NUR 355 Exam 4 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Sodium Normal Range - CORRECT ANSWER - 135-145 mEq/L
Sodium main function - CORRECT ANSWER - Helps Maintain blood volume & blood
pressure
*Memory trick- (S)odium (S)wells, sodium causes the body to retain water. Sodium imbalance
can lead to neuro changes
*Sodium = Brain*
Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - high levels of sodium in the blood (>145)
Hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - low levels of sodium in the blood (<135)
Signs of Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - *FRIED SALT*
Flushed skin
Restless (anxious,confused, irritable)
Increased BP & Fluid retention
Edema (pitting)
Decreased urine output
Skin is dried
Agitation
Low grade fever
Thirst
Signs of hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - *SALT LOSS*
Stupor/coma
,Anorexia
Lethargy
Tachycardia
Limp muscles (muscle weakness)
Orthostatuc hypotension
Seizures/headaches
Stomach cramping
Risk factors for hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased sodium intake, loss of
fluids
Decrease water = increase sodium
Risk factors for hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - Loss of sodium from the 5D's
- Diaphoresis
-Diarrhea & vomiting
-Drains (NGT suction)
-Diuretics
-siaDh (Dilution)
Treatment for hypernatrmia - CORRECT ANSWER - -Restrict sodium intake
- Adm. IV fluids if due to fluid loss (Isotonic or hypotonic solutions)
Treatments for hyponatrmia - CORRECT ANSWER - TREAT UNDERLYING CAUSES!
-Adm. IV fluids (Hypertonic solutions- contain high amounts of salt)
- place patient on seizure precaution
- Fluid restriction (They are in fluid volume overload)
, - NPO (Never give food to a patient who is lethargic, confused, or in a comatose state, they are at
risk for aspiration)
Potassium Normal range - CORRECT ANSWER - 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (*Memory trick*
BANANAS- theres about 3-5 in every bundle and you want them half ripe!)
Potassium Main Function - CORRECT ANSWER - Helps muscles to contract (including the
heart muscle)
*Memory trick (P)otassium (P)umps
*Potassium = Heart*
Hyperkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - excessive potassium in the blood (>5)
Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - Low potassium levels in the blood (<3.5)
Signs of Hyperkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - *MURDER*
• Muscle weakness
• Urine, oliguria or anuria
• Respiratory distress
• Decreased cardiac contractility
• EKG changes (Peaked T waves or small P waves)
• Reflexes, hyper or hypo
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Sodium Normal Range - CORRECT ANSWER - 135-145 mEq/L
Sodium main function - CORRECT ANSWER - Helps Maintain blood volume & blood
pressure
*Memory trick- (S)odium (S)wells, sodium causes the body to retain water. Sodium imbalance
can lead to neuro changes
*Sodium = Brain*
Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - high levels of sodium in the blood (>145)
Hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - low levels of sodium in the blood (<135)
Signs of Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - *FRIED SALT*
Flushed skin
Restless (anxious,confused, irritable)
Increased BP & Fluid retention
Edema (pitting)
Decreased urine output
Skin is dried
Agitation
Low grade fever
Thirst
Signs of hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - *SALT LOSS*
Stupor/coma
,Anorexia
Lethargy
Tachycardia
Limp muscles (muscle weakness)
Orthostatuc hypotension
Seizures/headaches
Stomach cramping
Risk factors for hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased sodium intake, loss of
fluids
Decrease water = increase sodium
Risk factors for hyponatremia - CORRECT ANSWER - Loss of sodium from the 5D's
- Diaphoresis
-Diarrhea & vomiting
-Drains (NGT suction)
-Diuretics
-siaDh (Dilution)
Treatment for hypernatrmia - CORRECT ANSWER - -Restrict sodium intake
- Adm. IV fluids if due to fluid loss (Isotonic or hypotonic solutions)
Treatments for hyponatrmia - CORRECT ANSWER - TREAT UNDERLYING CAUSES!
-Adm. IV fluids (Hypertonic solutions- contain high amounts of salt)
- place patient on seizure precaution
- Fluid restriction (They are in fluid volume overload)
, - NPO (Never give food to a patient who is lethargic, confused, or in a comatose state, they are at
risk for aspiration)
Potassium Normal range - CORRECT ANSWER - 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (*Memory trick*
BANANAS- theres about 3-5 in every bundle and you want them half ripe!)
Potassium Main Function - CORRECT ANSWER - Helps muscles to contract (including the
heart muscle)
*Memory trick (P)otassium (P)umps
*Potassium = Heart*
Hyperkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - excessive potassium in the blood (>5)
Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - Low potassium levels in the blood (<3.5)
Signs of Hyperkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - *MURDER*
• Muscle weakness
• Urine, oliguria or anuria
• Respiratory distress
• Decreased cardiac contractility
• EKG changes (Peaked T waves or small P waves)
• Reflexes, hyper or hypo
