Evolve HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Related

Review Evolve HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving isotonic intravenous (IV) fluids at an infusion rate of 125 mL/hour. The nurse performs an assessment and notes a heart rate of 102 beats per minute, a blood pressure of 160/85 mm Hg, and crackles auscultated in both lungs. Which action will the nurse take?

  • A. Decrease the IV fluid rate and notify the provider.
  • B. Increase the IV fluid rate and notify the provider.
  • C. Request an order for a colloidal IV solution.
  • D. Request an order for a hypertonic IV solution.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient is showing signs of fluid volume excess, indicated by crackles in both lungs, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. To address this, the nurse should decrease the IV fluid rate and notify the provider. Increasing the IV fluid rate would worsen fluid overload. Requesting colloidal or hypertonic IV solutions would exacerbate the issue by pulling more fluids into the intravascular space, leading to further volume overload.