Exam 13: Nursing Management: Fluid,electrolyte and Acidbase Imbalances

A patient who had a transverse colectomy for diverticulosis 18 hours ago has nasogastric suction and is complaining of anxiety and incisional pain.The patient's respiratory rate is 32 breaths/minute and the arterial blood gases (ABGs)indicate respiratory alkalosis.Which action should the nurse take first?

A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle crash has had a tracheostomy placed to allow for continued mechanical ventilation.How should the nurse interpret the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48,PaO₂ 85 mm Hg,PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg,and HCO₃ 25 mEq/L?

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of frequent,watery stools for the last 2 days.Which action should the nurse take first?

A patient who is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic for treatment of hypertension complains of generalized weakness.It is most appropriate for the nurse to take which action?

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

IV potassium chloride (KCl)60 mEq is prescribed for treatment of a patient with severe hypokalemia.Which action should the nurse take?

The long-term care nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of protein supplements for an older resident who has a low serum total protein level.Which assessment finding indicates that the patient's condition has improved?

A patient with renal failure has been taking aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension (Maalox)at home for indigestion.The patient arrives for outpatient hemodialysis and is unresponsive to questions and has decreased deep tendon reflexes.Which action should the dialysis nurse take first?

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

A patient who has been receiving diuretic therapy is admitted to the emergency department with a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L.The nurse should alert the health care provider immediately that the patient is on which medication?

An older patient receiving iso-osmolar continuous tube feedings develops restlessness,agitation,and weakness.Which laboratory result should the nurse report to the health care provider immediately?

A patient has a parenteral nutrition infusion of 25% dextrose.A student nurse asks the nurse why a peripherally inserted central catheter was inserted.Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse notes a serum calcium level of 7.9 mg/dL for a patient who has chronic malnutrition.Which action should the nurse take next?

Following a thyroidectomy,a patient complains of "a tingling feeling around my mouth." Which assessment should the nurse complete immediately?

Which action should the nurse take first when a patient complains of acute chest pain and dyspnea soon after insertion of a centrally inserted IV catheter?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a massive burn injury and possible hypovolemia.Which assessment data will be of most concern to the nurse?

A nurse in the outpatient clinic is caring for a patient who has a magnesium level of 1.3 mg/dL.Which assessment would be most important for the nurse to make?

When assessing a pregnant patient with eclampsia who is receiving IV magnesium sulfate,which finding should the nurse report to the health care provider immediately?

A postoperative patient who had surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer has been receiving nasogastric suction for 3 days.The patient now has a serum sodium level of 127 mEq/L (127 mmol/L).Which prescribed therapy should the nurse question?

Which action can the registered nurse (RN)who is caring for a critically ill patient with multiple IV lines delegate to an experienced licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?