a nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mgdl which provider order should the nurse implement first

ATI RN

ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL. Which provider order should the nurse implement first?

A. Encourage oral fluid intake.
B. Connect the client to a cardiac monitor.
C. Assess urinary output.
D. Administer oral calcitonin (Calcimar).

Correct answer: Encourage oral fluid intake.

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage oral fluid intake. With a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL, the client is at risk of hypercalcemia. Encouraging oral fluid intake helps to promote hydration and can help prevent further elevation of calcium levels. Connecting the client to a cardiac monitor (Choice B) is important but not the first priority in this situation. Assessing urinary output (Choice C) is relevant but does not address the immediate concern of high serum calcium levels. Administering oral calcitonin (Calcimar) (Choice D) may be a treatment option later, but the first step should be to address hydration.

2. Which negative ion is most abundant in blood plasma?

A. Bicarbonate
B. Chloride
C. Hydroxide
D. Phosphate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant anion in blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining osmotic balance and acid-base homeostasis. Bicarbonate (Choice A) is important for buffering acids in the body but is not the most abundant negative ion in blood plasma. Hydroxide (Choice C) is not typically found in high concentrations in blood plasma. Phosphate (Choice D) is an important anion in the body but is not as abundant as chloride in blood plasma.

3. When planning the care of a patient with a fluid imbalance, the nurse understands that in the human body, water and electrolytes move from the arterial capillary bed to the interstitial fluid. What causes this to occur?

A. Active transport of hydrogen ions across the capillary walls
B. Pressure of the blood in the renal capillaries
C. Action of the dissolved particles contained in a unit of blood
D. Hydrostatic pressure resulting from the pumping action of the heart

Correct answer: Hydrostatic pressure resulting from the pumping action of the heart

Rationale:

4. When considering overhydration:

A. occurs less often than dehydration.
B. can strain the kidneys.
C. can be caused by giving intravenous fluids too rapidly.
D. less common than dehydration.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Overhydration can occur when intravenous fluids are administered too quickly, overwhelming the body's ability to excrete the excess fluid. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration is less common than dehydration. Choice B is incorrect because while overhydration can strain the kidneys, it is not due to the burden being too heavy. Choice D is incorrect because dehydration is more common than overhydration.