Deck 9: Nursing Care of People With Altered Fluid, Electrolyte, Acid-Based Balance

Question 1

An older adult is at home after being diagnosed with a fluid volume excess. Which of the following should the community nurse instruct this person to do?

A)Try to sleep on one pillow.
B)Keep legs in a dependent position.
C)Avoid wearing shoes while in the home.
D)Wear support hose.

Answer 1

Wear support hose.

Question 2

A 28-year-old male is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. The nurse realises that this person may have a need for which of the following electrolytes?

A)Phosphate
B)Sodium
C)Potassium
D)Magnesium

Answer 2

Magnesium

Question 3

A person is admitted with an elevated serum sodium level caused by being stranded in rugged bushland for 5 days without a fresh water source. Which of the following is this person at risk of developing?

A)Cerebral bleeding
B)Hypertension
C)Tetany
D)Hyperventilation

Answer 3

Cerebral bleeding

Question 4

A person with fluid retention related to renal problems is admitted to the hospital. The nurse realises that this person could possibly have which of the following electrolyte imbalances?

A)Hypercapnia
B)Hypocalcaemia
C)Hypernatraemia
D)Hypophosphataemia

Question 5

A person is prescribed 40 mEq of potassium as a replacement. How should this be administered?

A)Rapidly to minimise blood vessel irritation
B)As a bolus dose directly into the venous access line
C)Mixed in the prescribed intravenous fluid
D)Via intramuscular injection

Question 6

A postoperative person is diagnosed with a fluid volume excess. Which of the following should the nurse expect to observe in this person?

A)Increased haemoglobin and haematocrit levels
B)Distended neck veins
C)Orthostatic hypotension
D)Oliguria

Question 7

A 35-year-old postoperative woman comes into the clinic after a parathyroidectomy. Which of the following should the nurse teach this person?

A)Limit consumption of salty foods.
B)Milk and milk-based products will help to provide an adequate calcium intake.
C)Lean red meat is the protein source of choice.
D)Minimise direct exposure to sunlight.

Question 8

A person is admitted for treatment of hypercalcaemia. What will this person's intravenous fluid most likely be?

A)0)9% sodium chloride
B)5% dextrose in water
C)Hartmann's solution
D)Lactated Ringer's solution

Question 9

The nurse is admitting a person who was diagnosed with acute renal failure. Which of the following electrolytes will be most affected with this disorder?

A)Sodium
B)Potassium
C)Calcium
D)Phosphorous

Question 10

A person is diagnosed with an elevated serum phosphate level. The nurse realises that this person might also have an imbalance of which of the following electrolytes?

A)Sodium
B)Calcium
C)Chloride
D)Potassium

Question 11

The nurse is reviewing a person's blood pH level. Which body system helps regulate blood pH?

A)Musculoskeletal
B)Renal
C)Neurological
D)Gastrointestinal

Question 12

An older adult does not complain of thirst. What should the nurse do to assess whether this person is dehydrated?

A)Check pupillary reactions.
B)Assess the urine-specific gravity.
C)Assess deep tendon reflexes.
D)Check for compensatory changes in respirations.

Question 13

An older adult with peripheral neuropathy has been self-medicating with magnesium supplements. The nurse realises that which of the following symptoms can indicate hypermagnesaemia?

A)Increased deep tendon reflexes
B)Tachycardia
C)Paraesthesias
D)Hypotension, warmth and sweating

Question 14

An older adult comes into the clinic complaining of watery diarrhoea for several days with abdominal and muscle cramping. The nurse realises that this person could be experiencing: which condition?

A)Hypocalcaemia
B)Hypernatraemia
C)Hypervolaemia
D)Hyponatraemia

Question 15

A postoperative person with a fluid volume deficit is prescribed progressive ambulation, yet is weak from the inadequate fluid status. What can the nurse do to help this person?

A)Contact physiotherapy to provide a walker.
B)Assist the person to maintain a standing position for several minutes at a time.
C)This person should remain on bed rest at the moment.
D)Assist the person to move into different positions in stages.

Question 16

A person who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin)is admitted with a low serum potassium level. Which of the following does the nurse realise might occur with this person?

A)Digoxin toxicity
B)Fluid volume deficit
C)The need for a diuretic
D)The possible need for a higher dose of digoxin (Lanoxin)

Question 17

An older adult with a history of sodium retention arrives at the clinic complaining of 'missed heartbeats' and leg tremors. Which of the following should the nurse ask this person regarding these symptoms?

A)'Are you feeling agitated?'
B)'When was the last time you had your bowels open?'
C)'Have you stopped taking your digoxin medication?'
D)'Are you using a salt substitute?'

Question 18

A person is admitted with burns over 50% of his body. The nurse realises that this person is at risk of which of the following electrolyte imbalances?

A)Hyponatraemia
B)Hypercalcaemia
C)Hypermagnesaemia
D)Hypophosphataemia

Question 19

An elderly person who is being medicated for pain had an episode of incontinence. What is this person at risk of developing?

A)Dehydration
B)Fluid excess
C)Faecal incontinence
D)Peripheral oedema

Question 20

The nurse assesses a person's recent weight loss as being 10 kilograms. How many litres of fluid did this person lose? ____________

Question 21

The blood gases of a person with an acid-base disorder show a blood pH outside of normal limits. Which of the following is correct? The person is:

A)experiencing aerobic metabolism.
B)fully compensated.
C)in metabolic distress.
D)partially compensated.

Question 22

An elderly postoperative person is demonstrating lethargy, confusion and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. Which of the following acid-base disorders might this person be experiencing?

A)Metabolic alkalosis
B)Metabolic acidosis
C)Respiratory alkalosis
D)Respiratory acidosis

Question 23

A person is prescribed 20 mEq of potassium chloride. Why is the person most likely receiving this replacement? To:

A)prevent phlebitis.
B)improve respiratory function.
C)help regulate acid-base balance.
D)improve urine output.

Question 24

A person's blood gases show a pH above 7.53 and a bicarbonate level of 36 mEq/L. Which acid-base disorder is the person demonstrating

A)Respiratory acidosis
B)Respiratory alkalosis
C)Metabolic acidosis
D)Metabolic alkalosis

Question 25

The nurse observes a person's respirations and notes that the rate is 30 breaths per minute and the respirations are very deep. What disorder might this person be experiencing?

A)Increasing carbon dioxide in the blood
B)Hypocalcaemia
C)Pain
D)Hyperkalaemia

Question 26

C