ATI Fluid and Electrolytes

ATI Fluid and Electrolytes Related

Review ATI Fluid and Electrolytes related questions and content

You are caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Your patient's plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to assess what aspect of the patient's health?

  • A. Nutritional status
  • B. Potassium balance
  • C. Calcium balance
  • D. Fluid volume status
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Assessing the specific gravity in a patient with SIADH helps the nurse evaluate the patient's fluid volume status. Specific gravity indicates the concentration of solutes in the urine and can detect if the patient has a fluid volume deficit or excess. Nutritional status, potassium balance, and calcium balance are not directly assessed through specific gravity testing. Nutritional status is typically evaluated through dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Potassium balance is assessed through blood tests and ECG monitoring. Calcium balance is evaluated through blood tests and bone density scans. Therefore, the correct answer is assessing fluid volume status through specific gravity testing.

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What is the main water-holding force in the blood capillaries?

  • A. Capillary blood pressure
  • B. Sodium in the blood plasma
  • C. Protein in the blood plasma
  • D. Chloride in the blood plasma
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protein in the blood plasma. Plasma proteins, especially albumin, create oncotic pressure, which is the main force responsible for holding water within the blood capillaries. Capillary blood pressure (Choice A) is involved in pushing blood through the capillaries, while sodium and chloride in the blood plasma (Choices B and D) are electrolytes and do not play a significant role in the water-holding force within capillaries.

Who would have the greatest percentage of body water?

  • A. an obese male
  • B. a nonobese male
  • C. a nonobese female
  • D. a newborn
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Newborns have a higher percentage of body water compared to adults due to their higher body fluid content. Factors such as the higher ratio of body surface area to body volume and lower body fat content contribute to this. This is why a newborn would have the greatest percentage of body water. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because obesity and gender do not determine the percentage of body water in individuals. Therefore, the correct answer is a newborn.

You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand, and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should you first suspect?

  • A. Hypophosphatemia
  • B. Hypocalcemia
  • C. Hypermagnesemia
  • D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The symptoms described, including tingling in the lips and fingers, intermittent spasms, and increased muscle tone, are indicative of tetany, which is a common manifestation of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can lead to neuromuscular irritability, causing symptoms such as paresthesias and muscle spasms. Hypophosphatemia primarily affects the central nervous system, resulting in seizures and coma. Hypermagnesemia typically presents with hypoactive reflexes and somnolence. Hyperkalemia can cause paresthesias and anxiety, but in this case, the patient's symptoms are more suggestive of hypocalcemia.

Which hormones increase the amount of water in the body?

  • A. ADH
  • B. Aldosterone
  • C. ANH
  • D. ADH and aldosterone
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, ADH and aldosterone. Both antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone increase water retention by the kidneys, thereby increasing blood volume. ADH acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, while aldosterone acts on the kidneys to promote sodium reabsorption, leading to water retention. Choice A, ADH, is partially correct as it alone increases water retention. Choice B, aldosterone, is also partially correct as it alone increases water retention. Choice C, ANH (atrial natriuretic hormone), actually decreases water retention by promoting sodium excretion and inhibiting aldosterone release.

How would a decrease in blood protein concentration impact the fluid volumes?

  • A. increase interstitial fluid volume.
  • B. decrease blood plasma volume.
  • C. decrease interstitial fluid volume.
  • D. increase interstitial fluid volume and decrease blood plasma volume.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A decrease in blood protein concentration would lead to a reduction in osmotic pressure, which is responsible for drawing fluid back into the capillaries. This decrease in osmotic pressure would result in an increase in interstitial fluid volume as fluid moves out of the capillaries, and a decrease in blood plasma volume as less fluid is drawn back into the circulation. Therefore, the correct answer is to increase interstitial fluid volume and decrease blood plasma volume. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not reflect the impact of decreased blood protein concentration on fluid volumes.

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