Chapter 22: Fluids&Electrolytes NCLEX Christensen

Question 1

The body is divided into fluid compartments. Which compartment is the largest and contains fluid inside the cells within the body?

Intracellular
Extracellular
Interstitial
Intravascular

Answer 1

Intracellular

Question 2

The process that requires energy to move fluids, electrolytes, and other solutes across the semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cells is called:

Diffusion
Osmosis
Active Transport
Filtration

Answer 2

Active Transport

Question 3

The primary excretion routes for the electrolytes sodium and potassium are:

Liver
Perspiration
Feces
Kidneys

Answer 3

Kidneys. The kidneys are the primary route of excretion and affect how much is retained and how much is excreted.

Question 4

The physician has ordered and arterial blood gas (ABG) test on your patient. The pH level on the test comes back as 7.29. You know this to be…

Normal
Alkaline
Acidic
Buffered

Answer 4

Acidic. Normal pH balance of the blood 7.35 - 7.45. Anything below is acidic. Anything above is Alkaline

Question 5

Your patient has a history of fluid retention. What is the best way to monitor the water balance in the body?

Maintain strict I&O
Weigh daily after the morning shower
Record only what fluid is on the meal trays
Weigh weekly

Answer 5

Weigh q D p the morning shower. By weighing daily, a sudden change in weight will show an increase in fluid retention. Weighing needs to be the same time each day since there are fluctuations in weight throughout the day.

Question 6

The very young, the old, and obese are most at risk for:

Electrolyte Imbalance
pH Imbalance
Fluid Volume Excess
Dehydration

Answer 6

Dehydration. These groups of people have less fluid reserves, thus leading to fluid volume deficit.

Question 7

A head injury patient has been admitted to ICU with dyspnea, tachycardia, tremors, lethargy, and disorientation. The results of an arterial blood gas showed pH = 7.28, PaCO2 = 60 mm Hg, HCO3 = 22 mEq/L. What condition is suspected?

Respiratory Acidosis
Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis

Answer 7

Respiratory Acidosis. With respiratory acidosis. the pH is 45 mm Hg and the HCO3 is normal.

Question 8

The body has systems that work to keep the pH in the narrow range of normal. These systems include the:

Blood Buffers
GI Tract
Respiratory System
Kidneys

Answer 8

All but GI Tract

Question 9

Of all the electrolyte disorders, which disorder is considered the most dangerous and potentially fatal?

Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
HypoKalemia

Answer 9

Hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium and is considered the most dangerous. It can lead to serious arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Question 10

Your patient is admitted for dehydration. Which type of IV fluid might the physician order to expand the body’s fluid volume?

Hypertonic
Hypotonic
Isotonic
Pretonic

Answer 10

Isotonic. Isotonic solution is a solution of the same osmotic pressure that expands the body’s fluid volume without causing a fluid shift from one compartment to another.