Deck 7: Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

A nurse is caring for a client who has undergone cardiac surgery. Which is the best method to assess the client's fluid loss or gain?
1)Measuring body weight and vital signs every day
2)Recording blood pressure and calorie intake every day
3)Recording 24-hour fluid intake and output and calorie intake
4)Taking waist measurement and placing a Foley catheter

Answer 1

1

Question 2

A client is on digitalis, and the laboratory results show that the client is hypokalemic. Which effect does hypokalemia have on the drug administered?
1)It might cause pericarditis.
2)It can cause digitalis toxicity.
3)It can increase the effectiveness of digitalis.
4)It will have no effect on digitalis.

Answer 2

2

Question 3

A registered nurse is teaching a student nurse about the reason for the development of natriuresis. Which statement made by the student nurse indicates effective teaching?
1)"Natriuresis develops as a result of the excretion of large amounts of sodium."
2)"Natriuresis develops as a result of the excretion of large amounts of potassium."
3)"Natriuresis develops as a result of increased concentration of potassium and water in the blood."
4)"Natriuresis develops as a result of the reabsorption of sodium into the bloodstream."

Answer 3

1

Question 4

An adult client who has hypervolemia reports a headache, muscle cramps, and vomiting. The nurse notices confusion. Which condition has the client developed?
1)Hyponatremia
2)Hypernatremia
3)Hypokalemia
4)Hyperkalemia

Question 5

Changes in levels of which electrolyte can reduce the body's response to cardiac drugs?
1)Calcium
2)Sodium
3)Potassium
4)Magnesium

Question 6

A health-care provider prescribes IV potassium infusion for a hypokalemic client who is NPO (nothing by mouth). Which intervention by the nurse is correct when administering IV potassium?
1)First prepare a hypertonic potassium chloride IV bolus
2)Validate the preparation of diluted IV potassium solution
3)Administer 20 mEq of potassium chloride IV push before the IV
4)Promote an increase in oral intake of foods and fluids high in potassium

Question 7

The nurse is providing care for a client who reports severe vomiting and diarrhea for 4 days. Clinical manifestations and laboratory results indicate the client has hypokalemia. Which is the daily potassium requirement of humans for optimal cell functioning? 1.40 to 50 mEq
2)20 to 30 mEq
3)3.5 mEq
4)8.5 mEq

Question 8

A client's laboratory test results show overproduction of aldosterone. Which is the best nursing intervention to maintain serum electrolyte levels in the client?
1)Provide spironolactone
2)Recommend sodium-rich foods
3)Administer sodium chloride injection
4)Give magnesium sulfate injection

Question 9

A client has hypertension and elevated serum calcium concentration. Which condition is likely to occur in the client?
1)Osteopenia
2)Platelet dysfunction
3)Osteomalacia
4)Ventricular fibrillation

Question 10

A client's serum phosphorus level is 5.5 mg/dL. Which clinical manifestations does the nurse expect the client to exhibit?
1)Tetany and hypotension
2)Tetany and muscle weakness
3)Ataxia and hypertension
4)Muscle weakness and tremor

Question 11

During evaluation of a client who has undergone a bariatric surgery, the nurse finds that the client has an abnormally rapid heartbeat and hypotension. Which condition has the client developed?
1)Dehydration
2)Hypervolemia
3)Hypernatremia
4)Hyperglycemia

Question 12

The nurse suspects a client has pseudohypocalcemia. Which laboratory result does the nurse monitor as a probable cause of this condition?
1)Hyperkalemia
2)Hyponatremia
3)Hypophosphatemia
4)Hypoalbuminemia

Question 13

The nurse is providing care for a client in chemotherapy. The client is experiencing nausea and vomiting and reports numbness and tingling around the mouth. Before notifying the health-care provider, which is the most important assessment for the nurse to perform?
1)Perform a Chvostek's and Trousseau's test
2)Determine the current amount of fluid lost
3)Obtain a complete set of vital signs
4)Check for paresthesia in hands and feet

Question 14

The nurse is providing care for a client with cerebral edema. Which IV does the nurse expect to be prescribed?
1)Isotonic solution
2)Hypertonic solution
3)Hypotonic solution
4)Isotonic with glucose solution

Question 15

Which description of oncotic pressure is correct for the nurse to apply?
1)The pushing force exerted by water in the bloodstream
2)The pressure exerted by electrolytes in the bloodstream
3)The force exerted by albumin in the bloodstream
4)The pressure exerted by the solutes in solution

Question 16

A client has +3 pitting edema on the feet and ascites. Which is the most important laboratory value to be monitored by the nurse given this condition?
1)Hemoglobin level
2)Serum albumin level
3)Red blood cell count
4)White blood cell count

Question 17

The nurse is providing care for a client being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis. Assessment reveals the presence of tremors, muscle spasms, a positive Babinski's sign, and cardiac arrhythmias. Which condition does the nurse recognize?
1)Hypomagnesemia
2)Hypercalcemia
3)Hyperkalemia
4)Hypophosphatemia

Question 18

Which condition is called hypocalcemia?
1)Serum calcium less than 8.5 mg/dL
2)Serum calcium less than 2.5 mg/dL
3)Serum calcium less than 1.5 mg/dL
4)Serum calcium less than 1.0 mg/dL

Question 19

A client has increased serum phosphorus levels. Which condition related to hyperphosphatemia would the nurse expect to find in the client?
1)Hypocalcemia
2)Hypernatremia
3)Hypomagnesaemia
4)Hyperkalemia

Question 20

A client is running a high temperature and is found to have fluid volume deficit. Which signs and symptoms are likely to appear in the client because of fluid volume deficit? Select all that apply.
1)Orthostatic hypotension
2)Crackles in lungs
3)Dyspnea
4)Poor skin turgor
5)Dark urine with low specific gravity

Question 21

A client's serum magnesium level is 1 mg/dL. Which possible causes does the nurse recognize for this finding? Select all that apply.
1)Prolonged diarrhea
2)Laxative abuse
3)Liver failure
4)Hyperparathyroidism
5)Lack of vitamin D

Question 22

A registered nurse is teaching a student nurse about the effects of aldosterone. Which statements made by the student nurse are correct? Select all that apply.
1)"It increases blood volume."
2)"It increases blood pressure."
3)"It stimulates the excretion of sodium."
4)"It stimulates the reabsorption of potassium."
5)"It decreases renal perfusion."

Question 23

A client's serum sodium level is 140 mEq/L and serum glucose level is 90 mg/dL. The client's blood urea nitrogen is 12 mg/dL. Calculate the serum osmolality of the client. ____________________.

Question 24

A registered nurse is teaching a student how to analyze the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a hypokalemic client. Which statements made by the student nurse indicate effective teaching? Select all that apply.
1)"A prolonged PR interval will be observed."
2)"A flattened T wave will be observed."
3)"A prominent U wave will be observed."
4)"Widened P waves will be observed."
5)"A reduced PR interval will be observed."

Question 25

Which nutritional advice should the nurse give to a hypokalemic client? Select all that apply.
1)"Consume more orange juice."
2)"Add dried fruits to your diet."
3)"Consume more bananas and meat."
4)"Consume a low-protein diet."
5)"Add more salt to your diet."