Nokea
The nurse is reviewing lab work on a newly admitted client. Which diagnostic stud(ies) confirms the nursing problem statement of dehydration? Select all that apply.
- A. An elevated hematocrit level
- B. A low urine specific gravity
- C. Electrolyte imbalance
- D. Low protein level in the urine
- E. Absence of ketones in urine
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Dehydration is a common primary or secondary diagnosis in health care. An elevated hematocrit level reflects low fluid level and a hemoconcentration. Electrolytes are in an imbalance as sodium and potassium levels are excreted together in client with dehydration. The urine specific gravity, due to concentrated particle level, is high. Protein is not a common sign of dehydration. Ketones are always present in the urine.
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The nursing instructor is talking with the nursing class about fluid and electrolyte balance. What would the instructor tell the students that the average daily fluid intake for an adult is?
- A. 2000 mL
- B. 2500 mL
- C. 3000 mL
- D. 3500 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In healthy adults, oral fluid intake averages about $2500 \mathrm{~mL} /$ day; however, it can range between 1800 and $3000 \mathrm{~mL} /$ day, with a similar volume of fluid loss. $2000 \mathrm{~mL}, 3000 \mathrm{~mL}$, and $3500 \mathrm{~mL}$ are not the average amounts of fluid a healthy adult takes in daily.
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.
Which laboratory result does the nurse identify as a direct result of the client's hypovolemic status with hemoconcentration?
- A. Abnormal potassium level
- B. Elevated hematocrit level
- C. Low white blood count
- D. Low urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When hemoconcentration occurs due to a hypovolemic state, a high ratio of blood components in relation to watery plasma occurs, thus causing an elevated hematocrit level. A high white blood cell count and urine specific gravity is also noted. Other causes of an abnormal potassium level may be present.
The nurse is caring for four clients on a medical unit. Which client's laboratory reports does the nurse review first for an electrolyte imbalance?
- A. A 7-year-old with a fracture tibia
- B. A 65-year-old with a myocardial infarction
- C. A 52-year-old with diarrhea
- D. A 72-year-old with a total knee repair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Electrolytes are in both intracellular and extracellular water. Electrolyte deficiency occurs from an inadequate intake of food, conditions that deplete water such as nausea and vomiting, or disease processes that cause an excess of electrolyte amounts. The 52-year-old with diarrhea would be the client most likely to have an electrolyte imbalance. The orthopedic client will not likely have an electrolyte imbalance. Myocardial infarction clients will occasionally have electrolyte imbalance, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
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.