Exam 17: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances

A patient with renal insufficiency develops lethargy and somnolence with a blood pressure of 100/60, pulse 62, and respirations 10. The nurse notes that the patient has been taking an aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension (Maalox) for indigestion. The nurse anticipates that management of the patient will include IV administration of

A patient receiving iso-osmolar continuous tube feedings develops restlessness, agitation, and weakness. The laboratory data that will be of most concern to the nurse is

When developing a care plan for a patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), an intervention that will be important for the nurse to include is

The nurse has administered 3% saline to a patient with hyponatremia. Which one of these assessment data will require the most rapid response by the nurse?

Spironolactone (Aldactone), an aldosterone antagonist, is prescribed for a patient as a diuretic. Which statement by the patient indicates that the teaching about this medication has been effective?

Following a thyroidectomy, a patient complains of "a tingling feeling around my mouth." The nurse will immediately check for

The long-term-care nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of protein supplements on a patient who has low serum total protein level. Which of these data indicate that the patient's condition has improved?

A postoperative patient with a nasogastric tube connected to low, intermittent suction is complaining of anxiety and severe incisional pain. The patient has a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute. The arterial blood gases (ABG) are pH 7.50, PaO₂ 90 mm Hg, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, and HCO₃ 23 mm Hg. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

The home health nurse notes that an elderly patient has a low serum protein level. The nurse will plan to assess for

When assessing a patient with increased extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolality, the priority assessment for the nurse to obtain is

Intravenous potassium chloride (KCl) 40 mEq is ordered for treatment of a patient with hypokalemia. In administering the potassium solution, the nurse is aware that

When caring for an alert and oriented elderly patient with a history of dehydration, the home health nurse will teach the patient to increase fluid intake

The nurse working in the emergency department (ED) admits a patient with renal failure and a serum potassium level of 8.0 mEq/L. All these orders are received from the health care provider. Which order will the nurse implement first?

The IV therapy nurse is inserting a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) so that a patient can receive an IV solution containing 50% dextrose. When explaining the need for the PICC, the nurse will include the information that

A patient who has been receiving diuretic therapy is admitted to the ED with a serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Of the following medications that the patient has been taking at home, the nurse will be most concerned about

Following bowel surgery 2 days ago, a patient has been receiving normal saline intravenously at 100 ml/hr, has a nasogastric tube to low, intermittent suction, and is NPO. An assessment finding that indicates a need to contact the health care provider immediately is a

The nurse in the outpatient clinic who notes that a patient has a decreased magnesium level will ask the patient about

A patient is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, for treatment of hypertension. The nurse will teach the patient to report symptoms of adverse effects such as

A patient who has been NPO with gastric suction and IV fluid replacement for 3 days following surgery develops nausea and vomiting, weakness, and confusion and has a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L (125 mmol/L). The nurse reviews the health care provider's postoperative medication and IV orders. Which health care provider order should the nurse question?

A patient who has required prolonged mechanical ventilation has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48, PaO₂ 85 mm Hg, PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg, and HCO₃ 25 mEq/L. The nurse interprets these results as