ATI RN
Nutrition and Fluid Balance Chapter 14 Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with cirrhosis and ascites is at risk for which type of fluid imbalance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Fluid volume overload. In cirrhosis with ascites, fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, leading to an increase in total body fluid volume. The excess fluid causes fluid volume overload, manifesting as edema and weight gain. Choice A is incorrect because ascites indicates fluid accumulation, not deficit. Choice C, hypernatremia, is unlikely as ascites is associated with dilutional hyponatremia. Choice D, hyperkalemia, is not commonly seen in cirrhosis with ascites without other specific factors like renal dysfunction.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is admitted for aggressive diuretic therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF). After several doses, the patient complains of muscle cramps and weakness. What electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypokalemia. Aggressive diuretic therapy can lead to potassium loss, causing muscle cramps and weakness. Potassium is essential for muscle function, and low levels can result in muscle-related symptoms. Hypernatremia (A) is an imbalance of high sodium levels, not typically associated with muscle cramps. Hyperkalemia (C) is high potassium levels and would not be expected with aggressive diuretic therapy. Hyponatremia (D) is low sodium levels, also not directly related to the symptoms described. Therefore, the most likely electrolyte imbalance in this scenario is hypokalemia.
Question 3 of 5
Which term describes the active transport process that moves sodium and potassium into or out of cells?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sodium pump. The sodium-potassium pump is a vital active transport mechanism in cells that moves sodium and potassium ions against their concentration gradients. It uses ATP to pump 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell. This process helps maintain the cell's resting membrane potential and is crucial for nerve impulse transmission. Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect: A: Filtration - Filtration is a passive process based on pressure differentials, not active transport involving specific pumps for sodium and potassium ions. C: Diffusion - Diffusion is a passive process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to low concentration, not involving the active transport of sodium and potassium against their gradients. D: Osmosis - Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, not the active transport of sodium and potassium ions by specific pumps like the sodium-potassium pump.
Question 4 of 5
Which statement demonstrates that the patient accurately understands the nurse's teaching related to a low-sodium diet?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because avocados and oranges are low in sodium, indicating understanding of a low-sodium diet. Dried fruits (A) are often high in sodium due to processing. Tomato juice (B) can be high in sodium unless it's low-sodium. A cheeseburger (D) typically contains high amounts of sodium, especially with extra ketchup. By choosing avocado and orange salad, the patient demonstrates good knowledge of low-sodium food choices.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with metabolic acidosis. Which assessment finding reveals that the compensatory mechanism to correct this imbalance is in effect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Kussmaul respirations. In metabolic acidosis, the body compensates by increasing the respiratory rate to exhale excess CO2 and decrease acidity in the blood. Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that help restore the acid-base balance. Increased urinary output (A) is not a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. Reduced abdominal distention (B) is unrelated to acid-base imbalances. Decreased blood pressure (D) is not a typical compensatory response to metabolic acidosis.