ATI LPN
Fluid Electrolyte Balance and Nutritional Needs Questions
Question 1 of 4
Respiratory alkalosis can occur as a result of
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperventilation lowers CO₂ raising pH and causing respiratory alkalosis.
Question 2 of 4
Water makes up % of the body's weight in a healthy adult.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a healthy adult, water constitutes approximately 60% of body weight.
Question 3 of 4
A patient suffering from diabetes mellitus often develops a condition called ketoacidosis (an acidosis caused by an accumulation of acidic ketone bodies in the plasma). A patient in this situation will tend to hyperventilate in order to compensate for the acidosis. Explain why hyperventilation might help this situation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperventilation reduces CO₂ lowering carbonic acid and raising pH to correct ketoacidosis.
Question 4 of 4
The patient had diarrhea for 5 days and developed an acid-base imbalance. Which statement would indicate that the nurse's teaching about the acid-base imbalance has been effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diarrhea causes metabolic acidosis through loss of bicarbonate, which is a base. Eating less sodium during diarrhea increases the risk of ECV deficit. Although diarrhea does remove fluid from the body, it also removes sodium and bicarbonate which need to be replaced. Rapid deep respirations are the compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis and should be encouraged rather than stopped.