the nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance the most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is

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Fluid and Electrolytes ATI

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

A. Daily weight
B. Serum sodium levels
C. Measured intake and output
D. Blood pressure

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.

2. An increase in capillary blood pressure would tend to:

A. increase interstitial fluid volume.
B. increase plasma volume.
C. decrease interstitial fluid volume.
D. increase plasma volume and decrease interstitial fluid volume.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An increase in capillary blood pressure leads to a higher force pushing fluid out of the capillaries into the interstitial space, thereby increasing interstitial fluid volume. Choice B is incorrect because capillary blood pressure affects the movement of fluid into the interstitial space, not into the plasma. Choice C is incorrect as an increase in capillary blood pressure would not decrease interstitial fluid volume. Choice D is incorrect as it combines contradictory effects when capillary blood pressure increases.

3. .A nurse assesses a clients peripheral IV site, and notices edema and tenderness above the site. Which action should the nurse take next?

A. Apply cold compresses to the IV site.
B. Elevate the extremity on a pillow.
C. Flush the catheter with normal saline.
D. . Stop the infusion of intravenous fluids.

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has the following arterial blood values: pH 7.12, PaO2 56 mm Hg, PaCO2 65 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which clinical situation should the nurse correlate with these values?

A. . Diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with emphysema
B. Bronchial obstruction related to aspiration of a hot dog
C. Anxiety-induced hyperventilation in an adolescen
D. Diarrhea for 36 hours in an older, frail woman

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

5. 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.