A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about the importance of limiting sodium intake. The client asks, "How does sodium affect my condition?” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Sodium attracts water and increases the fluid volume in your blood vessels.”

"Sodium causes water to move out of your cells and into your urine.”

"Sodium stimulates your kidneys to retain water and decrease urine output.”

"Sodium interferes with the action of your heart medications."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:

Sodium attracts water and increases the fluid volume in your blood vessels. This is the correct answer because sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids in the body. When there is too much sodium in the blood, it draws water from the cells and tissues into the blood vessels, increasing the blood volume and pressure. This puts extra strain on the heart and can worsen heart failure symptoms.

Choice B reason:

Sodium causes water to move out of your cells and into your urine. This is incorrect because sodium does not cause water to move out of the cells and into the urine. In fact, sodium can cause water retention by stimulating the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which reduces urine output and increases blood volume.

Choice C reason:

Sodium stimulates your kidneys to retain water and decrease urine output. This is incorrect because sodium does not directly stimulate the kidneys to retain water and decrease urine output. However, sodium can indirectly affect the kidney function by increasing the blood volume and pressure, which can damage the kidney cells and impair their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the body.

Choice D reason:

Sodium interferes with the action of your heart medications. This is incorrect because sodium does not interfere with the action of your heart medications. However, some heart medications, such as diuretics, can cause sodium loss in the urine, which can lead to low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) This can cause symptoms such as confusion, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps. Therefore, it is important to monitor your sodium intake and blood levels while taking heart medications.

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:

Increased hematocrit is not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of dehydration. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood volume. When the blood volume decreases due to fluid loss, the hematocrit increases.

Choice B reason:

Decreased heart rate is not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of fluid deficit. When the blood volume increases due to fluid retention, the heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output.

Choice C reason:

Crackles in the lungs are a finding of fluid overload. Crackles are caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which interferes with gas exchange and produces a crackling sound on auscultation.

Choice D reason:

Sunken eyeballs are not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of dehydration. Sunken eyeballs are caused by loss of subcutaneous fat and tissue turgor due to fluid loss. Some additional sentences are.

A. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L. B. Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L. C. Serum glucose 90 mg/dL. D. Serum urea nitrogen 25 mg/dL.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Serum sodium 140 mEq/L is a normal value and does not indicate an increase in osmolality. Osmolality is the concentration of dissolved particles in a fluid. Sodium is one of the main electrolytes that affect osmolality, but a normal sodium level does not necessarily mean a normal osmolality.

Choice B reason:

Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L is also a normal value and does not indicate an increase in osmolality. Potassium is another electrolyte that affects osmolality, but it has a smaller effect than sodium. A normal potassium level does not necessarily mean a normal osmolality.

Choice C reason:

Serum glucose 90 mg/dL is also a normal value and does not indicate an increase in osmolality. Glucose is another substance that affects osmolality, but it has a smaller effect than electrolytes. A normal glucose level does not necessarily mean a normal osmolality.

Choice D reason:

Serum urea nitrogen 25 mg/dL is an elevated value and indicates an increase in osmolality. Urea nitrogen is a waste product of protein metabolism that is excreted by the kidneys. Urea nitrogen is one of the main substances that affect osmolality, along with sodium and glucose. An elevated urea nitrogen level means that the blood is more concentrated and has less water. This can be caused by dehydration, which is a common condition in clients who have dehydration. Dehydration leads to an increase in serum osmolality and activation of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which results in urinary concentration. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

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 teaching a client who has heart failure about the importance of limiting sodium intake. The client asks, "How does sodium affect my condition?” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid overload. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings indicates an increase in osmolality?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about the importance of limiting sodium intake. The client asks, "How does sodium affect my condition?” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a severe burn injury and is receiving intravenous fluid replacement therapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to monitor fluid shifts in this client? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous fluids to a client who has hypovolemia due to vomiting and diarrhea. The nurse should anticipate using which of the following types of solutions first?