a nurse is assessing clients on a medical surgical unit which client is at risk for hypokalemia
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation

1. While assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit, which client is at risk for hypokalemia?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Continuous nasogastric suctioning can lead to hypokalemia due to the loss of gastric contents rich in potassium. Therefore, a client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning is at risk for hypokalemia. Option B is incorrect because ACE inhibitors may lead to hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia. Option C is incorrect as receiving packed red blood cells can lead to hyperkalemia due to the potassium content in the blood product. Option D is incorrect because a serum pH level of 7.33 indicates acidosis, which is not directly associated with hypokalemia.

2. A nurse assesses a client who has a radial artery catheter. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

3. The renin and angiotensin systems help to maintain the balance of sodium and water in the body. What other functions do these systems serve?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintaining a healthy blood volume. The renin and angiotensin systems not only help to regulate sodium and water balance in the body but also play a crucial role in maintaining an adequate blood volume. This is essential for normal blood pressure regulation and overall cardiovascular health. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because hemoglobin levels are primarily regulated by the bone marrow and erythropoietin, platelets are released in response to blood vessel injury by a different mechanism, and the systems do not focus on lowering blood volumes but rather on maintaining them.

4. A nurse is assessing clients for fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Which client should the nurse assess first for potential hyponatremia?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the 34-year-old on NPO status receiving intravenous D5W because D5W is a hypotonic solution that can dilute the blood's sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia. Patients on NPO status rely solely on intravenous fluids for hydration, making them more susceptible to electrolyte imbalances. Choices B, C, and D are less likely to cause hyponatremia. Choice B, the 50-year-old with an infection on a sulfonamide antibiotic, is at risk for allergic reactions or renal issues. Choice C, the 67-year-old taking ibuprofen, is at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney problems. Choice D, the 73-year-old on digoxin with tachycardia, is more likely to experience digoxin toxicity, affecting the heart's rhythm.

5. A nurse is caring for clients with electrolyte imbalances on a medical-surgical unit. Which clinical manifestations are correctly paired with the contributing electrolyte imbalance? (Select all that do not apply.)

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

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