A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of fluid therapy for a client who has hypernatremia. Which of the following findings indicates improvement? (Select all that apply.)
Decreased thirst.
Increased urine output.
Decreased serum sodium level.
Increased level of consciousness.
Decreased edema.
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D
Choice A reason:
Decreased thirst. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia causes increased thirst due to high sodium levels in the blood. Decreased thirst indicates that the fluid therapy has restored the normal balance of sodium and water in the body.
Choice B reason:
Increased urine output. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia can cause decreased urine output due to dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Increased urine output indicates that the fluid therapy has replenished the body's water and helped the kidneys excrete excess sodium.
Choice C reason:
Decreased serum sodium level. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium level higher than 145 mEq/L. Decreased serum sodium level indicates that the fluid therapy has diluted the blood and lowered the sodium concentration to within the normal range.
Choice D reason:
Increased level of consciousness. This is a sign of improvement because hypernatremia can cause confusion, lethargy, or coma due to the effects of high sodium levels on the brain. Increased level of consciousness indicates that the fluid therapy has improved the brain function and reduced the risk of brain injury.
Choice E reason:
Decreased edema. This is not a sign of improvement because hypernatremia does not cause edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces. Edema is more likely to occur in conditions such as hypervolemia (excess fluid volume) or hyponatremia (low sodium levels) Decreased edema may indicate that the fluid therapy has caused fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance, which can be harmful.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Crystalloid solutions are fluids that contain electrolytes and can diffuse across semipermeable membranes. They are used to treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and hypovolemia. However, they are not as effective as colloids in expanding the intravascular volume and maintaining the blood pressure. Therefore, choice A is incorrect.
Choice B reason:
Colloid solutions are fluids that contain large molecules such as proteins, starches, or gelatin that cannot cross the capillary membrane. They exert an osmotic pressure that draws fluid from the interstitial and intracellular spaces into the intravascular space. They are used to treat hypovolemic shock, burns, and hemorrhage. Albumin is a type of colloid solution that is derived from human plasma and contains 5% or 25% protein. It increases the plasma volume and the blood pressure by increasing the oncotic pressure. Therefore, choice B is correct.
Choice C reason:
Hypertonic solutions are fluids that have a higher osmolarity than the blood plasma. They draw water out of the cells and into the intravascular space. They are used to treat hyponatremia, cerebral edema, and severe dehydration. However, they can cause fluid overload, hypertension, and cellular dehydration if given in excess. Therefore, choice C is incorrect.
Choice D reason:
Hypotonic solutions are fluids that have a lower osmolarity than the blood plasma. They provide free water and electrolytes to the cells and the interstitial space. They are used to treat hypernatremia, cellular dehydration, and fluid loss due to burns or diuresis. However, they can cause fluid shifts from the intravascular space to the interstitial and intracellular spaces, resulting in hypovolemia, hypotension, and edema. Therefore, choice D is incorrect.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is an isotonic solution, not a hypotonic one. Isotonic solutions have the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma and do not cause fluid movement across the cell membrane.
Choice B reason:
This is incorrect because 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is an isotonic solution, not a hypertonic one. Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of solutes than blood plasma and cause fluid to move out of the cells and into the vascular space.
Choice C reason:
This is correct because 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is an isotonic solution that will expand the vascular space by adding fluid without changing the concentration of solutes. This is useful for patients with hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood) who need to restore their fluid and electrolyte balance.
Choice D reason:
This is incorrect because 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is an isotonic solution that will expand the vascular space by adding fluid without changing the concentration of solutes. It will not have no effect on fluid movement, as it will increase the intravascular volume.
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