Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Flashcards
7 cards from real NCLEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Fluid and Electrolyte Balance flashcards as text
A patient has a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which condition does this value indicate?
Answer: Hyponatremia
A serum sodium below 135 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia; normal range is 135–145 mEq/L.
Which electrolyte is the primary regulator of extracellular fluid osmolarity?
Answer: Sodium
Sodium is the dominant cation in extracellular fluid and the main determinant of extracellular osmolarity.
A patient receiving furosemide (Lasix) is at greatest risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
Answer: Hypokalemia
Loop diuretics such as furosemide cause significant potassium wasting through the renal tubules.
What is the normal serum potassium range?
Answer: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; values outside this range cause cardiac and neuromuscular complications.
Which clinical finding is most characteristic of fluid volume deficit (dehydration)?
Answer: Poor skin turgor
Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a classic sign of dehydration caused by loss of interstitial fluid.
A patient with hyperkalemia would most likely display which ECG change?
Answer: Peaked T waves
Peaked (tall, narrow) T waves are the earliest and most characteristic ECG finding in hyperkalemia.
Which condition is most likely to cause hypocalcemia?
Answer: Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism reduces PTH secretion, decreasing calcium reabsorption from bone and kidney and causing hypocalcemia.