Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with prolonged vomiting?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypokalemia. Prolonged vomiting leads to loss of potassium through the stomach, causing low potassium levels. This can result in muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other serious complications. A: Hypocalcemia is not typically associated with vomiting but can occur in conditions like hypoparathyroidism. C: Hyperkalemia is less likely with vomiting as potassium is lost. D: Hyponatremia can occur in severe cases of vomiting, but hypokalemia is more common due to the specific loss of potassium.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Prepare to administer insulin and glucose. In this scenario, the patient's high serum potassium level indicates hyperkalemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Insulin and glucose drive potassium into the cells, lowering serum levels. Encouraging potassium-rich foods (choice A) would worsen hyperkalemia. Administering IV fluids with potassium (choice B) would further increase potassium levels. Diuretics (choice D) do not directly lower potassium levels. Administering insulin and glucose is the priority intervention to address the hyperkalemia and prevent complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Hyponatremia. Heat exhaustion leads to excessive sweating, causing loss of sodium and water. This imbalance results in low sodium levels in the blood. Hypernatremia (A) is high sodium levels and is not likely in this scenario. Hyperkalemia (C) and Hypokalemia (D) are imbalances in potassium levels, not sodium, and are not directly related to heat exhaustion. Therefore, the most likely fluid imbalance in a marathon runner collapsing from heat exhaustion is Hyponatremia due to excessive sweating and sodium loss.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer hypertonic IV fluids. In hyponatremia (low serum sodium level), hypertonic IV fluids help raise sodium levels gradually to prevent rapid correction and avoid complications like cerebral edema. Administering hypotonic IV fluids (choice A) can worsen the condition by further diluting sodium levels. Restricting fluid intake (choice C) may not address the underlying electrolyte imbalance. Administering potassium supplements (choice D) is not appropriate for hyponatremia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cellular destruction. Severe burns can lead to significant tissue damage, causing intracellular potassium to leak into the bloodstream, resulting in hyperkalemia. Increased dietary intake of potassium (Choice B) would not cause such a rapid rise in serum potassium levels. Diuretic therapy (Choice C) typically leads to potassium loss, not hyperkalemia. Excessive vomiting (Choice D) can result in hypokalemia due to potassium loss, not hyperkalemia. In this case, the most likely cause of hyperkalemia in a patient with severe burns is the release of potassium from damaged cells into the bloodstream.