Which patient would the charge nurse assign to the step-down unit nurse who was floated to the intensive care unit for the day?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the patient with COPD and normal blood gas values, who is ventilator dependent, is the most stable among the options. This patient's condition indicates that they are likely stable and may require routine ventilator care. The other options involve more critical conditions such as narcotic overdose with respiratory alkalosis, diabetic ketoacidosis with insulin drip, and acute respiratory failure with respiratory acidosis, which would require more specialized care and frequent assessments. Assigning the float nurse to the most stable patient allows them to focus on providing safe and effective care while being in an unfamiliar environment like the ICU.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because body fluids encompass more than just water, including substances like sweat. Sweat is an example of body fluid that is not solely composed of water but also contains electrolytes and other solutes. This distinction is important because body fluids are not limited to pure water but consist of various components that serve different functions in the body. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the comprehensive nature of body fluids. Choice A focuses on internal body cavities, which are still considered part of the body, while choice C incorrectly states that body fluid is lipid-based, and choice D oversimplifies body fluids as just water and solutes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: interstitial. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless fluid found in the subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord. It is produced by the choroid plexus in the brain's ventricles and functions to cushion the brain, provide nutrients, and remove waste. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds cells in the body, providing them with nutrients and removing waste. Cerebrospinal fluid is similar to interstitial fluid in composition and function, making it an example of interstitial fluid. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because intracellular fluid is inside cells, transcellular fluid is found in body cavities like synovial fluid, and lymph is a fluid in the lymphatic system, not comparable to cerebrospinal fluid.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: chloride ion. In the extracellular fluid (ECF), chloride ion is the primary anion that helps maintain electrolyte balance and osmotic pressure. It is the most abundant anion in the ECF and plays a crucial role in acid-base balance. Bicarbonate ion is an important buffer in the blood but not the primary anion in the ECF. Phosphate ion is more abundant in intracellular fluid than extracellular fluid. Potassium ion is a cation, not an anion, and is primarily found inside cells, not in the ECF.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: to maintain blood pressure. Extracellular fluid volume regulation is crucial for maintaining blood pressure within a normal range. Any imbalance in extracellular fluid volume can lead to changes in blood pressure, potentially causing issues like hypotension or hypertension. Adequate blood pressure is necessary for proper perfusion of organs and tissues. Choice B (to maintain adequate urine formation) is incorrect because extracellular fluid volume regulation primarily affects blood pressure, not urine formation. Choice C (to prevent changes in ICF osmolarity) is incorrect because extracellular fluid volume regulation does not directly impact intracellular fluid osmolarity. Choice D (to prevent cells from swelling or shrinking) is incorrect because intracellular fluid volume regulation, not extracellular fluid volume, is primarily responsible for preventing cellular swelling or shrinking.