Med Surg Ch 11 - Fluid & Electrolyte questions with correct answers

1. What immediate response does the nurse expect as a result of infusing 1 liter of an isotonic intravenous solution into a client over a 3-hour time period if urine output remains at 100 mL per hour? a. Extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolarity increases; body weight increases. b. Extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolarity decreases; body weight decreases. c. Extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolarity is unchanged; body weight increases. d. Extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolarity is unchanged; body weight decreases. CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: C Isotonic solutions have the same tonicity as plasma and other extracellular fluids. Therefore, the intravenous fluid would not change the ECF osmolarity. When 1000 mL are infused within 3 hours and the client only urinates 300 mL, the extra fluid would increase the client's weight. Remember that 1 liter of fluid is equal to 2.2 lb. 1. When evaluating the hydration status of a new 84-year-old nursing home client, the nurse observes tenting of the skin on the back of the client's hand. What is the nurse's best action? a. Assess the skin turgor on the client's forehead. b. Ask the client when he or she last had anything to drink. c. Examine the client's dependent body areas, especially the ankles. d. Document this observation in the client's record as the only action. CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A