A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Decreased serum pH.

Increased serum calcium.

Decreased serum magnesium.

Increased serum bicarbonate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A: Decreased serum pH. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes increased serum pH, not decreased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic alkalosis, a condition where the blood is too alkaline due to loss of acid from the body. This can happen in cases of vomiting, diuretic use, or mineralocorticoid excess.

Choice B:

Increased serum calcium. This is incorrect because hypokalemia does not directly affect serum calcium levels. However, hypokalemia can cause hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, which can in turn cause hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels. This is because magnesium is needed for the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium balance in the body. Low magnesium levels can lead to increased PTH secretion and increased calcium reabsorption from the bones and kidneys.

Choice C:

Decreased serum magnesium. This is correct because hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia often occur together, especially in cases of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, alcoholism, or diuretic use. This is because potassium and magnesium are both lost in the urine or stool when these conditions are present. Hypomagnesemia can also cause hypokalemia by impairing the reabsorption of potassium in the kidneys and increasing the entry of potassium into the cells.

Choice D:

Increased serum bicarbonate. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes decreased serum bicarbonate, not increased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic acidosis, a condition where the blood is too acidic due to accumulation of acid in the body. This can happen in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis, or chronic kidney disease.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Hypernatremia is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids do not contain excessive amounts of sodium. Hypernatremia is more likely to occur with hypertonic saline solutions or excessive sodium intake.

Choice B reason:

Hypokalemia is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids contain potassium, which can help prevent or correct hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is more likely to occur with diuretic therapy, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Choice C reason:

Hyperchloremic acidosis is a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids can increase the serum chloride level and lower the serum bicarbonate level, resulting in a metabolic acidosis. Hyperchloremic acidosis can also worsen the client's existing metabolic alkalosis by impairing the renal excretion of hydrogen ions.

Choice D reason:

Hypochloremic alkalosis is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids do not cause a loss of chloride or an increase in bicarbonate. Hypochloremic alkalosis is more likely to occur with vomiting, gastric suctioning, or diuretic therapy.

A. Serum sodium. B. Serum potassium. C. Serum chloride. D. Serum bicarbonate.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Serum sodium is not directly related to the acid-base balance of the body. Sodium bicarbonate therapy does not affect the serum sodium level significantly. Therefore, monitoring serum sodium is not an effective way to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.

Choice B reason:

Serum potassium is inversely related to the serum pH. As the pH increases, the potassium level decreases, and vice versa. Sodium bicarbonate therapy raises the pH and lowers the potassium level. Therefore, monitoring serum potassium is important to prevent hypokalemia, but it does not directly reflect the acid-base balance of the body.

Choice C reason:

Serum chloride is inversely related to the serum bicarbonate level. As the bicarbonate level increases, the chloride level decreases, and vice versa. Sodium bicarbonate therapy increases the bicarbonate level and decreases the chloride level. Therefore, monitoring serum chloride is important to prevent hypochloremia, but it does not directly reflect the acid-base balance of the body.

Choice D reason:

Serum bicarbonate is directly related to the acid-base balance of the body. The normal range of serum bicarbonate is 22 to 26 mEq/L. In metabolic acidosis, the bicarbonate level is low, and in metabolic alkalosis, it is high. Sodium bicarbonate therapy aims to increase the bicarbonate level and correct metabolic acidosis. Therefore, monitoring serum bicarbonate is the most effective way to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis and is receiving sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications of this therapy?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic acidosis and is receiving sodium bicarbonate IV bolus and infusion to correct the pH imbalance. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient has been admitted with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes as a result of this laboratory value?

A nurse is planning care for a client who has overhydration and hyponatremia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is monitoring a patient who has a central venous catheter in place for signs of complications. Which of the following are potential complications of central venous catheters? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of IV fluid therapy for a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings indicates improvement?

A nurse is administering albumin to a client who has hypovolemic shock due to hemorrhage. The nurse understands that albumin is which of the following types of solutions?

A nurse is planning care for a client who has hyponatremia and is receiving IV fluid therapy with 3% sodium chloride solution. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is administering dextrose 10% in water (D10W) to a patient who needs some nutrition with glucose. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform? (Select all that apply.)