A nurse is assessing four clients for fluid balance. The nurse should identify that which of the following manifestations of dehydration?
A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010. (Reference Range 1.005-1.030)
A client who has a hematocrit of 42%. (Reference Range 36-46%)
A client who has a temperature of 39 °C.
A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010 is not dehydrated. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. A normal range is 1.005-1.030, which means that the urine is neither too dilute nor too concentrated. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates dehydration, as the urine becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.005) indicates overhydration, as the urine becomes more dilute due to fluid excess.
Choice B reason: A client who has a hematocrit of 42% is not dehydrated. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A normal range is 36-46% for women and 40-54% for men. A high hematocrit (>54% for men and >46% for women) indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more viscous due to fluid loss. A low hematocrit (<40% for men and <36% for women) indicates overhydration, as the blood becomes more diluted due to fluid excess.
Choice C reason: A client who has a temperature of 39 °C may or may not be dehydrated. Temperature is a measure of the body's heat production and regulation. A normal range is 36.5-37.5 °C. A high temperature (>37.5 °C) indicates fever, which can be caused by various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or medication. Fever can also cause dehydration, as the body loses fluid through sweating and increased respiration. However, fever is not a specific sign of dehydration, as there may be other causes or contributing factors.
Choice D reason: A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr is dehydrated. Weight loss is a measure of the change in the body's mass over time. A normal range is 0.5-1 kg per week. A rapid weight loss (>1 kg per day) indicates dehydration, as the body loses fluid through various routes, such as urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Weight loss is a sensitive and reliable sign of dehydration, as it reflects the amount of fluid loss.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: H2-receptor antagonist and two antibiotics is not the correct combination for the "triple therapy" regimen. H2-receptor antagonists are drugs that block the action of histamine on the stomach cells, reducing the production of acid. They are used to treat peptic ulcers, but they are not effective against H. pylori bacteria. The "triple therapy" regimen requires an antibiotic to kill the bacteria, and a proton-pump inhibitor to reduce the acid secretion and promote healing.
Choice B reason: Two proton-pump inhibitors and an antibiotic is not the correct combination for the "triple therapy" regimen. Proton-pump inhibitors are drugs that block the enzyme that produces acid in the stomach, lowering the acidity and allowing the ulcer to heal. They are used to treat peptic ulcers, but they are not enough to eradicate H. pylori bacteria. The "triple therapy" regimen requires two antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and one proton-pump inhibitor to reduce the acid secretion and promote healing.
Choice C reason: H2-receptor antagonist, proton pump inhibitor, and an antibiotic is not the correct combination for the "triple therapy" regimen. H2-receptor antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors have similar effects on the stomach acid, but they work in different ways. They are both used to treat peptic ulcers, but they are not necessary to use together. The "triple therapy" regimen requires two antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and one proton-pump inhibitor to reduce the acid secretion and promote healing.
Choice D reason: Proton-pump inhibitor and two antibiotics is the correct combination for the "triple therapy" regimen. Proton-pump inhibitors are drugs that block the enzyme that produces acid in the stomach, lowering the acidity and allowing the ulcer to heal. They are used to treat peptic ulcers, and they also enhance the effectiveness of the antibiotics. The "triple therapy" regimen requires two antibiotics to kill the H. pylori bacteria, and one proton-pump inhibitor to reduce the acid secretion and promote healing. The most common antibiotics used are amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Active transport is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Active transport is the process that moves solutes across a membrane against their concentration gradient, using energy from ATP. Active transport can create or maintain a concentration difference between two sides of a membrane.
Choice B reason: Osmosis is the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Osmosis can equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of a membrane.
Choice C reason: Filtration is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Filtration is the movement of fluid and solutes across a membrane due to a pressure difference between two sides of a membrane. Filtration can separate solutes from fluid based on their size and charge.
Choice D reason: Diffusion is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Diffusion is the movement of solutes across a membrane from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration. Diffusion can also equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of a membrane.

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