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Fluids and Electrolytes Nursing
Questions with Rationales Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update /
Already Graded
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
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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
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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.
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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
Fluids and Electrolytes Nursing
Questions with Rationales Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update /
Already Graded
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
,2 | Page
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
,3 | Page
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.
, 4 | Page
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
