Chapter 6. Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a patient with dehydration. The patient asks the nurse about the
cause. Which does the nurse identify as the most likely cause?
1. Constipation
2. Nausea
3. Kidney failure
4. Profuse diaphoresis
ANS: 4
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 3. Predict patients who are at the highest risk for dehydration and fluid excess.
Page: 54
Heading: Pathophysiology and Etiology
Integrated Process: Caring
Client Need: PHYS—Physiological Adaptation
Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Diarrhea, not constipation, is a cause of dehydration.
2 Vomiting, not nausea, is a contributing factor to dehydration.
3 Kidney failure is a cause of fluid volume excess.
4 Profuse diaphoresis is a common cause of dehydration.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume excess. Which medication can the nurse
expect to administer?
1. Pamidronate disodium (Aredia)
2. Potassium chloride
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Calcium gluconate
ANS: 3
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 5. Describe therapeutic measures for patients with fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
Page: 57
Heading: Drug Therapy
Integrated Process: Caring
Client Need: PHYS—Pharmacological Therapies
, Cognitive Level: Application (Applying)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Pamidronate disodium (Aredia) is used to treat hypercalcemia.
2 Potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia.
3 Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic used to remove fluid.
4 Calcium gluconate is used to treat hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
3. The nurse is told to administer IV fluid the same osmolarity as blood. Which fluid can the
nurse expect to administer?
1. 0.9% normal saline
2. 0.45% saline (1/2 NS)
3. 10% dextrose in water (D10W)
4. 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline (D5NS)
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 5. Describe therapeutic measures for patients with fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
Page: 54
Heading: Osmosis
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
Client Need: PHYS—Pharmacological Therapies
Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 0.9% normal saline is an isotonic solution (same osmolarity as blood).
2 1/2 NS is a hypotonic solution.
3 D10W is a hypertonic solution.
4 D5NS is a hypertonic solution.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
4. An older adult with gastroenteritis is disoriented and weak and has the following laboratory
test results:
Hematocrit (Hct) 56% (normal 40%–51%)
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 32 mg/dL (normal 6–20 mg/dL)
Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse select for this patient?
1. Risk for injury
2. Excess fluid volume
3. Deficient fluid volume
4. Impaired skin integrity
ANS: 3
Imbalances
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a patient with dehydration. The patient asks the nurse about the
cause. Which does the nurse identify as the most likely cause?
1. Constipation
2. Nausea
3. Kidney failure
4. Profuse diaphoresis
ANS: 4
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 3. Predict patients who are at the highest risk for dehydration and fluid excess.
Page: 54
Heading: Pathophysiology and Etiology
Integrated Process: Caring
Client Need: PHYS—Physiological Adaptation
Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Diarrhea, not constipation, is a cause of dehydration.
2 Vomiting, not nausea, is a contributing factor to dehydration.
3 Kidney failure is a cause of fluid volume excess.
4 Profuse diaphoresis is a common cause of dehydration.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume excess. Which medication can the nurse
expect to administer?
1. Pamidronate disodium (Aredia)
2. Potassium chloride
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Calcium gluconate
ANS: 3
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 5. Describe therapeutic measures for patients with fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
Page: 57
Heading: Drug Therapy
Integrated Process: Caring
Client Need: PHYS—Pharmacological Therapies
, Cognitive Level: Application (Applying)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 Pamidronate disodium (Aredia) is used to treat hypercalcemia.
2 Potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia.
3 Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic used to remove fluid.
4 Calcium gluconate is used to treat hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
3. The nurse is told to administer IV fluid the same osmolarity as blood. Which fluid can the
nurse expect to administer?
1. 0.9% normal saline
2. 0.45% saline (1/2 NS)
3. 10% dextrose in water (D10W)
4. 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline (D5NS)
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 6 Nursing Care of Patients With Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base
Imbalances
Objective: 5. Describe therapeutic measures for patients with fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
Page: 54
Heading: Osmosis
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
Client Need: PHYS—Pharmacological Therapies
Cognitive Level: Analysis (Analyzing)
Concept: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 0.9% normal saline is an isotonic solution (same osmolarity as blood).
2 1/2 NS is a hypotonic solution.
3 D10W is a hypertonic solution.
4 D5NS is a hypertonic solution.
PTS: 1 CON: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
4. An older adult with gastroenteritis is disoriented and weak and has the following laboratory
test results:
Hematocrit (Hct) 56% (normal 40%–51%)
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 32 mg/dL (normal 6–20 mg/dL)
Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse select for this patient?
1. Risk for injury
2. Excess fluid volume
3. Deficient fluid volume
4. Impaired skin integrity
ANS: 3
