What is the normal range of serum sodium in adults?

120 to 140 mEq/L

135 to 145 mEq/L

150 to 160 mEq/L

165 to 175 mEq/L

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because 120 to 140 mEq/L is a low range for serum sodium, which indicates hyponatremia. Hyponatremia can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma.

Choice B reason: This is correct because 135 to 145 mEq/L is the normal range of serum sodium in adults. Sodium is essential for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because 150 to 160 mEq/L is a high range for serum sodium, which indicates hypernatremia. Hypernatremia can cause thirst, dry mouth, agitation, and convulsions.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because 165 to 175 mEq/L is a very high range for serum sodium, which indicates severe hypernatremia. Severe hypernatremia can cause irreversible brain damage and death.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Sodium (Na+) imbalance can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or coma, but not abdominal pain or urinary retention.

Choice B reason: Calcium (Ca2+) imbalance can cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion, as well as muscle weakness, bone pain, and cardiac arrhythmias. These signs are the result of an inadequate supply of calcium, which is essential for nerve and muscle function, as well as bone health.

Choice C reason: Chloride (Cl-) imbalance can cause acid-base disorders such as metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

Choice D reason: Phosphates (PO4^3^-) imbalance can cause bone and muscle problems, such as rickets, osteomalacia, or tetany, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

Choice E reason: Potassium (K+) imbalance can cause cardiac and neuromuscular symptoms, such as arrhythmias, palpitations, muscle weakness, or paralysis, but not abdominal pain, urinary retention, or confusion.

A. Producing phosphate buffers B. Adjusting PaCO2 levels C. Producing protein buffers D. Excreting or reabsorbing hydrogen or bicarbonate

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Producing phosphate buffers is not the main function of the kidneys in response to acid-base disturbances. Phosphate buffers are mainly found in the intracellular fluid and the urine, where they help to maintain the pH by binding or releasing hydrogen ions.

Choice B reason: Adjusting PaCO2 levels is not the function of the kidneys, but rather the function of the lungs in response to acid-base disturbances. The lungs regulate the PaCO2 levels by increasing or decreasing the rate and depth of respiration, which affects the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled.

Choice C reason: Producing protein buffers is not the function of the kidneys, but rather the function of the cells and the plasma in response to acid-base disturbances. Protein buffers are the most abundant and versatile buffers in the body, as they can act as acids or bases by donating or accepting hydrogen ions.

Choice D reason: Excreting or reabsorbing hydrogen or bicarbonate is the main function of the kidneys in response to acid-base disturbances. The kidneys regulate the HCO3- levels by either reabsorbing it from the filtrate or generating it from carbon dioxide and water. The kidneys also regulate the hydrogen ion levels by either excreting it into the urine or exchanging it for sodium ions.

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What is the normal range of serum sodium in adults?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The kidneys respond to acid-base disturbances by:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with leukemia and notes that the client has poor skin turgor and flat neck and hand veins. The nurse suspects hypernatremia. Which sign/symptom would the nurse expect to note in this client if hypernatremia is present?

Hyponatremia may be caused by:

An anxious adult patient is experiencing a respiratory rate of 40 breaths/min. The most appropriate intervention that the nurse could do is to instruct the patient to:

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A nurse is collecting data from a patient who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

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The nurse reviews the client's serum calcium level and notes that the level is 7.9 mg/dL. The nurse understands that which condition would cause this serum calcium level?

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