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 A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Decreased urine specific gravity indicates improvement in hydration status. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. It reflects the ability of the kidney to concentrate or dilute urine. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates concentrated urine, which can be caused by dehydration, reduced renal blood flow, or increased fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.010) indicates diluted urine, which can be caused by overhydration, diuretic use, or impaired renal function. A normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.010 to 1.030.

Choice B reason:

Increased hematocrit level indicates worsening of dehydration. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. It is affected by the plasma volume and the number of red blood cells. A high hematocrit (>47% for males and >42% for females) indicates hemoconcentration, which can be caused by dehydration, polycythemia, or hypoxia. A low hematocrit (<37% for males and <32% for females) indicates hemodilution, which can be caused by overhydration, anemia, or hemorrhage. A normal hematocrit ranges from 37% to 47% for males and 32% to 42% for females.

Choice C reason:

Decreased skin turgor indicates persistent dehydration. Skin turgor is the elasticity of the skin that reflects its hydration status. It is assessed by pinching a fold of skin on the chest, abdomen, or forearm and releasing it. Normally, the skin should return to its original position in less than 3 seconds. If the skin remains elevated or takes longer to return, it indicates poor skin turgor, which can be caused by dehydration, aging, or edema.

Choice D reason:

Increased serum osmolarity indicates worsening of dehydration. Serum osmolarity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood plasma. It reflects the balance between water and electrolytes in the body fluids. A high serum osmolarity (>300 mOsm/kg) indicates hyperosmolarity, which can be caused by dehydration, hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, or mannitol infusion. A low serum osmolarity (<280 mOsm/kg) indicates hypoosmolarity, which can be caused by overhydration, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), or diuretic use. A normal serum osmolarity ranges from 280 to 300 mOsm/kg.

A. Shave the hair around the insertion site. B. Obtain informed consent from the patient. C. Administer prophylactic antibiotics to the patient. D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Shaving the hair around the insertion site is not recommended because it can cause skin irritation and increase the risk of infection.

Choice B reason:

Obtaining informed consent from the patient is important, but it is not a step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. Informed consent should be obtained by the physician or advanced practice nurse who will perform the procedure.

Choice C reason:

Administering prophylactic antibiotics to the patient is not a routine practice for central venous catheter insertion. Antibiotics may be indicated for patients with certain risk factors, such as immunosuppression, but they should be prescribed by the physician or advanced practice nurse.

Choice D reason:

Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position is an important step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. This position helps to distend the jugular vein and reduce the risk of air embolism during catheter insertion.

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

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to insert a central venous catheter into a patient's right internal jugular vein using ultrasound guidance. What is an important step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid overload. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider? (Select all that apply.)

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?

A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic acidosis due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Which of the following manifestations should the nurse monitor?

A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis and is receiving an insulin infusion and IV fluids containing dextrose and normal saline. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications of fluid therapy?

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

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe burns who is receiving IV fluid resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution. The nurse understands that this type of solution is used for this patient because it:

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.)