A child has a 2-day history of vomiting, hypoactive bowel sounds, and an irregular pulse. Electrolyte values are sodium, 130 mEq/L; potassium, 3.3 mEq/L; calcium, 9.5 mg/dL; and HCO3, 30 mEq/L. Which of the following imbalances is the child most likely to have? (Select all that apply)

Hyponatremia.

Hypocalcemia.

Hyperkalemia.

Hypokalemia.

Metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic alkalosis.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,F

Choice A reason: Sodium of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, likely from vomiting-induced sodium loss. This aligns with the child’s electrolyte profile and symptoms, making it a correct imbalance the nurse would identify as most likely based on the lab values and clinical presentation.

Choice B reason: Calcium of 9.5 mg/dL is normal, not indicating hypocalcemia. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis match the labs (sodium 130, HCO3 30), making this incorrect, as it does not reflect the child’s electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and irregular pulse.

Choice C reason: Potassium of 3.3 mEq/L is low, not high, ruling out hyperkalemia. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis fit the labs and vomiting history, making this incorrect, as it contradicts the child’s potassium level in the nurse’s assessment of imbalances.

Choice D reason: Potassium of 3.3 mEq/L suggests mild hypokalemia, but hyponatremia (sodium 130) is more prominent with vomiting. Metabolic alkalosis is also evident, making this partially correct but incorrect as the primary imbalance compared to hyponatremia in the child’s profile.

Choice E reason: HCO3 of 30 mEq/L indicates alkalosis, not acidosis, due to vomiting-induced hydrogen ion loss. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis are correct, making this incorrect, as it contradicts the child’s alkalotic state in the nurse’s evaluation of lab values.

Choice F reason: HCO3 of 30 mEq/L indicates metabolic alkalosis, common with vomiting due to loss of acidic gastric contents. This, with hyponatremia, aligns with the child’s labs and symptoms, making it a correct imbalance the nurse would identify in the assessment.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Hypertension and tachycardia may occur in dialysis but aren’t specific to disequilibrium syndrome, which causes neurological symptoms. Headache and twitching are key, making this incorrect, as it’s less precise than the nurse’s expected manifestations of disequilibrium syndrome.

Choice B reason: Hypotension may occur in dialysis, but bradycardia and hypothermia aren’t typical of disequilibrium syndrome, which affects the brain. Deteriorating consciousness is correct, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t align with the nurse’s assessment for this complication.

Choice C reason: Restlessness and weakness are vague and less specific than headache and twitching, which indicate cerebral edema in disequilibrium syndrome. This is incorrect, as it’s not the primary manifestation the nurse would assess in the dialysis client.

Choice D reason: Headache, deteriorating consciousness, and twitching indicate disequilibrium syndrome due to rapid osmotic shifts during hemodialysis. This aligns with neurological assessment, making it the correct set of manifestations the nurse would monitor in the client at risk.

A. Troubleshoot the ventilator until the problem is found. B. Take the patient off the ventilator and manually ventilate. C. Call the respiratory therapist for help. D. Silence the ventilator alarms until the problem is resolved.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Troubleshooting the ventilator delays oxygenation in a patient with acute lung failure. Manual ventilation ensures immediate breathing, making this incorrect, as it’s less urgent than the nurse’s priority to maintain the patient’s airway and oxygenation during an alarm.

Choice B reason: Manually ventilating the patient after disconnecting from the inoperative ventilator ensures oxygenation in acute lung failure. This aligns with emergency respiratory protocols, making it the correct first action the nurse should take to address the ventilator alarm.

Choice C reason: Calling the respiratory therapist is important but delays immediate oxygenation needed during a ventilator failure. Manual ventilation is the priority, making this incorrect, as it postpones the nurse’s critical action to ensure the patient’s breathing is supported.

Choice D reason: Silencing alarms without addressing the ventilator failure risks hypoxia in a lung failure patient. Manual ventilation is urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s unsafe compared to the nurse’s priority of ensuring oxygenation during the inoperative alarm.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A child has a 2-day history of vomiting, hypoactive bowel sounds, and an irregular pulse. Electrolyte values are sodium, 130 mEq/L; potassium, 3.3 mEq/L; calcium, 9.5 mg/dL; and HCO3, 30 mEq/L. Which of the following imbalances is the child most likely to have? (Select all that apply)

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The client newly diagnosed with chronic kidney disease recently has begun hemodialysis. Knowing that the client is at risk for disequilibrium syndrome, the nurse would assess the client during dialysis for which associated manifestations?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient with acute lung failure has been on a ventilator for 3 days and is being considered for weaning. When entering the room, the ventilator inoperative alarm sounds. What action should the nurse take FIRST?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client with chronic kidney disease being hemodialyzed suddenly becomes short of breath and complains of chest pain. The client is tachycardic, pale, and anxious, and the nurse suspects air embolism. What are the priority nursing actions? (Select all that apply)

The nurse is educating a patient with iron deficiency anemia about food sources high in iron and how to enhance the absorption of iron when eating these foods. What can the nurse inform the client would enhance the absorption?

A client is being treated for diabetes insipidus (DI) with synthetic vasopressin (desmopressin). What is the priority health teaching that the nurse provides regarding drug therapy?

The nurse is reviewing the prescription for a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which interventions would the nurse expect to be prescribed for the client? (Select all that apply)

In collaboration with the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), which foods will the nurse teach a client who is taking a potassium-sparing diuretic to avoid or use cautiously? (Select all that apply)

A client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is being assessed by the nurse. Which assessment findings would be consistent with acute pancreatitis? (Select all that apply)

A client with peripheral artery disease is suffering from ineffective tissue perfusion. Which of the following would be appropriate outcomes for this nursing diagnosis? (Select all that apply)

A nurse has just received report on 4 clients who all have chest tubes in place. Which client is the priority to see first?