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Unit 3: Fluid & Electrolyte balance
Questions and Correct Answers/ Latest
Update / Already Graded
Which client is most likely to exhibit dehydration?
Ans: an 8-month-old infant with persistent diarrhea for 24 hours
Infants and elderly persons have the greatest risk of fluid-related health
problems. An infant's body weight is 70% to 80% water content. An infant
who is ill and has had persistent diarrhea for 24 hours will quickly lose a
significant amount of fluid and electrolytes if the diarrhea is not stopped
and replacement fluids given.Healthy young adults have a higher
tolerance for fluid loss and can quickly regain their fluid balance when
fluids are lost through normal activity.The 75-year-old woman who was
placed on NPO status before surgery is not likely to develop a fluid volume
deficit within 8 hours, unless there are other fluid conditions present that
would precipitate fluid loss.The 60-year-old client with pneumonia and a
fever should be monitored for a fluid deficit, but he is not as likely to
develop one as a client who is actively losing fluids through diarrhea.
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During a follow-up visit to the physician, a client with
hyperparathyroidism asks the nurse to explain the physiology of the
parathyroid glands. The nurse states that these glands produce
parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH maintains the balance between
calcium and
Ans: phosphorus.
PTH increases the serum calcium level and decreases the serum
phosphate level. PTH doesn't affect sodium, potassium, or magnesium
regulation.
A client has vomited several times over the past 12 hours. The nurse
should recognize the risk of what complication?
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Ans: metabolic alkalosis
Vomiting results in loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and potassium from the
stomach, leading to a reduction of chlorides and potassium in the blood
and to metabolic alkalosis.
A child is brought to the emergency department with a full-thickness
burn involving the epidermis, dermis, and underlying subcutaneous
tissue, but does not report pain at this time. Which statements by the
nurse are correct about this type of burn? Select all that apply.
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Ans: This is a severe burn and nerve endings have been destroyed.
The child must be monitored for signs of fluid shift.
Rehabilitation and skin grafting will be necessary.
This is an example of a third-degree burn, which is very serious. This child
must be carefully monitored for complications. The fact that there is no
pain is due to the destruction of the nerve endings. Fluid shift can occur
and result in shock. A burn of this degree will also require a long
rehabilitation with skin grafting. Oral pain medication would not be
administered as the child would be NPO and oral medication would not
be effective. This burn is not superficial.
A client has a nursing diagnosis of fluid volume deficit. Which nursing
assessment finding would support this diagnosis?
Unit 3: Fluid & Electrolyte balance
Questions and Correct Answers/ Latest
Update / Already Graded
Which client is most likely to exhibit dehydration?
Ans: an 8-month-old infant with persistent diarrhea for 24 hours
Infants and elderly persons have the greatest risk of fluid-related health
problems. An infant's body weight is 70% to 80% water content. An infant
who is ill and has had persistent diarrhea for 24 hours will quickly lose a
significant amount of fluid and electrolytes if the diarrhea is not stopped
and replacement fluids given.Healthy young adults have a higher
tolerance for fluid loss and can quickly regain their fluid balance when
fluids are lost through normal activity.The 75-year-old woman who was
placed on NPO status before surgery is not likely to develop a fluid volume
deficit within 8 hours, unless there are other fluid conditions present that
would precipitate fluid loss.The 60-year-old client with pneumonia and a
fever should be monitored for a fluid deficit, but he is not as likely to
develop one as a client who is actively losing fluids through diarrhea.
,2 | Page
During a follow-up visit to the physician, a client with
hyperparathyroidism asks the nurse to explain the physiology of the
parathyroid glands. The nurse states that these glands produce
parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH maintains the balance between
calcium and
Ans: phosphorus.
PTH increases the serum calcium level and decreases the serum
phosphate level. PTH doesn't affect sodium, potassium, or magnesium
regulation.
A client has vomited several times over the past 12 hours. The nurse
should recognize the risk of what complication?
,3 | Page
Ans: metabolic alkalosis
Vomiting results in loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and potassium from the
stomach, leading to a reduction of chlorides and potassium in the blood
and to metabolic alkalosis.
A child is brought to the emergency department with a full-thickness
burn involving the epidermis, dermis, and underlying subcutaneous
tissue, but does not report pain at this time. Which statements by the
nurse are correct about this type of burn? Select all that apply.
, 4 | Page
Ans: This is a severe burn and nerve endings have been destroyed.
The child must be monitored for signs of fluid shift.
Rehabilitation and skin grafting will be necessary.
This is an example of a third-degree burn, which is very serious. This child
must be carefully monitored for complications. The fact that there is no
pain is due to the destruction of the nerve endings. Fluid shift can occur
and result in shock. A burn of this degree will also require a long
rehabilitation with skin grafting. Oral pain medication would not be
administered as the child would be NPO and oral medication would not
be effective. This burn is not superficial.
A client has a nursing diagnosis of fluid volume deficit. Which nursing
assessment finding would support this diagnosis?
