Written by students who passed Immediately available after payment Read online or as PDF Wrong document? Swap it for free 4.6 TrustPilot
logo-home
Exam (elaborations)

NUR 521: Exam 1 Study Guide Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance with complete solution.

Rating
-
Sold
-
Pages
43
Grade
A+
Uploaded on
26-06-2026
Written in
2025/2026

NUR 521: Exam 1 Study Guide Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance with complete solution. NUR 521: Exam 1 Study Guide Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance with complete solution. NUR 521: Exam 1 Study Guide Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance with complete solution.

Show more Read less
Institution
NUR 521:
Course
NUR 521:

Content preview

NUR 521: Exam 1 Study Guide Fluid, Electrolyte,
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




and Acid-Base Balance with complete solution.
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




Exam 1 Study Guide NUR 521 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




(Chapters 10, 34, 35, 36, 37) m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




Chapter 10 (20 questions)
m5 m5 m5




1. Understand the special needs of the older adult pertaining to fluid and electrolytes
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




a. Impact of water loss including “insensible fluid loss”
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




i. Water makes up most of our bodies. An older adult’s water percentage m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




(45% for women and 55% for men) is about 10% less than a young adult.
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




ii. they have less body reserve (meaning that interruptions with body fluids
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




are more severe for the geriatric population & imbalances with fluids
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




always affect electrolytes [less water means more electrolytes; less
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




electrolytes means more water] → thus interrupting homeostasis all
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




together) m5




b. Organ function m5




i. Sodium and water regulation become less efficient w/ aging m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




ii. Kidneys (less able to concentrate urine and conserve H2O and Na), Renal m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




blood flow and glomerular filtration decline
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




iii. Thirst Mechanism (hypothalamus is the thirst center in brain) Perception m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




of thirst decrease m5 m5 m5




c. Muscle mass m5




i. skeletal muscle retains the most water (men have more skeletal muscle so m 5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




they have a higher percentage than women [they hold more fat and
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




adipose tissue does not retain much water])
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




ii. In this population: Lean muscle mass is decreased, and body fat is
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




increased. m5




d. Increased risks (e.g. dehydration) m5 m5 m5




i. (Risk factors for FVD) Those with a: self-care deficit, confused, m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




depressed, tube fed on bed rest, in extremely hot weather, taking
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




medications. m5




ii. Dehydration: can cause fever and further dehydration m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




iii. Functional impairments- (arthritis or stroke) can impair ability to access m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




fluids m5




iv. Cognitive impairment- interferes with recognition of thirst and ability to m 5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




respond to it m5 m5 m5




v. Early manifestation for dehydration in older adult: change in mental statusm5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




2. Review the natural compensatory mechanisms within the body as it attempts to shift
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




fluids to maintain homeostasis
m5 m5 m5 m5




a. ADH-
i. released by the posterior pituitary gland, regulates water excretion from m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




the kidneys. Increased response to stress such as nausea, pain, surgery
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




anesthesia. Inhibited amount by alcohol and medications like phenytoin
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




and increased blood volume and decreased osmolality. Pg 232
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




b. Renin

, i.
angiotensin helps maintain intravascular fluid balance and blood pressure. m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




A decrease in blood flow or BP stimulates receptors to produce renin. Pg.
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




232 m5




c. Aldosterone
i. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention in the distal nephron of m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




the kidney, restoring blood volume. Pg 232
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




d. Vital signs and physical presentation
m5 m5 m5 m5




i. When blood pressure and blood volume are low → the body’s heart rate m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




will increase and vessels will constrict to compensate for the
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




depressed BP/BV so it increases to put out the little blood available to
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




distribute m5




3. Memorize the information pertaining to each electrolyte posted to include the
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




following: (all from the powerpoint)
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




a. Possible causes of the deficit or excess (study the slides)
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




b. Clinical manifestations (it is important that you recognize signs and symptoms a
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




patient is having to correlate with disease and priority interventions)
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




c. Possible treatment m5




d. Nursing responsibilities and intervention m5 m5 m5




e. Expand your knowledge on specific foods that are high and low in each
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




electrolyte so that you may choose the correct items to teach your patient. For
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




example: high phosphorus categories aside from what is listed in the PowerPoint
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




include protein-rich foods such as meats, chicken, fish, nuts, beans and dairy
m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5 m5




products.m5




Electrolyte: Sodium ir
m5 Hyponatremia <135 ir
m5 Hypernatremia >145 ir
m5




Normal: 135-145
ir
m5 m5ir




Symptoms Poor skin turgor, Dry mucosa, Headache,
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir Thirst, Elevated temperature, Dry, swollen tongue,
ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5




