Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Flashcards
7 cards from real NACE 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 client receiving IV fluids develops pitting edema, crackles in the lungs, and a bounding pulse. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
Answer: Fluid volume excess
Pitting edema, pulmonary crackles, and bounding pulse are classic signs of fluid volume excess (hypervolemia).
A nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. Which food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
Answer: Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided by clients with hyperkalemia.
Which clinical finding is most consistent with hypocalcemia?
Answer: Positive Trousseau's sign
Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) is a hallmark of hypocalcemia due to increased neuromuscular excitability.
A post-operative client has a urine output of 20 mL/hr for 2 consecutive hours. What is the nurse's priority action?
Answer: Notify the provider
Urine output below 30 mL/hr indicates oliguria and possible renal hypoperfusion; the provider must be notified promptly.
Which IV fluid is considered isotonic and is most appropriate for replacing extracellular fluid losses?
Answer: 0.9% NaCl
0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is isotonic and expands extracellular fluid without shifting water into or out of cells.
A client with chronic kidney disease has a serum phosphate of 6.5 mg/dL. The nurse anticipates which secondary electrolyte imbalance?
Answer: Hypocalcemia
Elevated phosphate binds calcium in the bloodstream, causing hypocalcemia in clients with chronic kidney disease.
The nurse is infusing D5W 0.45% NaCl. How does this solution behave once the dextrose is metabolized?
Answer: It becomes hypotonic, shifting fluid into cells
After dextrose is metabolized, the remaining 0.45% NaCl is hypotonic, causing free water to shift into cells.