ATI RN
ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation Questions
Question 1 of 9
. A medical nurse educator is reviewing a patients recent episode of metabolic acidosis with members of the nursing staff. What should the educator describe about the role of the kidneys in metabolic acidosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - The kidneys excrete hydrogen ions and conserve bicarbonate ions to help restore balance. Rationale: 1. In metabolic acidosis, the blood pH is low due to excess acid in the body. 2. To restore pH balance, the kidneys excrete hydrogen ions (acid) and conserve bicarbonate ions (a base). 3. By excreting acid and retaining base, the kidneys help neutralize the excess acid in the body. 4. Option B accurately describes the role of the kidneys in metabolic acidosis. Incorrect Choices: A: Incorrect. The kidneys do not retain hydrogen ions in metabolic acidosis; they excrete them. C: Incorrect. While the kidneys do play a role in correcting imbalances, they do not react rapidly in metabolic acidosis. D: Incorrect. The kidneys do regulate bicarbonate levels, but this is not the primary action in metabolic acidosis.
Question 2 of 9
You are making initial shift assessments on your patients. While assessing one patients peripheral IV site, you note edema around the insertion site. How should you document this complication related to IV therapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Infiltration Rationale: 1. Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissues, causing edema. 2. Documenting infiltration is important for appropriate management. 3. Air emboli, phlebitis, and fluid overload are unrelated to edema around IV site. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A. Air emboli: This is a serious condition caused by air entering the bloodstream, not related to edema. B. Phlebitis: Inflammation of the vein, usually presenting with redness and pain, not edema. D. Fluid overload: Excess fluid volume in the body, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, not edema.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse assesses a client who is experiencing an acid-base imbalance. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.34, PaO2 88 mm Hg, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cardiac rate and rhythm. In an acid-base imbalance, the pH is below the normal range indicating acidosis. The nurse should assess the cardiac rate and rhythm first because acidosis can have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Acidosis can lead to arrhythmias and decreased cardiac output. Monitoring the cardiac rate and rhythm is crucial to detect any cardiac complications early. Choices B, C, and D are not the priority in this situation as they are not directly impacted by acid-base imbalances.
Question 4 of 9
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?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Extravasation of the medication. Extravasation occurs when the infused medication leaks into surrounding tissues, potentially causing tissue damage and necrosis. This is a serious concern with vesicant medications like daunorubicin. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications. Choice B: Discomfort to the patient is incorrect because while discomfort may occur with infiltration, the main concern is the potential for tissue damage from extravasation. Choice C: Blanching at the site is incorrect as it is a common sign of infiltration, but the main concern is the possibility of extravasation and tissue damage. Choice D: Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication is incorrect as it is a different type of reaction that is not directly related to infiltration or extravasation.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is assessing clients for fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Which client should the nurse assess first for potential hyponatremia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because intravenous D5W is a hypotonic solution that can lead to dilutional hyponatremia. D5W does not contain sodium, so it can cause a decrease in serum sodium levels. Clients on NPO status receiving D5W are at higher risk due to lack of sodium intake. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly contribute to hyponatremia. Sulfonamide antibiotics, ibuprofen, and digoxin are not typically associated with causing hyponatremia. Therefore, assessing the client on NPO status receiving D5W for potential hyponatremia is the priority.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed a central vascular access device. Which statement should the nurse include in this clients teaching?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C Rationale: 1. Choice C is correct because it emphasizes the importance of cleaning connections before accessing the device to prevent infection. 2. Sterile technique during insertion cannot guarantee no risk of infection (Choice B). 3. Wearing a sling is unnecessary for a central vascular access device (Choice A). 4. The statement about not being able to take a bath is not accurate and is not a common restriction (Choice D).
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has the following laboratory results: potassium 3.4 mEq/L, magnesium 1.8 mEq/L, calcium 8.5 mEq/L, sodium 144 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Read food labels to determine sodium content. The nurse should assess the client's sodium level of 144 mEq/L, which is slightly above the normal range. High sodium intake can lead to fluid retention, hypertension, and other health issues. By reading food labels to determine sodium content, the nurse can identify sources of high sodium intake in the client's diet and provide appropriate dietary recommendations. This assessment is crucial in managing the client's sodium levels and overall health. Assessing the client's dietary intake of foods high in potassium (Choice A) is not the priority in this case since the client's potassium level is within the normal range. Assessing the client's neuromuscular status (Choice B) is important but not the first priority when considering the electrolyte imbalances present. Assessing the client's fluid intake and output (Choice C) is also important but does not address the immediate concern related to the client's elevated sodium level.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is providing care for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When describing the process of respiration the nurse explains how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the pulmonary capillaries and the alveoli. The nurse is describing what process?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diffusion. In respiration, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries through the process of diffusion. Here's the rationale: 1. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. 2. In the alveoli, oxygen moves from the air (higher concentration) into the blood (lower concentration) and carbon dioxide moves from the blood (higher concentration) into the air (lower concentration). 3. This exchange occurs passively, without the need for energy input, which is characteristic of diffusion. Summary of other choices: B: Osmosis involves the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, not gas exchange. C: Active transport requires energy input to move molecules against their concentration gradient, not seen in gas exchange. D: Filtration involves the movement of molecules through a membrane under pressure, not the passive movement of gases in respiration.
Question 9 of 9
Place a washcloth between the skin and tourniquet
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because using a plastic bag to cover the extremity with the device helps to keep the area dry when bathing, preventing the tourniquet from becoming wet and losing its effectiveness. This technique maintains the pressure needed for venipuncture. A, providing a bed bath instead of a shower, is unrelated to the use of a tourniquet. B, using sterile technique for dressing changes, is important for wound care but not relevant to tourniquet use. C, disconnecting intravenous fluid tubing before a bath, is essential for preventing contamination but not directly related to tourniquet management.