Nutrition & Fluid Balance Flashcards
6 cards from real Basic Nursing Skills practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Nutrition & Fluid Balance flashcards as text
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with muscle cramps, weakness, and cardiac dysrhythmias?
Answer: Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (low potassium) causes muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, and dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias including U waves on ECG.
Before inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube, the nurse should:
Answer: Measure from the nose to the ear to the xiphoid process
The NEX measurement (nose to ear to xiphoid process) estimates the length of tubing needed to reach the stomach.
After inserting an NG tube, the most reliable method to verify placement is:
Answer: Confirming placement with an X-ray
Radiographic confirmation (X-ray) is the gold standard for verifying NG tube placement before initiating feedings or medications.
A patient receiving enteral tube feedings develops abdominal distension, nausea, and high gastric residual volumes. The nurse should:
Answer: Hold the feeding and notify the provider
High gastric residual volumes with abdominal distension and nausea suggest intolerance or aspiration risk; tube feedings should be held and the provider notified.
Which dietary teaching point is most important for a patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes?
Answer: Distribute carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day
Consistent carbohydrate distribution throughout the day helps maintain stable blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A patient's intake and output record shows 2,800 mL intake and 1,200 mL output in 24 hours. The nurse should recognize this as:
Answer: Positive fluid balance indicating potential overload
A positive fluid balance of 1,600 mL (intake 2,800 − output 1,200) indicates fluid retention, which may cause overload if prolonged.