fluid &electrocytes Flashcards
- Which of the following best defines fluid and electrolyte balance?
A. The regulation of blood pressure and heart rate.
B. The process of maintaining the balance of intracellular and extracellular fluids.
C. The movement of electrolytes through active transport.
D. The regulation of sodium and potassium only.
B - Fluid and electrolyte balance involves maintaining the balance between intracellular and extracellular fluids.
- Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that influences fluid movement?
A. Osmosis
B. Diffusion
C. Filtration
D. Conduction
D - Conduction is not involved in fluid movement; diffusion, osmosis, and filtration are.
- A patient presents with dehydration. What are expected signs and symptoms? (Select all that apply)
A. Weight loss
B. Edema
C. Rapid, thready pulse
D. Hypotension
E. Bounding pulse
A, C, D - Dehydration leads to weight loss, rapid pulse, and hypotension; edema and bounding pulses are signs of fluid overload.
- True or False: Active transport requires energy to move solutes from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration.
True - Active transport requires energy to move solutes against a concentration gradient.
- Which of the following populations are at greatest risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances? (Select all that apply)
A. Infants
B. Elderly
C. Healthy young adults
D. Patients with renal disease
E. Patients with heart disease
A, B, D, E - Infants, the elderly, and patients with renal and heart disease are at higher risk.
- Which of the following lab values indicates hyponatremia?
A. Serum sodium of 148 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium of 136 mEq/L
C. Serum sodium of 129 mEq/L
D. Serum sodium of 145 mEq/L
C - A sodium level below 135 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia.
- What is the primary role of the kidneys in fluid and electrolyte balance?
A. Maintaining fluid osmolality by reabsorbing water and electrolytes.
B. Stimulating thirst and controlling ADH release.
C. Filtrating waste products only.
D. Increasing electrolyte output via perspiration.
A - The kidneys regulate water and electrolytes to maintain fluid osmolality.
- True or False: Hypovolemia results from excessive intake of fluids leading to fluid volume overload.
False - Hypovolemia results from fluid loss, not excessive intake
- Which of the following conditions can lead to hyperkalemia? (Select all that apply)
A. Renal failure
B. Use of potassium-sparing diuretics
C. Prolonged vomiting
D. Excessive sodium intake
E. Insulin therapy
A, B - Renal failure and potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia.
- A patient presents with crackles in the lungs, weight gain, and jugular vein distension. Which condition is most likely?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Fluid volume excess
D. Hypovolemia
C - These are classic signs of fluid volume excess.
- Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with fluid volume deficit?
A. Administer IV hypotonic fluids
B. Administer diuretics
C. Monitor daily weights and administer fluids as prescribed
D. Encourage fluid restriction
C - Monitoring daily weights and administering fluids help manage fluid volume deficit.
- Which of the following is a symptom of hypercalcemia?
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Tetany
C. Muscle cramps
D. Fatigue and lethargy
D - Fatigue and lethargy are common in hypercalcemia.
- True or False: Hypocalcemia can result in a positive Trousseau’s sign, characterized by carpal spasm.
True - Trousseau’s sign is a common finding in hypocalcemia.
- Which lab value would indicate hypokalemia?
A. Serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq/L
D. Serum potassium of 3.8 mEq/L
A - Hypokalemia is indicated by potassium levels below 3.5 mEq/L.
- Which of the following are common causes of dehydration? (Select all that apply)
A. Prolonged fever
B. Diarrhea
C. Diuretic overuse
D. Excessive water intake
E. Hemorrhage
A, B, C, E - Prolonged fever, diarrhea, and hemorrhage contribute to dehydration.
- True or False: Fluid volume excess can result in hypertension, dyspnea, and peripheral edema.
True - These are signs of fluid volume excess.
- What is the primary method for assessing overall fluid volume loss or gain in a patient?
A. Monitoring intake and output
B. Daily weight monitoring
C. Blood pressure measurement
D. Monitoring skin turgor
B - Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid volume changes.
- Which of the following lab results is consistent with dehydration?
A. Decreased hematocrit
B. Increased BUN
C. Decreased serum sodium
D. Decreased urine specific gravity
B - Increased BUN is a sign of dehydration
- What electrolyte is most prevalent in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Chloride
B - Potassium is the major intracellular cation.
- A patient with hypovolemia is experiencing dizziness, weakness, and confusion. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encouraging oral fluid intake and monitoring electrolyte levels
B. Administering hypertonic IV fluids
C. Restricting fluid intake
D. Administering diuretics
A - Increasing fluid intake and monitoring electrolytes are critical for managing hypovolemia.
- Which hormone is responsible for regulating water retention by the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C. Renin
D. Angiotensin II
B - ADH is the hormone that regulates water retention by the kidneys.
- A patient is diagnosed with hypernatremia. Which of the following would the nurse expect to find during the assessment? (Select all that apply)
A. Thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Hypertension
D. Muscle cramps
E. Altered mental status
A, B, E - Hypernatremia presents with thirst, dry mucous membranes, and altered mental status due to cellular dehydration.
- True or False: The hypothalamus controls fluid balance by stimulating the release of ADH in response to low blood osmolality.
False - ADH is released in response to high blood osmolality, not low.
- Which of the following patients is most likely to develop hypomagnesemia?
A. A patient with chronic alcohol use
B. A patient on potassium-sparing diuretics
C. A patient with hypothyroidism
D. A patient taking calcium supplements
A - Chronic alcohol use leads to increased risk of hypomagnesemia due to poor dietary intake and increased renal loss.
