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Fluid and Electrolytes Study Guide
Fluid and Electrolytes Study Guide
5. The nurse is caring for a client who has been in good health up
to the present and is admitted with cellulitis of the hand. The client's
serum potassium level was 4.5 mEq/L yesterday. Today the level is 7
mEq/L. Which of the following is the next appropriate nursing action?
A.Call the physician and report results
B.Question the results and redraw the specimen
C.Encourage the client to increase the intake of bananas
D.Initiate seizure precautions
6. A client is receiving an intravenous magnesium infusion to
correct a serum level of 1.4 mEq/L. Which of the following assessments
would alert the nurse to immediately stop the infusion?
A.Absent patellar reflex
B.Diarrhea
C.Premature ventricular contractions
D.Increase in blood pressure
10. An older adult client admitted with heart failure and a sodium
level of 113 mEq/L is behaving aggressively toward staff and does not
recognize family members. When the family expresses concern about
the client's behavior, the nurse would respond most appropriately by
stating
A."The client may be suffering from dementia, and the hospitalization
has worsened the confusion."
B."Most older adults get confused in the hospital."
C."The sodium level is low, and the confusion will resolve as the levels
normalize."
D."The sodium level is high and the behavior is a result of
dehydration."
11. A client with a serum sodium of 115 mEq/L has been receiving
3% NS at 50 ml/hr for 16 hours. This morning the client feels tired and
short of breath. Which of the following interventions is a priority?
A.Turn down the infusion
B.Check the latest sodium level
C.Assess for signs of fluid overload
D.Place a call to the physician
15. A client admitted with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung has
a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dl. The nurse should instruct the client
to avoid which of the following foods upon discharge? Select all that
apply.
A.Eggs
B.Broccoli
C.Organ meats
D.Nuts
E.Canned salmon
19. A client with COPD feels short of breath after walking to the
bathroom on 2 liters of oxygen nasal cannula. The morning's ABGs
were pH of 7.36, PaCO2 of 62, HCO3 of 35 mEq/L, O2 at 88% on 2
liters. Which of the following should be the nurse's first intervention?
A.Call the physician and report the change in client's condition
B.Turn the client's O2 up to 4 liters nasal cannula
C.Encourage the client to sit down and to take deep breaths
D.Encourage the client to rest and to use pursed-lip breathing
technique
21. A client with renal failure enters the emergency room after
skipping three dialysis treatments to visit family out of town. Which set
of ABGs would indicate to the nurse that the client is in a state of
metabolic acidosis?
A.pH of 7.43, PCO2 of 36, HCO3 of 26
B.pH of 7.41, PCO2 of 49, HCO3 of 30
C.pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 35, HCO3 of 17
D.pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 56, HCO3 of 28
23. A client who suffers from an anxiety disorder is very upset, has a
respiratory rate of 32, and is complaining of lightheadedness and
tingling in the fingers. ABG values are pH of 7.48, PaCO2 of 29, HCO3
of 24, and O2 is at 93% on room air. The nurse performs which of the
following as a priority nursing intervention?
A.Monitor intake and output
B.Encourage client to increase activity
C.Institute deep breathing exercises every hour
D.Provide reassurance to the client and administer sedatives
28. The registered nurse is delegating nursing tasks for the day.
WHich of the following tasks may the nurse delegate to a licensed
practical nurse?
A.Assess a client for metabolic acidosis
B.Evaluate the blood gases of a client with respiratory alkalosis
C.Obtain a glucose level on a client admitted with diabetes mellitus
D.Perform a neurological assessment on a client suspected of having
hypocalcemia
31. Which of the following should the nurse include in the diet
teaching for a client with a sodium level of 158 mEq/L?
A.Pretzels
B.Baked chicken
C.Chicken bouillon
D.Baked potato
E.Baked ham
34. The nurse assists a client with a serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
to make which of the following menu selections? Select all that apply.
A.Baked cod
B.Ham and cheese omelet
C.Fried eggs
D.Baked potato
E.Spinach
41. The nurse writes the nursing problem of "fluid volume excess"
(FVE). Which intervention should be included in the plan of care?
A.Change the IV fluid from 0.9% NS to D5W.
B.Restrict the client's sodium in the diet.
C.Monitor blood glucose levels.
D.Prepare the client for hemodialysis.
42. The client is admitted with a serum sodium level of 110 mEq/L.
Which nursing intervention should be implemented?
A.Encourage fluids orally.
B.Administer 10% saline solution IVPB.
C.Administer antidiuretic hormone intranasally.
D.Place on seizure precautions.
46. The client is NPO and is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
via a subclavian line. Which precautions should the nurse implement?
Select all that apply.
A.Place the solution on an IV pump at the prescribed rate.
B.Monitor blood glucose every six (6) hours.
C.Weigh the client weekly, first thing in the morning.
D.Change the IV tubing every three (3) days.
E.Monitor intake and output every shift.
47. The client has received IV solutions for three (3) days through a
20-gauge IV catheter placed in the left cephalic vein. On morning
rounds the nurse notes the IV site is tender to palpation and a red
streak has formed. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A.Start a new IV in the right hand.
B.Discontinue the intravenous line.
C.Complete an incident record.
D.Place a warm washrag over the site.
48. The nurse and an unlicensed nursing assistant are caring for a
group of clients. Which nursing intervention should the nurse perform?
A.Measure the client's output from the indwelling catheter.
B.Record the client's intake and output on the I & O sheet.
C.Instruct the client on appropriate fluid restrictions.
D.Provide water for a client diagnosed with diabetes insipidus.
49. The client has been vomiting and has had numerous episodes of
diarrhea. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor?
A.Serum calcium.
B.Serum phosphorus.
C.Serum potassium.
D.Serum sodium.
52. A nurse caring for a client who has been receiving intravenous
diuretics suspects that the client is experiencing a deficient fluid
volume. Which assessment finding would the nurse note in a client
with this condition?
A.Lung congestion
B.Decreased hematocrit
C.Increased blood pressure
D.Decreased central venous pressure (CVP)
54. The nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure. On
assessment, the nurse notes that the client is dyspneic and that
crackles are audible on auscultation. The nurse suspects excess fluid
volume. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in this
client if excess fluid volume is present?
A.Weight loss
B.Flat neck and hand veins
C.An increase in blood pressure
D.A decreased central venous pressure (CVP)
58. A nurse instructs a client at risk for hypokalemia about the foods
high in potassium that should be included in the daily diet. The nurse
determines that the client understands the food sources of potassium if
the client states that the food item lowest in potassium is:
A.Apples
B.Carrots
C.Spinach
D.Avocado
69. A nurse reviews a client's laboratory report and notes that the
client's serum phosphorus level is 2.0 mg/dL. Which condition most
likely caused this serum phosphorus level?
A. Alcoholism
B. Renal insufficiency
C. Hypoparathyroidism
D. Tumor lysis syndrome