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: 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.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is correct because acidosis is a condition where the serum pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Acidosis can be caused by an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because equal bicarbonate is not a condition, but a term that describes the balance between bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Bicarbonate is a base that buffers the acids in the blood and maintains the pH. Equal bicarbonate means that the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is 20:1, which is the normal value.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect because neutral carbonic acid is not a condition, but a term that describes the pH of carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the blood. Carbonic acid is an acid that forms when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. Neutral carbonic acid means that the pH of carbonic acid is 7.0, which is neither acidic nor basic.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because alkalosis is a condition where the serum pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Alkalosis can be caused by a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body, which can affect the function of various organs and systems.
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