ATI RN
ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse assesses a client who is admitted for treatment of fluid overload. Which manifestations should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that do not apply.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Fluid overload leads to increased fluid volume in the body, causing skin to appear pale, cool, and clammy due to poor circulation. Step 2: "Warm and pink skin" is not a typical manifestation of fluid overload. Step 3: Therefore, the correct answer is C. Summary: A: Increased pulse rate - Possible in fluid overload due to increased volume causing increased workload on the heart. B: Distended neck veins - Common in fluid overload due to increased venous pressure. C: Warm and pink skin - Incorrect, as skin is usually pale, cool, and clammy. D: Skeletal muscle weakness - Not directly related to fluid overload.
Question 2 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 3 of 9
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?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Kussmaul respirations. In acute pancreatitis, metabolic acidosis can occur due to the release of pancreatic enzymes. Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that help to blow off excess carbon dioxide in response to acidosis, aiming to correct the pH imbalance. Agitation (A) is a nonspecific symptom and not specific to acid-base imbalances. Seizures (C) are more commonly associated with electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia or hypocalcemia. Positive Chvostek's sign (D) is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia, not directly related to acid-base imbalances in acute pancreatitis.
Question 4 of 9
You are caring for a patient who is being treated on the oncology unit with a diagnosis of lung cancer with bone metastases. During your assessment, you note the patient complains of a new onset of weakness with abdominal pain. Further assessment suggests that the patient likely has a fluid volume deficit. You should recognize that this patient may be experiencing what electrolyte imbalance?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hypercalcemia. Bone metastases in lung cancer can lead to increased release of calcium into the blood, causing hypercalcemia. The patient's symptoms of weakness and abdominal pain are consistent with hypercalcemia. Hypernatremia (choice A) is unlikely as the symptoms do not align with high sodium levels. Hypomagnesemia (choice B) and hypophosphatemia (choice C) are less likely as they are not typically associated with bone metastases in lung cancer. In summary, the patient's presentation of weakness and abdominal pain in the setting of lung cancer with bone metastases points to hypercalcemia as the most likely electrolyte imbalance.
Question 5 of 9
A medical-surgical nurse is concerned about the incidence of complications related to IV therapy, including bloodstream infection. Which intervention should the nurse suggest to the management team to make the biggest impact on decreasing complications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Initiate a dedicated team to insert access devices. This intervention is the most effective in decreasing complications related to IV therapy because having a dedicated team specialized in inserting access devices ensures that the procedure is done correctly each time, reducing the risk of complications such as bloodstream infections. Choice B is not as effective because additional education for all nurses may not guarantee consistent skill levels in IV insertion. Choice C may limit access but does not address the root cause of complications. Choice D focuses on skin preparation, which is important but not as impactful as having a specialized team for IV insertion.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is admitted with moderate dehydration. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent injury while in the hospital?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because dangling the client on the bedside before ambulating helps prevent orthostatic hypotension and potential falls. This step allows the nurse to assess the client's tolerance to changes in position and reduces the risk of injury. A: Asking family members to speak quietly does not directly address the prevention of injury related to dehydration. B: Assessing urine parameters is important for monitoring hydration status but does not directly prevent injury. C: Encouraging fluid intake is important for rehydration but does not directly address the risk of injury during ambulation.
Question 7 of 9
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?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypocalcemia. Following a thyroidectomy, there is a risk of damaging the parathyroid glands, leading to hypocalcemia. Symptoms such as tingling in lips and fingers, muscle spasms, and increased muscle tone are classic signs of hypocalcemia. The initial concern should be hypocalcemia due to its potential to cause serious complications such as tetany and laryngospasm. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the symptoms described. Hypophosphatemia may present with weakness and respiratory failure, hypermagnesemia with hypotension and respiratory depression, and hyperkalemia with muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 8 of 9
. You are caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Your patients plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to as
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fluid volume status. Assessment of specific gravity helps to determine the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating the degree of hydration or dehydration. In SIADH, there is water retention leading to diluted urine, resulting in low specific gravity. Monitoring specific gravity every 4 hours is crucial in assessing the patient's fluid volume status and response to treatment. A: Nutritional status is not directly assessed by specific gravity. B: Potassium balance is not directly assessed by specific gravity. C: Calcium balance is not directly assessed by specific gravity.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client with a peripheral vascular access device who is experiencing pain, redness, and swelling at the site. After removing the device, which action should the nurse take to relieve pain?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Place warm compresses on the site. Warm compresses can help increase blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing at the site of inflammation. The warmth can help dilate blood vessels, increasing circulation to the area and promoting the removal of inflammatory substances. This can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Administering topical lidocaine (choice A) may not address the underlying cause of pain and redness. Administering oral pain medication (choice C) may be necessary for severe pain but may not directly address the local inflammation. Massaging the site with scented oils (choice D) can potentially introduce more irritants and should be avoided in cases of inflammation.