the chief mechanism for maintaining fluid balance is to
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Fluid and Electrolytes

1. The chief mechanism for maintaining fluid balance is to:

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'adjust fluid output so it equals fluid input.' Maintaining fluid balance involves ensuring that the amount of fluid lost through processes like urination, sweating, and respiration equals the amount of fluid taken in. This ensures that the body stays properly hydrated. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not focus on the balance between fluid input and output, which is crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance. By adjusting fluid output to equal fluid input, the body can regulate hydration levels effectively, preventing dehydration or overhydration.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a central venous access line inserted. Which action should the nurse take next?

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

3. Which of the following is not considered an extracellular fluid?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cerebrospinal fluid and the humors of the eye are not considered extracellular fluids. Extracellular fluids are fluids found outside the cells, such as interstitial fluid and lymph. Cerebrospinal fluid is found within the central nervous system, while the humors of the eye (aqueous humor and vitreous humor) are located within the eyeball, making them distinct from extracellular fluids.

4. A nurse is caring for a patient who requires measurement of specific gravity every 4 hours. What does this test detect?

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 admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance. The most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Daily weight is the most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance because it can show trends over time, helping in assessing the effectiveness of interventions and medications. While serum sodium levels provide objective data on electrolyte balance, they may not accurately reflect fluid balance, especially if a patient is dehydrated. Measured intake and output are crucial for assessing fluid balance, but it can be challenging to match the two due to various ways fluid is lost from the body. Blood pressure and other vital signs may not always be reliable indicators of fluid balance as they can be influenced by other factors beyond fluid status.

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