a nurse is caring for a patient who requires measurement of specific gravity every 4 hours what does this test detect

ATI RN

ATI Fluid and Electrolytes

1. A nurse is caring for a patient who requires measurement of specific gravity every 4 hours. What does this test detect?

A. Nutritional deficit
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Fluid volume status

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Specific gravity is a test used to determine the concentration of solutes in the urine, reflecting the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. Changes in specific gravity can indicate fluid volume status, such as dehydration (fluid volume deficit) or overhydration (fluid volume excess). Options A, B, and C are incorrect as specific gravity does not directly detect nutritional deficits, hyperkalemia, or hypercalcemia.

2. You are the nurse caring for a patient who is to receive IV daunorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent. You start the infusion and check the insertion site as per protocol. During your most recent check, you note that the IV has infiltrated so you stop the infusion. What is your main concern with this infiltration?

A. Extravasation of the medication
B. Discomfort to the patient
C. Blanching at the site
D. Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

3. You are the nurse evaluating a newly admitted patients laboratory results, which include several values that are outside of reference ranges. Which of the following would cause the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

A. Increased serum sodium
B. Decreased serum potassium
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Increased platelets

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

4. The nurse in the intensive care unit receives arterial blood gases (ABG) with a patient who is complaining of being 'short of breath.' The ABG has the following values: pH = 7.21, PaCO2 = 64 mm Hg, HCO3 = 24 mmol/L. The labs reflect:

A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis. A pH below 7.40, a PaCO2 above 40 mm Hg, and a normal HCO3 level (24 mmol/L) suggest respiratory acidosis. In this case, the patient has an acidic pH (7.21) and an elevated PaCO2 (64 mm Hg), indicating inadequate ventilation. The normal HCO3 level suggests that compensation by the kidneys has not occurred, implying an acute event. Choices B, C, and D can be ruled out based on the given ABG values and the criteria for acid-base disorders.

5. Which organ has the greatest effect on fluid output?

A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Skin
D. Intestines

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the kidneys. The kidneys are primarily responsible for regulating fluid balance by filtering blood and adjusting the volume and concentration of urine. The lungs primarily regulate gas exchange, not fluid balance. The skin plays a role in temperature regulation and protection but is not the primary organ for fluid output. The intestines are mainly involved in the absorption of nutrients and water, rather than fluid output.