ATI RN
Fluid and Electrolytes ATI Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse preparing to start an IV on a newly admitted patient teaches the patient about the procedure and begins to prepare the site. The nurse should always start by:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before preparing the skin, the nurse should ask the patient if he or she is allergic to latex or iodine, which are products commonly used in setting up for IV therapy. A local reaction could result in irritation to the IV site or, in the extreme, it could result in anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening.
Question 2 of 9
Which of the following might the nurse assess in a patient diagnosed with hypermagnesemia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To gauge a patient's magnesium status, the nurse should check deep tendon reflexes. If the reflex is absent, this may indicate high serum magnesium.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is evaluating a patient's laboratory results. Based upon the laboratory findings, what results will cause the release of an antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increased serum sodium causes increased thirst and the release of ADH by the posterior pituitary gland.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse admitting a patient with a history of emphysema reviews her past lab reports and notes that the patient's PaCO2 has been 56 to 64 mmHg. The nurse will be cautious administering oxygen because:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When PaCO2 chronically exceeds 50 mm Hg, it creates insensitivity to CO2 in the respiratory medulla, and the use of oxygen may result in the patient developing carbon dioxide narcosis and hypoxemia.
Question 5 of 9
A patient admitted with a gastrointestinal bleed and anemia is receiving a blood transfusion. Based upon the patient's hypotensive blood pressure, the nurse anticipates an order for IV fluids from the physician. Which of the following IV solutions may be administered with blood products?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The only IV solution that may be administered with blood products is normal saline.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse sees a variety of patients in the community health clinic. Which of the following patients would be at the greatest risk of dehydration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infants are particularly vulnerable to dehydration due to diarrhea, as they have a higher fluid turnover and less reserve.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse in the intensive care unit receives arterial blood gases (ABG) with a patient who is complaining of being 'short of breath.' The ABG has the following values: pH = 7.21, PaCO2 = 64 mm Hg, HCO3 = 24 mm Hg. The labs reflect:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pH of less than 7.40, a PaCO2 greater than 40, and an HCO3 of 24 are normal; therefore, it is a respiratory acidosis. Compensation by the kidneys has not begun, which indicates this was probably an acute event.
Question 8 of 9
A patient with hypokalemia and heart failure is admitted to the telemetry unit. The nurse is aware that hypokalemia could cause which of the following abnormalities on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia often causes characteristic ECG changes, including an elevated U wave and flattened T waves.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse preparing to start an IV on a newly admitted patient teaches the patient about the procedure and begins to prepare the site. The nurse should always start by:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before preparing the skin, the nurse should ask the patient if he or she is allergic to latex or iodine, which are products commonly used in setting up for IV therapy. A local reaction could result in irritation to the IV site or, in the extreme, it could result in anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening.