Midwifery Test Questions Related

Review Midwifery Test Questions related questions and content

A patient who has been in the intensive care unit for 17 days develops hyponatremic hyperosmolality. The patient weighs 132 lb (59.9 kg), is intubated, and is receiving mechanical ventilation. The serum osmolality is 320 mOsmL kg H2O. Clinical signs include tachycardia and hypotension. The adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners initial treatment is to

  • A. reduce serum osmolality by infusing a 5% dextrose in 0.2% sodium chloride solution
  • B. reduce serum sodium concentration by infusing a 0.45% sodium chloride solution
  • C. replenish volume by infusing a 0.9% sodium chloride solution
  • D. replenish volume by infusing a 5% dextrose in water solution.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: reduce serum sodium concentration by infusing a 0.45% sodium chloride solution. In hyponatremic hyperosmolality, the primary goal is to correct the low serum sodium levels. A 0.45% sodium chloride solution is hypotonic, which helps to slowly correct the serum sodium concentration without causing rapid shifts in osmolality. Infusing a hypotonic solution will gradually increase the serum sodium levels, addressing the underlying issue. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the low serum sodium levels, which is essential in treating hyponatremic hyperosmolality. Infusing a 5% dextrose in 0.2% sodium chloride solution (Choice A) or a 5% dextrose in water solution (Choice D) would not correct the low sodium levels. Replenishing volume with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution (Choice C) would not directly