A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury. The nurse notes the client's IV ﬂuids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?

Slow the rate to 50 mL/hr.

Increase the rate to 250 mL/hr.

Slow the rate to 20 mL/hr.

Continue the rate at 125 mL/hr.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because slowing the rate to 50 mL/hr may not be enough to prevent cerebral edema, which is a common complication of head injury. Cerebral edema is a swelling of the brain tissue due to increased ﬂuid accumulation. It can cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which can lead to brain damage or death. Therefore, the nurse should limit the ﬂuid intake of the client with head injury to avoid worsening the condition.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because increasing the rate to 250 mL/hr may cause ﬂuid overload, which can also increase the ICP and worsen the cerebral edema. Fluid overload is a condition in which the body has too much ﬂuid, which can impair the function of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Therefore, the nurse should avoid giving too much ﬂuid to the client with head injury.

Choice C Reason: This choice is correct because slowing the rate to 20 mL/hr may help to maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance, while preventing ﬂuid overload and cerebral edema. This is a conservative approach that can be used until the client's neurological status and ICP are assessed and monitored.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because continuing the rate at 125 mL/hr may not be appropriate for the client with head injury, depending on their individual needs and condition. The nurse should adjust the ﬂuid rate according to the client's vital signs, urine output, serum osmolality, and ICP. Therefore, the nurse should not assume that this rate is optimal for the client without further evaluation.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because warm, ﬂushed skin is not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Warm, ﬂushed skin may indicate fever, infection, inﬂammation, or allergic reaction, but it does not reﬂect the acid-base imbalance in the blood.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because hyperactive deep tendon reﬂexes are not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Hyperactive deep tendon reﬂexes may indicate hypocalcemia, hyperthyroidism, or spinal cord injury, but they do not reﬂect the carbon dioxide level in the blood.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because bounding peripheral pulses are not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Bounding peripheral pulses may indicate increased cardiac output, anxiety, or hyperthyroidism, but they do not reﬂect the pH level in the blood.

Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because widened QRS complexes are a sign of respiratory acidosis. QRS complexes are the segments on an electrocardiogram (ECG) that represent the depolarization of the ventricles. A normal QRS complex duration is 0.06 to 0.10 seconds, and a widened QRS complex duration is more than 0.12 seconds. A widened QRS complex may indicate hyperkalemia, which is a common complication of kidney failure and respiratory acidosis. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the serum potassium level is higher than normal (more than 5 mEq/L). It may cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, or paralysis.

A. Dextrose 5% in 0.9% sodium chloride B. Dextrose 5% in water C. 0.9% sodium chloride D. Lactated Ringer's

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because dextrose 5% in 0.9% sodium chloride is a hypertonic solution that can cause ﬂuid overload and pulmonary edema in a client who has burns.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because dextrose 5% in water is a hypotonic solution that can cause ﬂuid shifts from the intravascular space to the interstitial space, resulting in hypovolemia and hypotension in a client who has burns.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic solution that can cause hypernatremia and hyperchloremia in a client who has burns, as the ﬂuid loss from burns is greater than the sodium loss.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because lactated Ringer's is an isotonic solution that contains electrolytes similar to plasma, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride. It also contains lactate, which is converted to bicarbonate in the liver and helps correct the metabolic acidosis that occurs in a client who has burns.

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A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury. The nurse notes the client's IV ﬂuids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?

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