ATI RN
ATI Fluid and Electrolytes Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which substance dissociates into ions in a water solution?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Electrolyte.' Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and plasma are not substances that dissociate into ions in a water solution. Intracellular fluid is the fluid inside cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells, and plasma is the liquid component of blood. These choices do not dissociate into ions in a water solution, unlike electrolytes.
Question 2 of 5
Which hormone is made in the pituitary gland and increases water absorption in the kidney?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of medical-surgical nursing, understanding fluid and electrolyte balance is crucial for providing safe and effective patient care. In this question, the correct answer is D) ADH (antidiuretic hormone). ADH is produced in the pituitary gland and acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, helping to retain water in the body and reduce urine output. This hormone plays a key role in regulating water balance and preventing dehydration. Option A) Intracellular fluid and option B) Interstitial fluid are types of body fluids, but they are not hormones produced in the pituitary gland. They do not directly influence water reabsorption in the kidneys. Option C) Plasma is the liquid component of blood, which contains water, but it is not a hormone that regulates water absorption in the kidneys. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of understanding the role of hormones in fluid regulation. Nurses need to recognize the actions of hormones like ADH to assess and manage patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances effectively. By grasping the functions of hormones involved in fluid balance, nurses can intervene appropriately to maintain homeostasis and promote positive patient outcomes.
Question 3 of 5
Which condition can result from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dehydration. Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss, causing dehydration. Intracellular fluid (choice A) and interstitial fluid (choice B) refer to specific compartments of body fluid and are not conditions resulting from vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolytes (choice D) are minerals that help maintain fluid balance in the body but are not the condition directly resulting from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea.
Question 4 of 5
You are caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Your patient's plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to assess what aspect of the patient's health?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the specific gravity in a patient with SIADH helps the nurse evaluate the patient's fluid volume status. Specific gravity indicates the concentration of solutes in the urine and can detect if the patient has a fluid volume deficit or excess. Nutritional status, potassium balance, and calcium balance are not directly assessed through specific gravity testing. Nutritional status is typically evaluated through dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Potassium balance is assessed through blood tests and ECG monitoring. Calcium balance is evaluated through blood tests and bone density scans. Therefore, the correct answer is assessing fluid volume status through specific gravity testing.
Question 5 of 5
You are caring for a patient admitted with a diagnosis of acute kidney injury. When you review your patient's most recent laboratory reports, you note that the patient's magnesium levels are high. You should prioritize assessment for which of the following health problems?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: To assess a patient's magnesium status, the nurse should check deep tendon reflexes. Diminished deep tendon reflexes may indicate high serum magnesium levels, as hypermagnesemia can lead to neuromuscular effects. Tachycardia, cool clammy skin, and acute flank pain are not typically associated with high magnesium levels and are not priority assessments in this situation.