Fluid And Electrolyte Imbalance Test Questions!

1. An older adult client admitted with heart failure and a sodium level of 113 mEq/L is behaving aggressively toward staff and does not recognize family members. When the family expresses concern about the client's behavior, the nurse would respond most appropriately by stating

The client is suffering from dementia

Disorientation during hospitalization is common among elderly

The sodium level is low, and the confusion will resolve as the levels normalize.

The sodium level is high and the behavior is a result of dehydration.

The given sodium level indicates hyponatremia. Confusion and disorientation is common in hyponatremia.

Explanation

The given sodium level indicates hyponatremia. Confusion and disorientation is common in hyponatremia.

2. A client with hypoparathyroidism complains of numbness and tingling in his fingers and around the mouth. The nurse would assess for what electrolyte imbalance?

Hyponatremia

Hypocalcemia

Hyperkalemia

Hypermagnesemia

Parathyroid hormone facilitates release of calcium from bones to blood stream

Explanation

Parathyroid hormone facilitates release of calcium from bones to blood stream

3. A client with a recent thyroidectomy complains of numbness and tingling around the mouth. Which of the following findings indicates the serum calcium is low?

Bone pain

Depressed deep tendon reflexes

Positive Chovstek's sign

Nausea

It occurs due to increased neuro-muscular irritability

Explanation

It occurs due to increased neuro-muscular irritability

4. The nurse is admitting a client with a potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L. The nurse reports this finding as a result of

Acute renal failure

Malabsorption syndrome

Nasogastric drainage

Laxative abuse

Others will cause hypokalemia

Explanation

Others will cause hypokalemia

5. The nurse assesses a client to be experiencing muscle cramps, numbness, and tingling of the extremities, and twitching of the facial muscle and eyelid when the facial nerve is tapped. THe nurse reports this assessment as consistent with which of the following?

Hypokalemia

Hypernatremia

Hypocalcemia

Hypermagnesemia

The client's symptoms of muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, twitching of facial muscles, and eyelid twitching are consistent with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is a condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood. Calcium is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, and twitching. The nurse's assessment findings align with the symptoms associated with hypocalcemia, making it the most appropriate answer choice.

Explanation

The client's symptoms of muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, twitching of facial muscles, and eyelid twitching are consistent with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is a condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood. Calcium is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, and twitching. The nurse's assessment findings align with the symptoms associated with hypocalcemia, making it the most appropriate answer choice.

6. The nurse is evaluating the serum laboratory results on the following four clients. Which of the following laboratory results is a priority for the nurse to report first?

A client with osteoporosis and and serum calcium level 10.6 mg/dl

A client with acute renal failure and Mg2+ level 2mEq/l

A client with eating disorder and potassium level 3.6mEq/L

A client with dehydration and sodium level 149 mEq/L

All other values are within normal limit. Hypernatremia is common with dehydration

Explanation

All other values are within normal limit. Hypernatremia is common with dehydration

7. The client is admitted to a nursing unit from a long-term care facility with a hematocrit of 56% and a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which condition would be a cause for these findings?

Overhydration

Anemia

Acute renal failure

Dehydration

Dehydration can cause an increase in hematocrit levels, as the blood becomes more concentrated due to a decrease in fluid volume. A high serum sodium level is also indicative of dehydration, as there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Therefore, dehydration is likely the cause of the client's elevated hematocrit and serum sodium levels.

Explanation

Dehydration can cause an increase in hematocrit levels, as the blood becomes more concentrated due to a decrease in fluid volume. A high serum sodium level is also indicative of dehydration, as there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Therefore, dehydration is likely the cause of the client's elevated hematocrit and serum sodium levels.

8. A client with pancreatitis has been receiving potassium supplementation for four days since being admitted with a serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L. Today the potassium level is 3.1 mEq/L. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse check before notifying the physician of the client's failure to respond to treatment?

Sodium

Phosphorous

Calcium

Magnesium

Low magnesium level facilitates excretion of potassium through urine

Explanation

Low magnesium level facilitates excretion of potassium through urine

9. The nurse should monitor for clinical manifestations of hypophosphatemia in which of the following clients?

A client on calcium and Vit. D supplementation for osteoporosis

Aclient receiving Total Parentral Nutrition

A client on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure

Aclient with hypoparathyroidism secondary to thyroid gland removal