ATI RN
Fluid and Electrolytes ATI
1. The triage nurse notes upon assessment in the emergency room that the patient with anxiety is hyperventilating. The nurse is aware that hyperventilation is the most common cause of which acid-base imbalance?
- A. Respiratory acidosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation is the most common cause of acute respiratory alkalosis. When a patient hyperventilates due to anxiety or other causes, they blow off excessive carbon dioxide, leading to a decrease in PaCO2 and a rise in pH. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because hyperventilation leads to a decrease in PaCO2, causing respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, or metabolic alkalosis.
2. 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.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia and notes that the client's handgrip strength has diminished since the previous assessment 1 hour ago. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth.
- B. Measure the client's pulse and blood pressure.
- C. Document findings and monitor the client.
- D. Call the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a client with hypokalemia experiencing diminished handgrip strength, the priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth. Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, potentially causing respiratory distress. Assessing the respiratory status is crucial to determine if immediate interventions are needed to maintain adequate oxygenation. Measuring the client's pulse and blood pressure (Choice B) is important but should come after assessing the respiratory status. Simply documenting findings and monitoring the client (Choice C) may delay necessary interventions. Calling the healthcare provider (Choice D) is not the first action indicated in this situation; assessing the client's respiratory status takes precedence.
4. You are an emergency-room nurse caring for a trauma patient. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
- A. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation
- B. Metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis with no compensation
- D. Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis
Correct answer: D
Rationale:
5. A nurse assesses a client who is experiencing an acid-base imbalance. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.34, PaO2 88 mm Hg, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
- A. . Cardiac rate and rhythm
- B. Skin and mucous membranes
- C. Musculoskeletal strength
- D. Level of orientation
Correct answer: A
Rationale:
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