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 unchara

ATI RN

ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation

1. 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:

2. A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for hypertension. For which acid-base imbalance should the nurse assess to prevent complications of this therapy?

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

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

3. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret the results?

A. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation
B. Metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis with no compensation
D. Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The given arterial blood gas results show a low pH, indicating acidosis, with normal pH range being 7.35 to 7.45. The low PaCO2 suggests alkalosis, while the low bicarb level indicates acidosis. In this scenario, the primary issue is the metabolic acidosis, as the pH bicarb relationship supports this. The compensatory response to metabolic acidosis is a decrease in PaCO2, leading to a respiratory alkalosis. Therefore, the correct interpretation is 'Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis.' Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the relationship between the pH, PaCO2, and HCO3 levels in the arterial blood gas results provided.

4. What is the main force that pushes fluid in blood capillaries?

A. Blood pressure.
B. Sodium in the blood plasma.
C. Sodium in the interstitial fluid.
D. Protein in the blood plasma.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, blood pressure. Blood pressure is the primary force that pushes fluid out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues. This pressure difference is essential for the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between the blood and tissues. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the primary force responsible for pushing fluid in blood capillaries.