Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause abdominal pain, urinary retention, and confusion?
Sodium (Na+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Phosphates (PO4^3^-)
Potassium (K+)
The Correct Answer is B
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because intracellular fluid is greater than extracellular fluid in a hypertonic state, not an isotonic state. A hypertonic state is when the solute concentration of the extracellular fluid is higher than the intracellular fluid, which causes water to move out of the cells and shrink them.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because extracellular fluid is less than intracellular fluid in a hypotonic state, not an isotonic state. A hypotonic state is when the solute concentration of the extracellular fluid is lower than the intracellular fluid, which causes water to move into the cells and swell them.
Choice C reason: This is correct because intracellular and extracellular fluid is equal in an isotonic state. An isotonic state is when the solute concentration of the extracellular fluid is the same as the intracellular fluid, which causes no net movement of water across the cell membrane.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because interstitial fluid is less than the transcellular fluid in a situation of fluid imbalance, not an isotonic state. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds the cells, while transcellular fluid is the fluid that is contained in specialized cavities, such as cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, or pleural fluid. The amount of transcellular fluid is normally very small compared to the interstitial fluid, but it can increase in certain conditions, such as edema, ascites, or hydrocephalus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Renal failure can cause hyperkalemia because the kidneys are unable to excrete excess potassium from the body. This can lead to high levels of potassium in the blood, which can affect the heart and muscles.
Choice B reason: Diarrhea can cause hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, because it can lead to loss of potassium from the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in low levels of potassium in the blood, which can also affect the heart and muscles.
Choice C reason: Blood transfusion can cause hyperkalemia if the blood is old or hemolyzed, meaning that the red blood cells have broken down and released potassium into the plasma. This can increase the potassium levels in the recipient's blood.
Choice D reason: Diaphoresis, or sweating, can cause hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, because it can lead to loss of potassium from the skin. This can also lower the potassium levels in the blood.
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