Basic Nursing Skills Nutrition & Fluid Balance

Question 1

A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this as:

Accepted Answer

Hyponatremia

Answer

Normal serum sodium is 135–145 mEq/L; a level of 128 mEq/L is below normal, indicating hyponatremia.

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of dehydration include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Bounding pulse

Answer

Dehydration causes a weak, thready pulse due to reduced circulating volume — a bounding pulse is associated with fluid overload, not dehydration.

Question 3

Which IV fluid is isotonic and used for fluid replacement and maintenance?

Accepted Answer

0.9% NaCl (normal saline)

Answer

0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is isotonic, matching the osmolarity of blood plasma, making it the most common fluid for replacement and maintenance.

Question 4

The nurse is assessing a patient for fluid overload. Which finding supports this assessment?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral edema and crackles in the lungs

Answer

Peripheral edema and pulmonary crackles (from fluid accumulation in lung interstitium) are hallmark signs of fluid overload (hypervolemia).

Question 5

A diet high in which mineral is the most important dietary modification for a patient with hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Sodium restriction

Answer

Sodium restriction (typically <2,300 mg/day) is the primary dietary modification for hypertension because sodium causes fluid retention and increases blood pressure.

Basic Nursing Skills Practice Test

Basic Nursing Skills Practice Test

Basic Nursing Skills Nutrition & Fluid Balance