Nokea
The nurse is caring for an older adult client in the home setting who is experiencing decreased thirst. Which type of fluid imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Dehydration
- B. Hypovolemia
- C. Hypervolemia
- D. Third spacing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should anticipate the presence of dehydration, which is the most common fluid imbalance in older adult clients that results from decreased thirst. Hypovolemia is a condition in which only the blood volume is low. Hypervolemia is when the intravascular fluid volume is too high. Third spacing describes the translocation of fluid from the intravascular or intercellular space to tissue compartments, where it becomes trapped and useless. It is associated with the loss of colloids.
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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 conducting a lecture on the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration. When completing a verbal comparison, which point needs clarified?
- A. Similar causes are present in both conditions.
- B. Hypovolemia contains only low blood volume.
- C. In dehydration, only extracellular is depleted.
- D. Both conditions result in abnormal laboratory studies.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In clients diagnosed with dehydration, all fluid compartments including the intracellular and extracellular compartment are reduced. The other options are correct. Both states can be from similar disease process such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea and difficulty swallowing and also have abnormal lab work. It is correct that hypovolemia relates to low blood volume.
The nurse is assigned a client with calcium level of $4.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}$. Which system assessment would the nurse ask detailed questions?
- A. Endocrine system
- B. Gastrointestinal system
- C. Neurological system
- D. Musculoskeletal system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A client with a calcium level of $4.0 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}$ has hypocalcemia. The nurse closely monitors the client with hypocalcemia for neurological manifestations such as tetany, seizures, and spasms. If the calcium level continues to decrease, seizure precautions are necessary. Cardiac dysrhythmias and airway obstruction may also occur.
The nurse is reviewing client lab work for a critical lab value. Which value is called to the health care provider for additional prescriptions?
- A. Potassium: $5.8 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$
- B. Sodium: $138 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$
- C. Magnesium: $2 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$
- D. Calcium: $10 \mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{dL}$
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal potassium level is 3.5 to $5.5 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$. Elevated potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness, paresthesias, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
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.