ATI RN
Chapter 14 Nutrition and Fluid Balance Answer Key Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse uses a diagram to demonstrate how in dehydration the water is drawn into the plasma from the cells by which process?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In dehydration, water moves from cells to plasma to maintain osmotic balance. Osmosis is the process of water moving from an area of lower solute concentration (cells) to higher solute concentration (plasma). This maintains the body's fluid balance. Distillation involves separating substances by boiling and condensing, not relevant here. Diffusion is the movement of solutes from high to low concentration, not specific to water movement. Filtration involves passing a liquid through a filter to separate particles, not applicable to cellular water movement. Therefore, osmosis is the correct process in dehydration.
Question 2 of 5
The patient with long-term obstructive pulmonary disease has a pH of 7, HCO3- of 18 mEq/L, and a PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg. These laboratory values are consistent with which acid-base imbalance?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The given pH, HCO3-, and PaCO2 values indicate metabolic acidosis. The low pH and HCO3- suggest acidemia and metabolic acidosis, respectively. The normal PaCO2 rules out respiratory acidosis/alkalosis. In metabolic acidosis, the kidneys cannot adequately excrete acids, leading to decreased HCO3-. Respiratory alkalosis/metabolic alkalosis involve high pH or HCO3- levels, which are not present here. Therefore, the correct answer is D: Metabolic acidosis.
Question 3 of 5
Because there are no IV pumps available for the immediate infusion of an IV medication, the nurse must calculate the flow rate for 500 mL to run for 4 h, using a set that delivers 15 gtt/mL. Which flow rate is correct?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (30 gtt/min). To calculate the flow rate, first determine the total drops needed (500 mL x 15 gtt/mL = 7500 gtt) for 4 hours. Then, divide total drops by total time in minutes (4 hours x 60 min/hr = 240 min) to get 31.25 gtt/min. Since IV pumps deliver whole drops, round down to the nearest whole number, giving a flow rate of 30 gtt/min. Choice B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate calculation based on the given information.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse explains to the 85-year-old patient with a temperature that, with each degree of fever, the body loses _____% of water.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (10%). For every degree increase in body temperature, the metabolic rate increases, leading to increased water loss through perspiration and respiration. This results in dehydration. A 10% water loss is a common estimate for the body's response to fever-induced increased metabolic activity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the significant impact of fever on water loss in the body.
Question 5 of 5
A normal urine output is considered to be
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (1 to 2 L/day) because it reflects the normal range of urine output in adults, which is typically around 1 to 2 liters per day. This range ensures adequate elimination of waste products while maintaining proper hydration levels. A (80 to 125 mL/min) is incorrect because it represents an hourly output rather than a daily output, and it is too low for a normal daily urine output. B (180 L/day) is incorrect as it is an extremely high value that does not align with normal physiological urine production rates. C (80 mL/min) is also incorrect because it is too low for a normal urine output and is not representative of the typical daily volume.