ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation Related

Review ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation related questions and content

A nurse in the neurologic ICU has orders to infuse a hypertonic solution into a patient with increased intracranial
pressure. This solution will increase the number of dissolved particles in the patients blood, creating pressure for
fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries and increase the blood volume. This process is best described as which
of the following?

  • A. Hydrostatic pressure
  • B. Osmosis and osmolality
  • C. Diffusion
  • D. Active transport
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Osmosis and osmolality. When a hypertonic solution is infused, it increases the number of dissolved particles in the blood, creating an osmotic pressure gradient. This causes fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries, increasing blood volume. Osmosis is the movement of solvent (water) across a semi-permeable membrane to equalize solute concentrations. Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in a solution.

Hydrostatic pressure (choice A) is the force exerted by a fluid against a wall when it is under pressure, not related to the movement of solutes.

Diffusion (choice C) is the movement of solute molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration, not involving a semi-permeable membrane.

Active transport (choice D) requires energy to move molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, not the mechanism described in the scenario.