A patient is admited with hypernatremia caused by being stranded on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean for two days without water. What is the patient at risk for developing?

Cerebral bleeding

Pulmonary edema

Cardiac arrhythmias

Seizures

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A: Cerebral bleeding is incorrect because it is not a common complication of hypernatremia, which is a high sodium level in the blood. Cerebral bleeding can be caused by conditions such as head trauma, stroke, or aneurysm.

Choice B: Pulmonary edema is incorrect because it is a condition where ﬂuid accumulates in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Pulmonary edema can be caused by conditions such as heart failure, kidney failure, or lung injury.

Choice C: Cardiac arrhythmias is correct because it is a condition where the heart beats irregularly, too fast, or too slow. Cardiac arrhythmias can be caused by hypernatremia, which can aﬀect the electrical activity and contractility of the heart muscle. Hypernatremia can also cause dehydration, hypovolemia, and hypotension, which can impair the blood ﬂow and oxygen delivery to the heart.

Choice D: Seizures is incorrect because it is a condition where abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes convulsions, loss of consciousness, or altered behavior. Seizures can be caused by conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumor, or infection.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A: Sodium 165 mEq/L is incorrect. This value indicates hypernatremia, which is a high level of sodium in the blood. Hypernatremia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal sodium level is between 135 and 145 mEq/L.

Choice B: Potassium 5.2 mEq/L is incorrect. This value indicates hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood. Hyperkalemia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal potassium level is between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L.

Choice C: Urine specific gravity 1.020 is correct. This value indicates that the urine is concentrated, but within the normal range. Urine specific gravity measures the amount of solutes in the urine compared to water. A high urine specific gravity indicates dehydration, while a low urine specific gravity indicates overhydration. A normal urine specific gravity is between 1.005 and 1.030.

Choice D: Hct 62% is incorrect. This value indicates polycythemia, which is a high level of red blood cells in the blood. Polycythemia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal hematocrit (Hct) level is between 37% and 52% for men and between 32% and 47% for women.

A. 18 mg/dL B. 10 mg/dL C. 13 mg/dL D. 25 mg/dL

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A: 18 mg/dL is incorrect because it is within the normal range of BUN, which is 7 to 20 mg/dL. BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, which is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. BUN can reﬂect the kidney function and hydration status of the client.

Choice B: 10 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A low BUN level can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or overhydration.

Choice C: 13 mg/dL is incorrect because it is also within the normal range of BUN. A normal BUN level does not necessarily rule out dehydration, as other factors such as diet, medications, and blood loss can aﬀect the BUN level.

Choice D: 25 mg/dL is correct because it is above the normal range of BUN and indicates a high BUN level. A high BUN level can indicate dehydration, kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, heart failure, or excessive protein intake. The nurse should report this value to the provider as it may require further evaluation and treatment.

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A patient is admited with hypernatremia caused by being stranded on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean for two days without water. What is the patient at risk for developing?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV ﬂuids to correct dehydration. Which of the following laboratory values should indicate to the nurse that the client is eﬀectively responding to treatment?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following BUN lab values should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as a potential causative factor?

A patient with atrial fibrillation and a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L takes digoxin (Lanoxin), ASA (aspirin), KCL (potassium chloride) and warfarin (Coumadin) daily. The patient reports visual disturbances. The nurse suspects problems with which medication?

A nurse is teaching a client who is on a low-sodium diet. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is reviewing the medical records of four clients who have an acid-base imbalance. The nurse should recognize that which of the following clients is at risk for metabolic acidosis?

A patient with ﬂuid overload is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) 20 mg by mouth each day. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient about this medication? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is concerned that a patient recovering from a thyroidectomy is developing hypocalcemia. What findings did the nurse use to come to this conclusion? Select all that apply.

An older patient comes into the clinic complaining of watery diarrhea for several days with abdominal and muscle cramping. The nurse realizes that this patient is demonstrating which imbalance?

A patient has a serum phosphate level of 4.7 mg/dL. Which treatments should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient? Select all that apply.