What is the most accurate indicator of fluid loss or gain in acutely ill patients?
Daily weight.
Intake and output.
Serum osmolality.
Urine specific gravity.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A. Daily weight.
According to MDCalc, daily weight is the most accurate indicator of fluid loss or gain in acutely ill patients, as it reflects changes in total body water.
A weight change of 1 kg corresponds to a fluid change of approximately 1 L.
Choice B is wrong because intake and output measurements can be inaccurate or incomplete, and do not account for insensible fluid losses.
Choice C is wrong because serum osmolality reflects the concentration of solutes in the blood, not the volume of fluid.
Choice D is wrong because urine specific gravity reflects the concentration of solutes in the urine, not the volume of fluid.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Fluid overload, also called hypervolemia, is a condition in which the body has too much water.
It can cause edema, hypertension, shortness of breath, and cardiovascular problems.
Diuretics are medications that help the body remove excess fluid through urine.
They are commonly used to treat fluid overload caused by heart failure, kidney failure, cirrhosis, and other conditions.
Choice B is wrong because encouraging increased fluid intake would worsen the fluid overload and increase the risk of complications.
Choice C is wrong because providing a high-sodium diet would also worsen the fluid overload and increase the risk of complications.
Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates fluid balance in the body.
Excess sodium intake can cause water retention and increase blood pressure.
Choice D is wrong because elevating the affected extremities is not an appropriate intervention for fluid overload.
Elevating the extremities can help reduce swelling caused by local factors such as injury or inflammation, but it does not address the underlying cause of fluid overload.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because acute renal failure is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. This can lead to fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient’s urine output and fluid balance to assess the severity of the renal impairment and prevent complications.
Choice A is wrong because administering a potassium-sparing diuretic would worsen the patient’s hyperkalemia, which is a common complication of acute renal failure.
Choice B is wrong because encouraging the patient to consume a high-sodium diet would increase the patient’s fluid retention and blood pressure, which can further damage the kidneys.
Choice D is wrong because administering intravenous antibiotics is not a priority intervention for acute renal failure unless there is a specific indication of infection.
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