Exam 17: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances

A patient has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.32, PaO₂ 88 mm Hg, PaCO₂ 37 mm Hg, and HCO₃ 16 mEq/L. The nurse interprets these results as

A patient is receiving 3% NaCl solution for correction of hyponatremia. During administration of the solution, the most important assessment for the nurse to monitor is

A patient with renal failure who has been taking aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension (Maalox) at home for indigestion is somnolent and has decreased deep tendon reflexes. Which action should the nurse take first?

A patient who has been hospitalized for 2 days has been receiving normal saline IV at 100 ml/hr, has a nasogastric tube to low suction, and is NPO. Which assessment finding by the nurse is the priority to report to the health care provider?

Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has a central venous access device ( CVAD )?

The home health nurse notes that an elderly patient has a low serum protein level. The nurse will plan to assess for

A postoperative patient who has been receiving nasogastric suction for 3 days has a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L (125 mmol/L). Which of these prescribed therapies that the patient has been receiving should the nurse question?

Which of these actions can the nurse who is caring for a critically ill patient with multiple intravenous (IV) lines delegate to an experienced LPN?

When assessing a patient with increased extracellular fluid (ECF) osmolality, the priority assessment for the nurse to obtain is

A patient who has an infusion of 50% dextrose prescribed asks the nurse why a peripherally inserted central catheter must be inserted. Which explanation by the nurse is correct?

Which assessment finding about a patient who has a serum calcium level of 7.0 mEq/L is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?

Spironolactone (Aldactone), an aldosterone antagonist, is prescribed for a patient as a diuretic. Which statement by the patient indicates that the teaching about this medication has been effective?