ATI RN
ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation
1. . A nurse is planning care for a nephrology patient with a new nursing graduate. The nurse states, A patient in renal failure partially loses the ability to regulate changes in pH. What is the cause of this partial inability?
- A. The kidneys regulate and reabsorb carbonic acid to change and maintain pH.
- B. The kidneys buffer acids through electrolyte changes
- C. The kidneys regenerate and reabsorb bicarbonate to maintain a stable pH.
- D. The kidneys combine carbonic acid and bicarbonate to maintain a stable pH.
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
2. Which substance dissociates into ions in a water solution?
- A. Intracellular fluid
- B. Interstitial fluid
- C. Plasma
- D. Electrolyte
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Electrolyte.' Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and plasma are not substances that dissociate into ions in a water solution. Intracellular fluid is the fluid inside cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells, and plasma is the liquid component of blood. These choices do not dissociate into ions in a water solution, unlike electrolytes.
3. A nurse in the medical-surgical unit has a newly admitted patient who is oliguric; the acute care nurse practitioner orders a fluid challenge of 100 to 200 mL of normal saline solution over 15 minutes. The nurse is aware this intervention will help:
- A. Distinguish hyponatremia from hypernatremia
- B. Evaluate pituitary gland function
- C. Distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function
- D. Provide an effective treatment for hypertension-induced oliguria
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering a fluid challenge in oliguric patients helps to distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function. This intervention aids in determining whether the oliguria is due to reduced renal blood flow (such as in fluid volume deficit or prerenal azotemia) or decreased renal function (such as in acute tubular necrosis). The response to this challenge can indicate the underlying cause. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the purpose of a fluid challenge in oliguric patients.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who requires measurement of specific gravity every 4 hours. What does this test detect?
- A. Nutritional deficit
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hypercalcemia
- D. Fluid volume status
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Specific gravity is a test used to determine the concentration of solutes in the urine, reflecting the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. Changes in specific gravity can indicate fluid volume status, such as dehydration (fluid volume deficit) or overhydration (fluid volume excess). Options A, B, and C are incorrect as specific gravity does not directly detect nutritional deficits, hyperkalemia, or hypercalcemia.
5. The nurse is assessing the patient for the presence of a Chvostek's sign. What electrolyte imbalance does a positive Chvostek's sign indicate?
- A. Hypermagnesemia
- B. Hypomagnesemia
- C. Hypocalcemia
- D. Hyperkalemia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek's sign is characterized by a brief contraction of the upper lip, nose, or side of the face and is indicative of hypocalcemia, making choice C the correct answer. Hypomagnesemia (choice B) is associated with Trousseau's sign, not Chvostek's sign. Hypermagnesemia (choice A) is not related to Chvostek's sign. Hyperkalemia (choice D) is not typically associated with Chvostek's sign; instead, it may present with muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.
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