The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?

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ATI Fluid and Electrolytes Questions

Question 1 of 9

The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When selecting a site for IV insertion on the hand or arm, it is important to consider the potential effects on the patient's mobility. The chosen site should not interfere with the patient's movement. Instructing the patient to hold his arm in a dependent position helps increase blood flow, aiding in vein visualization and insertion. It is advisable to choose a site with minimal hair if possible for better adhesion of the dressing. Removing the tourniquet after 2 minutes is recommended to prevent complications like hemoconcentration and potential vein damage. Therefore, option B is the correct choice as it aligns with best practices for IV insertion.

Question 2 of 9

Which negative ion is most abundant in blood plasma?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant anion in blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining osmotic balance and acid-base homeostasis. Bicarbonate (Choice A) is important for buffering acids in the body but is not the most abundant negative ion in blood plasma. Hydroxide (Choice C) is not typically found in high concentrations in blood plasma. Phosphate (Choice D) is an important anion in the body but is not as abundant as chloride in blood plasma.

Question 3 of 9

A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder presents to the emergency room. The triage nurse notes upon assessment that the patient is hyperventilating. The triage nurse is aware that hyperventilation is the most common cause of which acid-base imbalance?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation, which can be caused by extreme anxiety, is the most common cause of acute respiratory alkalosis. This leads to a decrease in PaCO2 levels. Respiratory acidosis, choice A, occurs in conditions like hypoventilation, leading to an increase in PaCO2 levels. Choice C, Increased PaCO2, is not the correct term for an acid-base imbalance related to hyperventilation. Choice D, CNS disturbances, is not directly related to the acid-base imbalance caused by hyperventilation.

Question 4 of 9

Which hormone reduces the amount of water in the body?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'aldosterone.' Aldosterone is the hormone that reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the reabsorption of sodium and water from the kidney tubules. ANH (atrial natriuretic hormone) actually works to increase the excretion of sodium and water by the kidneys, leading to a reduction in blood volume and pressure. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) works to increase water reabsorption by the kidneys, thereby increasing blood volume. Therefore, choices A (ADH) and D (ADH and aldosterone) are incorrect in the context of reducing the amount of water in the body.

Question 5 of 9

While assessing a patient's peripheral IV site, you note edema around the insertion site. How should you document this complication related to IV therapy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Infiltration is the administration of a nonvesicant solution or medication into the surrounding tissue, typically due to the dislodgement or perforation of the vein wall by the IV cannula. It is characterized by edema around the insertion site, leakage of IV fluid, discomfort, coolness, and a decrease in flow rate. In this scenario, the presence of edema indicates infiltration, not air emboli, phlebitis, or fluid overload. Air emboli refer to air bubbles in the bloodstream, phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, and fluid overload is an excessive volume of fluid in the circulatory system.

Question 6 of 9

Which negative ion is most important in intracellular fluid?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Intracellular fluid contains phosphate ions and protein molecules as essential anions. Phosphate ions play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including energy transfer. Proteins, being large molecules with negative charges, also contribute significantly to the negative ion concentration within cells. Chlorine is primarily an extracellular anion and is not as prominent as phosphate ions and proteins within intracellular fluid, making it a less important negative ion in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is D because both phosphate ions and protein molecules are crucial negative ions in intracellular fluid.

Question 7 of 9

Which of the following statements is correct?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct statement is that people with less body fat have more body water. This is because fat tissue contains less water compared to lean tissue, so individuals with less body fat generally have a higher percentage of body water. Choice B is incorrect as infants actually have more water per pound than adults due to their higher body water content. Choice C is incorrect as males typically have more body water per pound than females. Choice D is incorrect as infants have a higher water content per pound compared to adults.

Question 8 of 9

What happens first in dehydration?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In dehydration, the body first draws fluid from the interstitial space to maintain blood volume, leading to a decrease in interstitial fluid volume. This is why choice C is correct. Choice A is incorrect because intracellular fluid is not the first to be affected. Choice B is also incorrect as plasma volume reduction typically occurs after interstitial fluid loss. Choice D is incorrect as dehydration impacts both interstitial and intracellular fluid volumes.

Question 9 of 9

When considering overhydration:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Overhydration can occur when intravenous fluids are administered too quickly, overwhelming the body's ability to excrete the excess fluid. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration is less common than dehydration. Choice B is incorrect because while overhydration can strain the kidneys, it is not due to the burden being too heavy. Choice D is incorrect because dehydration is more common than overhydration.

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