the nurse assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient should remember that
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Fluid and Electrolytes ATI

1. The nurse assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient should remember that:

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging. Dehydration, not overhydration, causes inelastic skin with tenting. Overhydration, not dehydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy. Normal skin turgor is dry and firm. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration does not cause the skin to tent; it is dehydration that leads to tenting. Choice B is incorrect because dehydration, not overhydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy. Choice D is incorrect because normal skin turgor is dry and firm, not moist and boggy.

2. 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:

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.

3. When does dehydration begin to occur?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Dehydration leads to a decrease in the body's fluid levels, causing the salivary glands to produce less saliva, resulting in a dry mouth. Therefore, when dehydration begins to occur, salivary secretions decrease. Choice A is incorrect because the body does not reduce fluid output to zero during dehydration; it tries to conserve fluids. Choice B is incorrect as dehydration does not directly increase the release of ANH (Atrial Natriuretic Hormone). Choice D is incorrect because salivary secretions do not increase but decrease during dehydration.

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

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.

5. Which of the following might the nurse assess in a patient diagnosed with hypermagnesemia?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diminished deep tendon reflexes. In a patient with hypermagnesemia, the nurse would assess for diminished deep tendon reflexes. Hypermagnesemia can lead to neuromuscular depression, causing a decrease in deep tendon reflexes. Tachycardia (choice B) is more commonly associated with hypomagnesemia. Cool clammy skin (choice C) is not typically a direct symptom of hypermagnesemia. While hypermagnesemia does involve increased serum magnesium levels (choice D), assessing serum levels is a laboratory test and not a clinical assessment like checking deep tendon reflexes.

Similar Questions

A patient is taking spironolactone (Aldactone) to control her hypertension. Her serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. For this patient, the nurse's priority would be to assess her:
A nurse is assessing clients for fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Which client should the nurse assess first for potential hyponatremia?
The ICU nurse is caring for a patient who experienced trauma in a workplace accident. The patient is complaining of having trouble breathing with abdominal pain. An ABG reveals the following results: pH 7.28, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3 23 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize the likelihood of what acidbase disorder?
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)?
The nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance. The most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is:

Access More Features

ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses