ATI RN
ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation
1. 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:
2. . One day after a patient is admitted to the medical unit, you note that the patient is oliguric. You notify the acutecare nurse practitioner who orders a fluid challenge of 200 mL of normal saline solution over 15 minutes. This intervention will achieve which of the following?
- A. Help distinguish hyponatremia from hypernatremia
 - B. Help evaluate pituitary gland function
 - C. Help distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function
 - D. Help provide an effective treatment for hypertension-induced oliguria
 
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
3. While assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit, which client is at risk for hypokalemia?
- A. Client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning
 - B. Client who is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
 - C. Client in a motor vehicle crash who is receiving 6 units of packed red blood cells
 - D. Client with uncontrolled diabetes and a serum pH level of 7.33
 
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Continuous nasogastric suctioning can lead to hypokalemia due to the loss of gastric contents rich in potassium. Therefore, a client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning is at risk for hypokalemia. Option B is incorrect because ACE inhibitors may lead to hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia. Option C is incorrect as receiving packed red blood cells can lead to hyperkalemia due to the potassium content in the blood product. Option D is incorrect because a serum pH level of 7.33 indicates acidosis, which is not directly associated with hypokalemia.
4. 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.
5. 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:
Similar Questions
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