the nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance the most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is

ATI RN

Fluid and Electrolytes ATI

1. The nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance. The most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is:

A. Daily weight
B. Serum sodium levels
C. Measured intake and output
D. Blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Daily weight is the most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance because it can show trends over time, helping in assessing the effectiveness of interventions and medications. While serum sodium levels provide objective data on electrolyte balance, they may not accurately reflect fluid balance, especially if a patient is dehydrated. Measured intake and output are crucial for assessing fluid balance, but it can be challenging to match the two due to various ways fluid is lost from the body. Blood pressure and other vital signs may not always be reliable indicators of fluid balance as they can be influenced by other factors beyond fluid status.

2. The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?

A. Choose a hairless site if available.
B. Consider potential effects on the patients mobility when selecting a site.
C. Have the patient briefly hold his arm over his head before insertion
D. Leave the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

3. You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should you first suspect?

A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperkalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

4. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute pancreatitis and is at risk for an acid-base imbalance. For which manifestation of this acid-base imbalance should the nurse assess?

A. Agitation
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Seizures
D. Positive Chvosteks sign

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

5. What is the fluid inside the cell called?

A. Plasma
B. Intracellular fluid
C. Interstitial fluid
D. Plasma and intracellular fluid

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Intracellular fluid.' Intracellular fluid refers to the fluid contained within the cells, constituting a significant portion of the body's total water content. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Plasma is the liquid component of blood outside the cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid surrounding cells in tissues, and the combination of plasma and intracellular fluid is not the specific term for the fluid inside the cell.