Which patient is at the highest risk for dehydration?
Elderly patient with fever and nausea and vomiting
Teenager who has intentionally limited fluid intake to avoid weight gain
Young patient with diarrhea
Infant who has a fever
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Elderly patients are at a higher risk for dehydration due to physiological changes that come with aging, such as decreased kidney function and physical changes to the body's water balance systems. Additionally, fever increases metabolic rate and fluid loss, and nausea and vomiting prevent adequate fluid intake, further increasing the risk of dehydration.
Choice B: While intentionally limiting fluid intake can lead to dehydration, the body's thirst mechanism in a healthy teenager is typically strong enough to prevent severe dehydration.
Choice C: Diarrhea can certainly lead to dehydration, but a young, otherwise healthy patient typically has a stronger ability to recover from fluid loss than an elderly patient.
Choice D: Infants are at a higher risk for dehydration than older children and adults due to their smaller body weight and higher turnover of water and electrolytes, but in this case, the elderly patient's multiple risk factors put them at a higher risk overall.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: For an average adult, the total intake should be approximately equal to the total output every day¹². Therefore, if the patient's total output is 2200 mL, the total intake should also be around 2200 mL.
Choice B reason: 3000 mL is more than the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult, which is about 2500 mL³. If the patient's intake is higher than their output, they may develop fluid overload or edema.
Choice C reason: 3800 mL is much more than the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult, which is about 2500 mL³. If the patient's intake is higher than their output, they may develop fluid overload or edema.
Choice D reason: 2400 mL is slightly less than the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult, which is about 2500 mL³. However, if the patient's intake is lower than their output, they may develop dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because normal saline is not indicated for this client. Normal saline is a isotonic solution that does not alter the acid-base balance. The client has respiratory alkalosis, which is caused by hyperventilation and results in a high pH and a low PaCO2.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because Allen's test is not relevant for this client. Allen's test is a test to assess the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries before performing an arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling or cannulation. The client already has ABG results, so there is no need to perform Allen's test.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because increasing breathing would worsen the client's condition. Increasing breathing would cause the client to exhale more carbon dioxide, which would lower the PaCO2 and raise the pH even more. This would increase the severity of respiratory alkalosis.
Choice D reason: This is correct because slowing down breathing would help the client to correct the respiratory alkalosis. Slowing down breathing would allow the client to retain more carbon dioxide, which would increase the PaCO2 and lower the pH. This would bring the acid-base balance closer to normal.
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