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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: One slice of wheat bread is not the best source of potassium, as it contains only about 70 mg of potassium per serving. The recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is 4,700 mg.
Choice B reason: One wedge of cantaloupe is a good source of potassium, as it contains about 430 mg of potassium per serving. However, it is not the best source of potassium among the choices given.
Choice C reason: One banana is the best source of potassium among the choices given, as it contains about 420 mg of potassium per serving. Bananas are also rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Choice D reason: One slice of cheddar cheese is not the best source of potassium, as it contains only about 28 mg of potassium per serving. Cheese is also high in sodium, fat, and calories, which can have negative effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to hyperventilation, which lowers the carbon dioxide in the blood. Severe diarrhea does not cause hyperventilation, but rather dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to a loss of acids or an excess of bases in the body. Severe diarrhea does not cause a loss of acids or an excess of bases, but rather a loss of fluids and bicarbonate, which is a base that buffers the acids in the blood.
Choice C reason: This is correct because metabolic acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to an excess of acids or a loss of bases in the body. Severe diarrhea causes a loss of fluids and bicarbonate, which is a base that buffers the acids in the blood. This leads to an accumulation of acids and a decrease in pH.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect because respiratory acidosis is a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, due to impaired gas exchange or hypoventilation, which causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood. Severe diarrhea does not affect the respiratory system directly, but rather the metabolic system.
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