Decreased salivation, Decreased BP,
m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir Sticky mucosa, Neuro symptoms, Restlessness,
m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


Nausea, Abdominal cramping, Neuro
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir Weakness, Seizures or coma
m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir


changes, Muscle weakness
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5




Causes adrenal insufficiency, water intoxication, Excess water loss, Excess Na admin. Diabetes
m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5




vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, diuretics
m5 ir insipidus, Heat stroke, Hypertonic IV
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir ir
m5 m5ir


solution ir
m5




Treatment Water restriction, Sodium replacement
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir Hypotonic solution (0.45 NaCl, D5w) ir
m5 m5 ir m5ir m5 ir




Responsibilities/Inter Monitor sodium, Assessment, m5 ir ir
m5 Assess OTC sodium, Mental status, Prevention,
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir


vention
ir
m5 prevent cerebral edema, Teach about
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 Encourage fluids, H20 via tube feeding
m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


effects
ir
m5 of medication and m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5




manifestations
m5 ir




2

,Foods Fresh, frozen or dried fruits: Berries,
m5ir Smoked, cured, salted, or canned meat, fish or
m5ir ir
m5 m5 ir m5ir m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir


apples, bananas, pears, etc. Grains and poultry including bacon, cold cuts, ham,
m5ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5ir m5 ir


beans: Dried beans, brown rice, farro, frankfurters, sausage, sardines, caviar and
m5ir ir
m5 m5ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 m5ir ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5




quinoa and whole wheat pasta. Starchy
m5ir ir
m5 ir
m5 anchovies. Frozen breaded meats and dinners, such
ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 m5ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5




vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes,
m5ir m5 as burritos and pizza. Canned entrees, such as
ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5ir ir
m5 m5 ir


butternut squash and parsnips. Fresh or
m5ir ir
m5 ravioli, spam and chili. Salted nuts. Beans
ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5 ir


canned with salt added. m5ir ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir




2

, frozen meat and poultry: Chicken, turkey,
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5




beef or pork.
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir




Electrolyte: Hypokalemia <3.5 m5 ir Hyperkalemia >5.3 m5 ir


Potassium
ir
m5




Normal: 3.5 - 5.3
ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5




Symptoms Fatigue , N/V / anorexia Dysrhythmias, m5 ir m5ir ir m5ir
m5 ir
m5 Cardiac changes, Dysrhythmias, Possible cardiac
ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5




Muscle weakness, Leg cramps /
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir arrest, Potential respiratory impairment,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




paresthesia, Glucose intolerance, ↓
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir Muscle weakness, Paresthesia, Tremors,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




muscle strength, ↓ cardiac output,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 twitching, Anxiety, GI manifestations
m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir


Polyuria / altered renal function
m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5 ir Treatment-Monitor EKG, Kayexalate, IV sodium m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




bicarbonate, IV calcium gluconate, Regular
m5 ir m5 ir m5ir ir
m5 m5 ir


insulin, D50 (hypertonic), b -2 agonists, Limit
m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5ir ir
m5




dietary K+
m5 ir m5 ir




Causes GI losses, Medications, Alterations
m5ir m5 ir ir
m5 treatment related, Impaired renal fx, ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5ir


of acid-base balance,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir Hyperaldosteronism, Tissue trauma, Acidosis
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


Hyperaldosteronism, Poor dietary
m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




intake
m5 ir



Treatment Increase dietary K+, K+ replacement, ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 Monitor EKG, Kayexalate, IV sodium bicarbonate,
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir


