Fluids and Electrolytes Nursing Questions with Rationales [100% Correct Answers]

Fluids and Electrolytes Nursing Questions with Rationales [100% Correct Answers] 1) A nurse is caring for a critically ill patient with a urinary retention catheter. Which hourly urine output should FIRST alert the nurse that the primary health-care provider should be notified? 1. 20mL 2. 30mL 3. 80mL 4. 120mL *Ans* Answer: 2 Rationale: The circulating blood volume perfuses the kidneys producing a glomerular filtrate of which varying amounts are either reabsorbed or excreted to maintain fluid balance. When a person's hourly urine output is only 30mL, it indicates a deficient circulating fluid volume inadequate renal perfusion and/or kidney disease. THe primary health-care provider should be notified. The PCP should be notified long before the hourly urine output reaches 20mL, the hourly output of 60mL is close to the expected range of 30-50mL/hr, and the PCP should not be notified for 120mL because it it indicates adequate kidney perfusion. 2) A nurse is caring for a patient who has dependent edema. Which pressure has caused the excess fluid in the interstitial compartment? 1. Oncotic pressure 2. Diffusion pressure 3. Hydrostatic pressure 4. Intraventricular pressure *Ans* Answer: 3 Rationale: Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid within a compartment, such as blood within the vessels. Hydrostatic pressure moves fluid from an area of greater pressure to an area of lesser pressure. Hydrostatic pressure within vessels of the body moves fluid from the intravascular compartment into the interstitial compartment. Interstitial fluid is extracellular fluid that surrounds cells. Oncotic pressure is the force exerted by colloids that pull or keep fluid within the intravascular compartment, it is the major force opposing hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries. Diffusion is a continual intermingling of molecules with movement of molecules from a solution of higher concentration to lower. Intraventricular pressure is the pressure that exists in the left and right ventricles of the heart. They do not move fluid. 3) A nurse evaluates a patient's fluid balance by monitoring the patient's intake and output. Which must the nurse understand about the ratio of the patient's fluid intake and output? 1. Intake should be slightly more than the output 2. Intake should be higher than the fluid output 3. Intake should be lower than the urine output 4. Intake should be equal to the urine output *Ans* Answer