Question 1 1..2 points
A patient in the hospital has hypernatremia. What condition should the healthcare professional assess
for? Select one.
Question options:
a) Brief bouts of vomiting or diarrhea
b) Excessive diuretic therapy
c) Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
d) Hypersecretion of aldosterone
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Hypernatremia occurs because of (1) inadequate free water intake, (2) inappropriate administration of
hypertonic saline solution (e.g., sodium bicarbonate for treatment of acidosis during cardiac arrest), (3) high
sodium levels as a result of over secretion of aldosterone (as in primary hyperaldosteronism), or (4) Cushing
syndrome (caused by the excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], which also causes
increased secretion of aldosterone). The other options do not result in hypernatremia. The healthcare
professional should assess the patient for hypersecretion of aldosterone.
Question 2 1..2 points
During acidosis, the body compensates for the increase in serum hydrogen ions by shifting hydrogen ions
into the cell in exchange for which electrolyte? Select one.
Question options:
a) Potassium
b) Magnesium
c) Sodium
d) Oxygen
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In states of acidosis, hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for intracellular fluid potassium;
hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore often occur together. This is not true of the other options.
, Question 3 1..2 points
A patient has a serum sodium level of 165 mEq/L. The healthcare professional explains that the clinical
manifestations of confusion, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma are caused by what
mechanism? Select one.
Question options:
a) Low sodium in the blood vessels draws chloride into the brain cells followed by water, causing the brain
cells to swell.
b) High sodium in the brain cells pulls water out of the blood vessels into the brain cells, causing them to
swell.
c) High sodium in the blood vessels pulls water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels, causing brain
cells to shrink.
d) Low sodium in the blood vessels pulls potassium out of the brain cells, which slows the synapses in the
brain.
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A normal serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L so this patient's level is high. Hypernatremia causes
manifestations by pulling water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels.
Question 4 1..2 points
A patient has a history of excessive use of magnesium-containing antacids and aluminum-containing
antacids. What lab value does the healthcare professional correlate to this behavior? Select one.
Question options:
a) Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
b) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
c) Phosphate 1.9 mg/dL
d) Sodium 149 mEq/L
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Excessive use of magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing antacids can lead to hypophosphatemia,
A patient in the hospital has hypernatremia. What condition should the healthcare professional assess
for? Select one.
Question options:
a) Brief bouts of vomiting or diarrhea
b) Excessive diuretic therapy
c) Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
d) Hypersecretion of aldosterone
Hide question 1 feedback
Feedback
Hypernatremia occurs because of (1) inadequate free water intake, (2) inappropriate administration of
hypertonic saline solution (e.g., sodium bicarbonate for treatment of acidosis during cardiac arrest), (3) high
sodium levels as a result of over secretion of aldosterone (as in primary hyperaldosteronism), or (4) Cushing
syndrome (caused by the excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], which also causes
increased secretion of aldosterone). The other options do not result in hypernatremia. The healthcare
professional should assess the patient for hypersecretion of aldosterone.
Question 2 1..2 points
During acidosis, the body compensates for the increase in serum hydrogen ions by shifting hydrogen ions
into the cell in exchange for which electrolyte? Select one.
Question options:
a) Potassium
b) Magnesium
c) Sodium
d) Oxygen
Hide question 2 feedback
Feedback
In states of acidosis, hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for intracellular fluid potassium;
hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore often occur together. This is not true of the other options.
, Question 3 1..2 points
A patient has a serum sodium level of 165 mEq/L. The healthcare professional explains that the clinical
manifestations of confusion, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma are caused by what
mechanism? Select one.
Question options:
a) Low sodium in the blood vessels draws chloride into the brain cells followed by water, causing the brain
cells to swell.
b) High sodium in the brain cells pulls water out of the blood vessels into the brain cells, causing them to
swell.
c) High sodium in the blood vessels pulls water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels, causing brain
cells to shrink.
d) Low sodium in the blood vessels pulls potassium out of the brain cells, which slows the synapses in the
brain.
Hide question 3 feedback
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A normal serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L so this patient's level is high. Hypernatremia causes
manifestations by pulling water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels.
Question 4 1..2 points
A patient has a history of excessive use of magnesium-containing antacids and aluminum-containing
antacids. What lab value does the healthcare professional correlate to this behavior? Select one.
Question options:
a) Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
b) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
c) Phosphate 1.9 mg/dL
d) Sodium 149 mEq/L
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Excessive use of magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing antacids can lead to hypophosphatemia,
