ATI RN
ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which clients are at increased risk for hypophosphatemia? (Select all that do not apply.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because antacids contain aluminum or magnesium, which can bind with phosphorus and decrease its absorption, leading to hypophosphatemia. Malnourishment (choice A) can cause hypophosphatemia due to inadequate intake, uncontrolled diabetes (choice B) is associated with hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism (choice D) can lead to hyperphosphatemia due to increased calcium levels.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse evaluates the following arterial blood gas values in a client: pH 7.48, PaO2 98 mm Hg, PaCO2 28 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which client condition should the nurse correlate with these results?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anxiety-induced hyperventilation. The arterial blood gas values show a pH of 7.48 (alkalosis) with low PaCO2 (respiratory alkalosis), which is consistent with hyperventilation due to anxiety. HCO3 is within normal range, ruling out metabolic causes. A: Diarrhea and vomiting would lead to metabolic acidosis with low pH and decreased HCO3. C: COPD would typically present with respiratory acidosis (high PaCO2) and normal to high HCO3. D: Diabetic ketoacidosis and emphysema would show metabolic acidosis with low pH and low HCO3.
Question 3 of 9
Diagnostic testing has been ordered to differentiate between normal anion gap acidosis and high anion gap acidosis in an acutely ill patient. What health problem typically precedes normal anion gap acidosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Excessive administration of chloride. Normal anion gap acidosis is commonly caused by an excessive intake of chloride-containing solutions like normal saline during treatment. This leads to an increase in the plasma chloride concentration, causing a decrease in the anion gap. Metastases (A) are not typically associated with normal anion gap acidosis. Excessive potassium intake (B) would not lead to normal anion gap acidosis but rather hyperkalemia. Water intoxication (C) can lead to dilutional hyponatremia but not normal anion gap acidosis.
Question 4 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 5 of 9
. A 73-year-old man comes into the emergency department (ED) by ambulance after slipping on a small carpet in his home. The patient fell on his hip with a resultant fracture. He is alert and oriented; his pupils are equal and reactive to light and accommodation. His heart rate is elevated, he is anxious and thirsty, a Foley catheter is placed, and 40 mL of urine is present. What is the nurses most likely explanation for the low urine output?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The man's elevated heart rate, anxiety, and low urine output indicate a sympathetic reaction. This reaction stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to decreased urine output. The sympathetic response triggers the release of renin, which activates angiotensin II and aldosterone, causing vasoconstriction and water reabsorption in the kidneys, ultimately reducing urine output. Choice A is incorrect because low urine output is not solely due to urinating before arrival. Choice B is incorrect as there is no indication of traumatic brain injury or ADH deficiency. Choice C is incorrect as atrial natriuretic peptide in heart failure typically increases urine output.
Question 6 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 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
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 9 of 9
A nurse in the neurologic ICU has orders to infuse a hypertonic solution into a patient with increased intracranial pressure. This solution will increase the number of dissolved particles in the patients blood, creating pressure for fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries and increase the blood volume. This process is best described as which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Osmosis and osmolality. When a hypertonic solution is infused, it increases the number of dissolved particles in the blood, creating an osmotic pressure gradient. This causes fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries, increasing blood volume. Osmosis is the movement of solvent (water) across a semi-permeable membrane to equalize solute concentrations. Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in a solution. Hydrostatic pressure (choice A) is the force exerted by a fluid against a wall when it is under pressure, not related to the movement of solutes. Diffusion (choice C) is the movement of solute molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration, not involving a semi-permeable membrane. Active transport (choice D) requires energy to move molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, not the mechanism described in the scenario.