Correct Answer: C

Rationale: This is incorrect because 95-110 mg/dL is the normal range of serum phosphorus level in adults, not chloride. Phosphorus is an electrolyte that is involved in energy metabolism, acid-base balance, and bone formation. This is incorrect because 10-120 mEq/L is not a realistic range for any electrolyte level in the blood. The units of mEq/L indicate the concentration of ions, not the mass of the substance. The normal range of serum chloride level in adults is expressed in mEq/L, not mg/dL. This is correct because 96-106 mEq/L is the normal range of serum chloride level in adults. Chloride is an electrolyte that is important for fluid balance, acid-base balance, and nerve transmission. This is incorrect because 1.8-2.6 mEq/L is the normal range of serum magnesium level in adults, not chloride. Magnesium is an electrolyte that is important for muscle and nerve function, as well as enzyme activity.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: This is incorrect because over-hydration is unlikely in a dehydrated patient. Overhydration is a condition where the body has too much water, which can cause hyponatremia, edema, and cerebral swelling. This is incorrect because diarrhea is a cause, not a consequence, of dehydration. Diarrhea is the frequent and watery passage of stool, which can lead to fluid and electrolyte loss. This is incorrect because pulmonary congestion is also unlikely in a dehydrated patient. Pulmonary congestion is a condition where the lungs are filled with fluid, which can cause dyspnea, cough, and crackles. This is correct because fall is a potential complication of dehydration. Dehydration can cause confusion, dizziness, weakness, and hypotension, which can increase the risk of falling and injuring oneself.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Moist skin is not a sign of dehydration, but rather a sign of adequate hydration or sweating. Dehydration can cause dry skin, mucous membranes, and lips. Dark-colored urine is a sign of dehydration, as it indicates a high concentration of waste products and a low volume of water in the urine. Dehydration can cause the kidneys to conserve water and produce less urine. High blood pressure is not a sign of dehydration, but rather a sign of fluid overload or other factors such as stress, pain, or medication. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure, as it reduces the blood volume and the cardiac output. Distended neck veins are not a sign of dehydration, but rather a sign of fluid overload or right-sided heart failure. Dehydration can cause flat neck veins, as it reduces the venous return and the central venous pressure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: This is incorrect because filtration is a passive transport mechanism that does not require cellular energy. Filtration is the movement of fluid and solutes across a membrane due to hydrostatic pressure. This is correct because active transport is a transport mechanism that requires cellular energy in the form of ATP. Active transport is the movement of molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, using carrier proteins. This is incorrect because diffusion is a passive transport mechanism that does not require cellular energy. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, until equilibrium is reached. This is incorrect because osmosis is a passive transport mechanism that does not require cellular energy. Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: This is correct because acidosis is a condition where the serum pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Acidosis can be caused by an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems. This is incorrect because equal bicarbonate is not a condition, but a term that describes the balance between bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Bicarbonate is a base that buffers the acids in the blood and maintains the pH. Equal bicarbonate means that the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is 20:1, which is the normal value. This is incorrect because neutral carbonic acid is not a condition, but a term that describes the pH of carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Carbonic acid is an acid that forms when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. Neutral carbonic acid means that the pH of carbonic acid is 7.0, which is neither acidic nor basic. This is incorrect because alkalosis is a condition where the serum pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Alkalosis can be caused by a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems.