when planning the care of a patient with a fluid imbalance the nurse understands that in the human body water and electrolytes move from the arterial

ATI RN

ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation

1. When planning the care of a patient with a fluid imbalance, the nurse understands that in the human body, water and electrolytes move from the arterial capillary bed to the interstitial fluid. What causes this to occur?

A. Active transport of hydrogen ions across the capillary walls
B. Pressure of the blood in the renal capillaries
C. Action of the dissolved particles contained in a unit of blood
D. Hydrostatic pressure resulting from the pumping action of the heart

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

2. What happens first in dehydration?

A. Intercellular fluid volume drops first.
B. Plasma volume drops first.
C. Interstitial fluid drops first.
D. Neither interstitial nor intracellular fluid volume are affected.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In dehydration, the body first draws fluid from the interstitial space to maintain blood volume, leading to a decrease in interstitial fluid volume. This is why choice C is correct. Choice A is incorrect because intracellular fluid is not the first to be affected. Choice B is also incorrect as plasma volume reduction typically occurs after interstitial fluid loss. Choice D is incorrect as dehydration impacts both interstitial and intracellular fluid volumes.

3. . You are caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Your patients plan of care includes assessment of specific gravity every 4 hours. The results of this test will allow the nurse to as

A. Nutritional status
B. Potassium balance
C. Calcium balance
D. Fluid volume status

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

4. What percentage of body water can be as high as in a newborn?

A. 80%.
B. 70%.
C. 60%.
D. 90%.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 80%. Newborns can have a body water content as high as 80% due to their higher total body water compared to adults. Choice B (70%) is incorrect because newborns typically have a higher body water percentage. Choice C (60%) is also incorrect as it underestimates the body water content in newborns. Choice D (90%) is incorrect as it overestimates the body water percentage in newborns.

5. What is the main water-holding force in the blood capillaries?

A. Capillary blood pressure
B. Sodium in the blood plasma
C. Protein in the blood plasma
D. Chloride in the blood plasma

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protein in the blood plasma. Plasma proteins, especially albumin, create oncotic pressure, which is the main force responsible for holding water within the blood capillaries. Capillary blood pressure (Choice A) is involved in pushing blood through the capillaries, while sodium and chloride in the blood plasma (Choices B and D) are electrolytes and do not play a significant role in the water-holding force within capillaries.