a female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure shes prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin lanoxin and furo

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Fluid and Electrolytes ATI

1. A female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure. She's prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Two days later, she tells her community health nurse that she feels weak and her heart 'flutters' frequently. What action should the nurse take?

A. Tell the patient to rest more frequently.
B. Advise the patient to discontinue digoxin and contact the physician.
C. Contact the physician, report the symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
D. Instruct the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the physician, report the patient's symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level. Furosemide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, can lead to hypokalemia, causing weakness and palpitations. Therefore, checking the potassium level is crucial in this situation. Simply telling the patient to rest more frequently won't address the underlying issue of potassium depletion. While digoxin can cause adverse effects, in this case, the symptoms are more likely related to furosemide-induced potassium loss. Instructing the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods may be beneficial in general, but it wouldn't directly address the potassium depletion that needs urgent attention.

2. A nurse evaluates a clients arterial blood gas values (ABGs): pH 7.30, PaO2 86 mm Hg, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. Assess the airway.
B. Administer prescribed bronchodilators.
C. Provide oxygen.
D. Administer prescribed mucolytics

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

3. You are caring for a patient who is being treated on the oncology unit with a diagnosis of lung cancer with bone metastases. During your assessment, you note the patient complains of a new onset of weakness with abdominal pain. Further assessment suggests that the patient likely has a fluid volume deficit. You should recognize that this patient may be experiencing what electrolyte imbalance?

A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hypophosphatemia
D. Hypercalcemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

4. Who would have the greatest percentage of body water?

A. an obese male
B. a nonobese male
C. a nonobese female
D. a newborn

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Newborns have a higher percentage of body water compared to adults due to their higher body fluid content. Factors such as the higher ratio of body surface area to body volume and lower body fat content contribute to this. This is why a newborn would have the greatest percentage of body water. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because obesity and gender do not determine the percentage of body water in individuals. Therefore, the correct answer is a newborn.

5. Which hormone is made in the pituitary gland and increases water absorption in the kidney?

A. Intracellular fluid
B. Interstitial fluid
C. Plasma
D. ADH

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, ADH (Antidiuretic hormone). ADH is produced by the pituitary gland and functions to increase water reabsorption in the kidneys. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not refer to a hormone responsible for increasing water absorption in the kidney.