D5W
m5 ir IV calcium gluconate, Regular insulin, D50
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5




(hypertonic), b -2 agonists, Limit dietary K+
m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5




Responsibilities/Inter Assessment, health history, physical, m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 Assess serum K+, Monitor medication effects,
m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5




vention
ir
m5 Monitor EKG, ABG’s, Dietary
m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 Initiate dietary K+ restriction, Dietary teaching
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir


K+, Watch IV site
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir




Foods cherries, tangerine, lettuce, peppers, beef, m5 ir ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 Dried fruits (raisins, apricots), Beans, lentils,
ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


egg, peanut butter, rice, tea, noodles
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 Potatoes, Winter squash (acorn, butternut),
m5 ir m5 ir m5ir m5 ir m5ir


Spinach, broccoli, Beet greens, Avocado,
m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5




Bananas, Cantaloupe, Oranges, orange juice,
ir
m5 m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir


Coconut water, Tomatoes, Dairy and plant
ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir


milks (soy, almond), Yogurt, Cashews,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


almonds, Chicken, Salmon
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir




Electrolyte: Calcium ir
m5 Hypocalemia <9 m5 ir Hyper
Normal: 9 - 11
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir




Symptoms Tetany (spasms), Circumoral numbness, m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir H/A – Anorexia, N/V, Dehydration,
ir
m5 ir
m5 m5ir m5 ir


Paresthesia, Hyperactive DTR’s,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir Constipation, Abdominal/bone pain, Excessive
m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5 ir
m5




Trousseau’s sign, Chvostek’s sign,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir urination, Severe thirst, Confusion, impaired
ir
m5 ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir


Seizures, Respiratory symptoms,
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir memory, slurred speech, lethargy, acute
m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




Dyspnea
m5 ir psychotic behavior or coma
ir
m5 m5 ir m5 ir ir
m5




3

Written for

Institution
NUR 521:
Course
NUR 521:

Document information

Uploaded on
June 26, 2026
Number of pages
43
Written in
2025/2026
Type
Exam (elaborations)
Contains
Questions & answers

Subjects

  • nur 521
$18.49
Get access to the full document:

Wrong document? Swap it for free Within 14 days of purchase and before downloading, you can choose a different document. You can simply spend the amount again.
Written by students who passed
Immediately available after payment
Read online or as PDF


Also available in package deal

Thumbnail
Package deal
NUR 521-Advanced Pharmacology Bundle with complete solutions.
-
3 2026
$ 22.49 More info

Get to know the seller

Seller avatar
Reputation scores are based on the amount of documents a seller has sold for a fee and the reviews they have received for those documents. There are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The better the reputation, the more your can rely on the quality of the sellers work.
Lectpotter Strayer University
View profile
Follow You need to be logged in order to follow users or courses
Sold
122
Member since
1 year
Number of followers
8
Documents
2572
Last sold
18 hours ago
REALITIEXAMS

Nursing Being my main profession line, My mission is to be your LIGHT in the dark. If you're worried or having trouble in nursing school, I really want my notes to be your guide! I know they have helped countless others get through and that's all I want for YOU! On this page, you find all documents, package deals, and flashcards offered by seller Lectpotter I have essential guides that are Almost A+ graded, I am a very friendly person:

Read more Read less
4.9

185 reviews

5
174
4
1
3
7
2
0
1
3

Recently viewed by you

Why students choose Stuvia

Created by fellow students, verified by reviews

Quality you can trust: written by students who passed their tests and reviewed by others who've used these notes.

Didn't get what you expected? Choose another document

No worries! You can instantly pick a different document that better fits what you're looking for.

Pay as you like, start learning right away

No subscription, no commitments. Pay the way you're used to via credit card and download your PDF document instantly.

Student with book image

“Bought, downloaded, and aced it. It really can be that simple.”

Alisha Student

Working on your references?

Create accurate citations in APA, MLA and Harvard with our free citation generator.

Working on your references?

Frequently asked questions