Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client with laboratory values indicating dehydration. Which clinical symptom is consistent with the dehydration?
- A. Cool and pale skin
- B. Crackles in the lung fields
- C. Distended jugular veins
- D. Dark, concentrated urine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dehydration indicates a fluid volume deficit. Dark, concentrated urine indicates a lack of fluid volume. Adding more fluid would dilute the urine. The other options indicate fluid excess.
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The client's lab values are sodium $166 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$, potassium $5.0 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$, chloride $115 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$, and bicarbonate $35 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$. What condition is this client likely to have, judging by anion gap?
- A. Metabolic acidosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic alkalosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anion gap is the difference between sodium and potassium cations and the sum of chloride and bicarbonate anions. An anion gap that exceeds $16 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$ indicates metabolic acidosis. In this case, the anion gap is $(166+5)-(115+35)$, yielding $21 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$, which suggests metabolic acidosis. Anion gap is not used to check for respiratory alkalosis, metabolic alkalosis, or respiratory acidosis.
A client with hypervolemia asks the nurse what mechanism in the sodium potassium pump will move the excess body fluid. What is the correct answer from the nurse?
- A. Passive osmosis
- B. Free flow
- C. Passive elimination
- D. Active transport
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active transport is the physiologic pump that moves fluid from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration. Active transport requires adenosine triphosphate for energy. Passive osmosis does not require energy for transport. Free flow is transport of water naturally. Passive elimination is a filter process carried out in the kidneys.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is experiencing respiratory acidosis. The client asks what is making the acidotic state. What does the nurse identify as the result of the disease process that causes the fall in $\mathrm{pH}$ ?
- A. The lungs are unable to breathe in sufficient oxygen.
- B. The lungs are unable to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- C. The lungs have ineffective cilia from years of smoking.
- D. The lungs are not able to regulate carbonic acid levels.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In clients with chronic respiratory acidosis, the client's lungs are not able to regulate carbonic acid levels. The increase in carbonic acid leads to acidosis. In COPD, the client is able to breathe in oxygen, and gas exchange can occur, but the lungs' ability to remove the carbon dioxide from the system is limited. Although individuals with COPD frequently have a history of smoking, ineffective cilia is not the cause of the acidosis.
Which nursing action is anticipated by the nurse to restore colloidal osmotic pressure to clients with third-spacing?
- A. Initiate an IV of an isotonic solution.
- B. Initiate an IV of albumin.
- C. Manage an infusion of plasma.
- D. Manage an infusion of total parenteral nutrition.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer to restore colloidal osmotic pressure is to initiate an IV of albumin. Administration of albumin pulls the trapped fluid back into the intravascular space. An isotonic solution will not pull water from the intercellular space. Blood products are used for third-spacing management; however, albumin is the product of choice. The management of total parenteral nutrition is not associated with third- spacing.
The nurse is caring for a client with frequent dizziness. The nurse is evaluating the client for postural hypotension. Which of the following symptoms would indicate a potential diagnosis?
- A. A blood pressure elevation upon activity
- B. A drop in systolic blood pressure $(15 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$ ) upon rising
- C. A pulsating headache
- D. A drop in diastolic blood pressure $(25 \mathrm{mmHg}$ ) upon rising
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Postural hypotension occurs when the client rises from a supine or semi- Fowler's position to a standing position and the systolic blood pressure drops by $15 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$. The client has symptoms of dizziness or a near syncopal episode.