ATI RN
Fluid and Electrolytes ATI
1. A 65-year-old male patient was admitted to a medical-surgical unit 72 hours ago with pyloric stenosis; a nasogastric tube was inserted upon admission and has been on low intermittent suction since then. The nurse taking care of the patient notices that his potassium is very low and becomes concerned that the patient may be at risk for:
- A. Hypercalcemia
- B. Metabolic acidosis
- C. Metabolic alkalosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, metabolic alkalosis. The patient with pyloric stenosis has been on low intermittent suction, leading to the loss of hydrogen and chloride ions. This condition causes metabolic alkalosis due to the removal of these ions. Options A (Hypercalcemia) and D (Respiratory acidosis) are incorrect as they are not directly related to the scenario described. Option B (Metabolic acidosis) is also incorrect; in this case, the patient is at risk of metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrogen and chloride ions through gastric suction.
2. A nurse sees a variety of patients in the community health clinic. Which of the following patients would be at the greatest risk of dehydration?
- A. An 18-year-old basketball player with a stress fracture of the right foot
- B. An infant with diarrhea
- C. A 45-year-old with stomach flu
- D. An elderly patient living alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Infants are particularly vulnerable to dehydration due to diarrhea because they have a higher fluid turnover and less reserve. Option A, the 18-year-old basketball player with a stress fracture, is less likely to be at the greatest risk of dehydration compared to an infant with diarrhea. Option C, the 45-year-old with stomach flu, may experience dehydration but is not at the same level of risk as an infant with diarrhea. Option D, the elderly patient living alone, could be at risk of dehydration, but infants with diarrhea are at the greatest risk due to their unique physiological characteristics.
3. When preparing a site for the insertion of an IV catheter, how should excess hair at the site be treated?
- A. Leaving the hair intact
- B. Shaving the area
- C. Clipping the hair in the area
- D. Removing the hair with a depilatory
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to clip the hair in the area. Excess hair at the site of IV catheter insertion should be removed because it can be a potential source of infection. Clipping the hair is preferred over shaving because shaving can cause skin abrasions, increasing the risk of infection. Using depilatories is not recommended as they can irritate the skin, which is undesirable when preparing a clean site for an invasive procedure. Therefore, clipping the hair in the area is the most appropriate and safe method to prepare the site for IV catheter insertion.
4. A nurse in the medical-surgical unit has a newly admitted patient who is oliguric; the acute care nurse practitioner orders a fluid challenge of 100 to 200 mL of normal saline solution over 15 minutes. The nurse is aware this intervention will help:
- A. Distinguish hyponatremia from hypernatremia
- B. Evaluate pituitary gland function
- C. Distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function
- D. Provide an effective treatment for hypertension-induced oliguria
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering a fluid challenge in oliguric patients helps to distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function. This intervention aids in determining whether the oliguria is due to reduced renal blood flow (such as in fluid volume deficit or prerenal azotemia) or decreased renal function (such as in acute tubular necrosis). The response to this challenge can indicate the underlying cause. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the purpose of a fluid challenge in oliguric patients.
5. The community health nurse is performing a home visit to an 84-year-old woman recovering from hip surgery. The nurse notes that the woman seems uncharacteristically confused and has dry mucous membranes. When asked about her fluid intake, the patient states, I stop drinking water early in the day because it is just too difficult to get up during the night to go to the bathroom. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. I will need to have your medications adjusted so you will need to be readmitted to the hospital for a complete workup
- B. Limiting your fluids can create imbalances in your body that can result in confusion. Maybe we need to adjust the timing of your fluids.
- C. It is normal to be a little confused following surgery, and it is safe not to urinate at night.
- D. If you build up too much urine in your bladder, it can cause you to get confused, especially when your body is under stress.
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
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