A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV fluids to correct dehydration. Which of the following laboratory values should indicate to the nurse that the client is effectively responding to treatment?
Sodium 165 mEq/L
Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
Urine specific gravity 1.020
Hct 62%
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Sodium 165 mEq/L is incorrect. This value indicates hypernatremia, which is a high level of sodium in the blood. Hypernatremia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal sodium level is between 135 and 145 mEq/L.
Choice B: Potassium 5.2 mEq/L is incorrect. This value indicates hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood. Hyperkalemia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal potassium level is between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L.
Choice C: Urine specific gravity 1.020 is correct. This value indicates that the urine is concentrated, but within the normal range. Urine specific gravity measures the amount of solutes in the urine compared to water. A high urine specific gravity indicates dehydration, while a low urine specific gravity indicates overhydration. A normal urine specific gravity is between 1.005 and 1.030.
Choice D: Hct 62% is incorrect. This value indicates polycythemia, which is a high level of red blood cells in the blood. Polycythemia can be caused by dehydration, but it does not indicate that the client is responding to treatment. A normal hematocrit (Hct) level is between 37% and 52% for men and between 32% and 47% for women.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Anticipating the administration of intravenous sodium bicarbonate is incorrect because this would increase the pH and worsen the alkalosis. Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B: Preparing to start an intravenous fluid bolus using isotonic fluids is incorrect because this would not affect the pH or the PaCO2. Isotonic fluids are used to treat fluid volume deficit, not respiratory alkalosis.
Choice C: Immediately administering oxygen via a mask and monitoring oxygen saturation is incorrect because this would decrease the respiratory drive and increase the PaCO2. Oxygen therapy is used to treat hypoxemia, not respiratory alkalosis.
Choice D: Encouraging the patient to breathe in and out slowly into a paper bag is correct because this would increase the PaCO2 and lower the pH. Rebreathing carbon dioxide is a common treatment for respiratory alkalosis caused by hyperventilation.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A: Contraction of the facial muscle is correct. This is a sign of **Chvostek's sign**, which is a positive indicator of hypocalcemia. Chvostek's sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear and observing for twitching of the facial muscles.
Choice B: Asked when the foot numbness would go away is correct. This is a sign of **paresthesia**, which is a sensation of numbness, tingling, or prickling in the extremities. Paresthesia is caused by decreased nerve function due to low calcium levels.
Choice C: Carpal spasm with blood pressure measurement is correct. This is a sign of **Trousseau's sign**, which is another positive indicator of hypocalcemia. Trousseau's sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff above the systolic pressure for 3 minutes and observing for carpal spasm.
Choice D: Complaints of fingers tingling is correct. This is another sign of paresthesia, as explained in choice B.
Choice E: Heart rate 88 and regular is incorrect. This is not a sign of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as prolonged QT interval, ventricular tachycardia, or cardiac arrest. A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
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