ATI RN
Chapter 14 Nutrition and Fluid Balance Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is being treated for dehydration. Which lab result would you expect to see in this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: High serum sodium. Dehydration leads to an increase in serum sodium concentration due to the loss of water without a proportional loss of sodium. This results in hypernatremia. Low hematocrit (A) is seen in anemia, not dehydration. Low serum osmolality (C) and low serum potassium (D) are not typically associated with dehydration.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with a serum calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL presents with tingling around the mouth and muscle twitching. What is the likely electrolyte imbalance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypocalcemia. A serum calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL indicates low calcium levels. Symptoms of tingling around the mouth and muscle twitching are classic signs of hypocalcemia due to its effect on nerve and muscle function. In hypocalcemia, there is increased nerve excitability leading to these symptoms. Hypercalcemia (choice A) would present with symptoms like fatigue and confusion. Hyperkalemia (choice C) and hypokalemia (choice D) involve potassium levels, not calcium, and would present with different symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness, respectively.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with liver cirrhosis is receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse observes confusion, irritability, and muscle twitching. The serum sodium level is 118 mEq/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hyponatremia. In liver cirrhosis, impaired liver function can lead to decreased production of plasma proteins, causing fluid to shift into the interstitial spaces and diluting the sodium concentration in the blood. This results in hyponatremia, which can present with confusion, irritability, and muscle twitching. A: Hypernatremia is incorrect as the patient's serum sodium level is low. B: Hypocalcemia is incorrect as the symptoms are more indicative of hyponatremia. D: Hyperkalemia is incorrect as the patient's symptoms are not consistent with high potassium levels.
Question 4 of 5
The patient taking furosemide (Lasix) to correct excess edema shows a weight loss of 5.5 pounds in 24 h. The nurse calculates that this weight loss is equivalent to how many liters (L) of fluid given that each kilogram of weight loss is equivalent to 1 L of fluid?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To calculate the amount of fluid loss in liters, we need to convert the weight loss from pounds to kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs). 5.5 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 2.5 kg. Since each kilogram of weight loss is equivalent to 1 L of fluid, the patient lost 2.5 L of fluid in 24 hours. Therefore, the correct answer is D: 2.5 L. Choice A (1 L) is incorrect because the patient lost 2.5 kg, not just 1 kg. Choice B (1.5 L) is incorrect because the patient lost 2.5 kg, not 1.5 kg. Choice C (2.0 L) is incorrect because the patient lost 2.5 kg, not 2 kg.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient. Which finding is the best early indicator of dehydration in this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Constipation. Constipation is the best early indicator of dehydration in an 80-year-old patient because dehydration can lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility, resulting in constipation. Reduced skin turgor (A) is a late sign of dehydration. Increased temperature (C) can be a sign of other conditions, not specifically dehydration. Thirst (D) is a normal physiological response to dehydration but may not be the best early indicator in older adults who may have decreased thirst sensation.