. Drink water as an inexpensive way to meet fluid needs. Respond to thirst

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

Which nerve is implicated in the Chvostek's sign?

Facial

You are caring for a new client on your unit who is third-spacing fluid. You know to assess for what type of edema?

Generalized

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

The nurse is assessing the client for the presence of a Chvostek sign. What electrolyte imbalance would a positive Chvostek sign indicate?

Hypocalcemia

Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center, located in which of the following cerebral areas?

Hypothalamus

The nurse is working on a burns unit and an acutely ill client is exhibiting signs and symptoms of third spacing. Based on this change in status, the nurse should expect the client to exhibit signs and symptoms of what imbalance?

Hypovolemia

The nurse is conducting a lecture on the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration. When completing a verbal comparison, which point needs clarified?

In dehydration, only extracellular is depleted.

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an older adult client newly admitted for end-stage liver disease. What principle should guide the nurse's assessment of the client's skin turgor?

Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging.

While assessing a client's peripheral IV site, the nurse observes edema around the insertion site. How should the nurse document this complication related to IV therapy?

Infiltration

When caring for a client who has risk factors for fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which assessment finding is the highest priority for the nurse to follow up?

Irregular heart rate

Which sign suggests that a client with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion is experiencing complications?

Jugular vein distention

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

Your client has a diagnosis of hypervolemia. What would be an important intervention that you would initiate?

Limit sodium and water intake.

The nurse is caring for a client undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?

Magnesium

A priority nursing intervention for a client with hypervolemia involves which of the following?

Monitoring respiratory status for signs and symptoms of pulmonary complications.

The nurse is caring for a client with a secondary diagnosis of hypermagnesemia. What assessment finding would be most consistent with this diagnosis?

Shallow respirations

The nurse is assigned a client with calcium level of 4.0 mg/dL. Which system assessment would the nurse ask detailed questions?

Neurological system

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.

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.

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

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

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

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

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 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

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.

What does the nurse understand is the primary method by which fluid volume is regulated?

Urine excretion

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)

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

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 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 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.

Early signs of hypervolemia include

increased breathing effort and weight gain.

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

increases the client's desire to consume fluid.

A client with cancer is being treated on the oncology unit for bilateral breast cancer. The client is undergoing chemotherapy. The nurse notes the client's serum calcium concentration is 12.3 mg/dL (3.08 mmol/L). Given this laboratory finding, the nurse should suspect that the

malignancy is causing the electrolyte imbalance.

A nurse is monitoring a client being evaluated who has a potassium level of 7 mEq/L (mmol/L). Which electrocardiogram changes will the client display?

peaked T waves

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

A client's most recent laboratory results show a slight decrease in potassium. The health care provider has opted to forgo drug therapy but has suggested increasing the client's dietary intake of potassium. What should the nurse recommend?

Bananas

The surgical nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. The client reports tingling in her lips and fingers. She states that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should the nurse first suspect?

Hypocalcemia

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 of the following electrolytes is the primary determinant of extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolality?

Sodium

A client is experiencing edema in the tissue. What type of intravenous fluid would the nurse expect to be prescribed?

hypertonic solution

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 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

A client with excess fluid volume and hyponatremia is in a comatose state. What are the nursing considerations concerning fluid replacement?

Administer small volumes of a hypertonic solution.

A client has questioned the nurse's administration of IV normal saline, asking, "Wouldn't sterile water would be a more appropriate choice than saltwater?" Under what circumstances would the nurse administer electrolyte-free water intravenously?

Never, because it rapidly enters red blood cells, causing them to rupture.

A patient has been involved in a traumatic accident and is hemorrhaging from multiple sites. The nurse expects that the compensatory mechanisms associated with hypovolemia would cause what clinical manifestations? (Select all that apply.)

Oliguria Tachycardia Tachypnea

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

Hypokalemia

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

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

0.45% sodium chloride

Which is considered an isotonic solution?

0.9% normal saline

At which serum sodium concentration might convulsions or coma occur?

130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L)

The nurse is caring for a client with laboratory values indicating dehydration. Which clinical symptom is consistent with the dehydration?

Dark, concentrated urine

A nurse is caring for an adult client with numerous draining wounds from gunshots. The client's pulse rate has increased from 100 to 130 beats per minute over the last hour. The nurse should further assess the client for which of the following?

Extracellular fluid volume deficit

The nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to assess what aspect of the client's health?

Fluid volume status

In which of the following medical conditions would administering IV normal saline solution be inappropriate? Select all that apply.

Heart failure Pulmonary edema Renal impairment

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

What does the nurse recognize as one of the best indicators of the patient's renal function?

Serum creatinine

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

The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client who has been admitted to the unit for a fluid volume imbalance. The nurse knows which of the following is the most common fluid imbalance in older adults?

Dehydration

A nurse is providing an afternoon shift report and relates morning assessment findings to the oncoming nurse. Which daily assessment data is necessary to determine changes in the client's hypervolemia status?

weight

The nurse is assessing residents at a summer picnic at the nursing facility. The nurse expresses concern due to the high heat and humidity of the day. Although the facility is offering the residents plenty of fluids for fluid maintenance, the nurse is most concerned about which?

Insensible fluid loss