ATI RN
ATI Fluid and Electrolytes
1. 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.
2. A nurse assesses a client who was started on intraperitoneal therapy 5 days ago. The client reports abdominal pain and feeling warm. For which complication of this therapy should the nurse assess this client?
- A. Allergic reaction
- B. Bowel obstruction
- C. Catheter lumen occlusion
- D. Infection
Correct answer: D
Rationale:
3. You are caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Your patient's plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to assess what aspect of the patient's health?
- A. Nutritional status
- B. Potassium balance
- C. Calcium balance
- D. Fluid volume status
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the specific gravity in a patient with SIADH helps the nurse evaluate the patient's fluid volume status. Specific gravity indicates the concentration of solutes in the urine and can detect if the patient has a fluid volume deficit or excess. Nutritional status, potassium balance, and calcium balance are not directly assessed through specific gravity testing. Nutritional status is typically evaluated through dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Potassium balance is assessed through blood tests and ECG monitoring. Calcium balance is evaluated through blood tests and bone density scans. Therefore, the correct answer is assessing fluid volume status through specific gravity testing.
4. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys provide the greatest means of water loss. Which organ provides the second greatest means of water loss?
- A. Skin
- B. Lungs
- C. Intestines
- D. Muscles
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Skin. After the kidneys, the skin is the second largest route of water loss through perspiration. Choice B, Lungs, is incorrect as the lungs primarily exchange gases and do not play a significant role in water loss. Choice C, Intestines, is also incorrect as water loss through the intestines is minimal since most water is reabsorbed during digestion. Choice D, Muscles, is incorrect as muscles are not a major source of water loss in the body.
5. What is the fluid inside the cell called?
- A. Plasma
- B. Intracellular fluid
- C. Interstitial fluid
- D. Plasma and intracellular fluid
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Intracellular fluid.' Intracellular fluid refers to the fluid contained within the cells, constituting a significant portion of the body's total water content. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Plasma is the liquid component of blood outside the cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid surrounding cells in tissues, and the combination of plasma and intracellular fluid is not the specific term for the fluid inside the cell.
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