Review Questions
1
.
What statement describes distribution of fluid balance in the human body?
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Approximately two-thirds of body fluid is found in the extracellular space.
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Total body fluid is split evenly between the intracellular space and the extracellular space.
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Transcellular fluid makes up about 25 percent of total body fluid.
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The intracellular space has the highest percentage of total body fluid.
2
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While assessing a new patient admission, the nurse notes that the patient has ascites and crackles in the lung fields. What fluid imbalance should the nurse suspect?
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hypervolemia
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fluid volume deficit
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increased transcellular fluid
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euvolemia
3
.
What physical exam finding would the nurse expect in a patient experiencing hyponatremia?
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confusion
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thirst
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muscle twitching
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tachycardia
4
.
What suggestion from a nursing student would be appropriate for a patient experiencing hypercalcemia?
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Limit fluid intake to concentrate the urine and encourage urinary excretion of calcium.
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Stop eating dried fruit and nuts to prevent excess calcium intake.
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Increase weight-bearing exercises to stop leaching of calcium from the bones.
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Decrease foods high in phosphorus to prevent phosphorus from binding to calcium.
5
.
What statement correctly describes the process of active transport?
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Active transport is dependent on solutes moving down a concentration gradient.
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Through active transport, the concentration of sodium and potassium remains equal across cell membranes.
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Oxygen and other nutrients are delivered via the capillary bed using active transport.
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Active transport uses energy expenditure to move solutes from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration.
6
.
What statement describes why it is important to maintain the blood pH within a narrow range?
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Alterations in the blood pH leads to increased vascular permeability and capillary leak.
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Many cellular processes do not function normally if there is an acid-base imbalance.
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Having an acid-base imbalance speeds up the body’s metabolism, requiring patients to consume more energy.
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Failure to maintain acid-base homeostasis results in accumulation of intracellular fluid.
7
.
What comment by a nurse explains why patients with acidosis are at risk for developing hyperkalemia?
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Intracellular potassium shifts into the extracellular space to counterbalance the net influx of positive hydrogen ions.
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Prolonged acidosis causes cells to lyse, releasing intracellular potassium into the extracellular fluid compartment.
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Potassium-containing acids interact with bases, releasing potassium.
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Acidosis shifts potassium from the muscles into the bloodstream to bind to bicarbonate.
8
.
What is one cause of metabolic acidosis?
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gastrointestinal loss of bicarbonate
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carbon dioxide retention secondary to hypoventilation
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increased secretion of hydrogen ions into the urine
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loss of HCL from the gastrointestinal tract
9
.
What happens to the patient’s blood acid level if the patient takes deeper, faster breaths?
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The patient develops respiratory acidosis.
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The patient’s blood acid level will not change.
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Respiratory alkalosis will develop.
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The patient’s blood pH will increase.
10
.
What is a cue that a patient has developed hyperkalemia?
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mental confusion
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increase thirst
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cardiac arrhythmias
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paresthesia
11
.
The nurse anticipates what change in urine output in a patient with a fluid volume deficit?
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decreased urine output
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no change in urine output
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presence of blood in urine
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increased urine output
12
.
What nursing intervention would the nurse use to prevent electrolyte abnormalities in a patient with chronic kidney disease?
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dietary education
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education on electrolyte supplements
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administration of intravenous fluid
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daily weights