A nurse is teaching a class about administering IV fluids to treat dehydration. The nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following laboratory values indicates effective treatment of dehydration?

Serum osmolarity 310 mOsm/L

Serum hematocrit 55%

Urine specific gravity 1.020

BUN 28 mg/dL

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason:
Serum osmolarity 310 mOsm/L is incorrect. Serum osmolarity measures the concentration of particles in the blood. While an elevated serum osmolarity might indicate dehydration, it's not a direct indicator of the effectiveness of treatment. It signifies the concentration of solutes in the blood rather than reflecting hydration improvement after treatment.
Choice B Reason:
Serum hematocrit 55%m is incorrect. Elevated hematocrit levels can occur in dehydration because of hemoconcentration (an increase in the concentration of red blood cells due to reduced fluid volume). However, similar to serum osmolarity, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't specifically reflect the effectiveness of treatment.
To determine effective treatment of dehydration, the nurse should consider the laboratory values that reflect hydration status:
Choice C Reason:
Urine specific gravity 1.020 is correct. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating the kidneys' ability to concentrate urine. A higher specific gravity (typically above 1.020) suggests more concentrated urine, which can indicate dehydration. As hydration improves, the urine becomes less concentrated, so a decrease in urine specific gravity toward the normal range (around 1.010-1.020) indicates effective rehydration and improved kidney function in retaining fluids.
Choice D Reason:
BUN 28 mg/dL is incorrect. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can also rise in dehydration due to reduced kidney perfusion. However, like serum osmolarity and hematocrit, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't directly show the effectiveness of treatment or the improvement in hydration status after treatment.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Hypomagnesemia is incorrect. Lithium therapy itself is not a direct cause of hypomagnesemia. While exercise can affect magnesium levels to some extent, it's not a primary electrolyte imbalance that is typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.
Choice B Reason:
Hypocalcemia is incorrect. Similarly, lithium therapy is not a direct cause of hypocalcemia. Exercise can affect calcium metabolism, but it's not a primary electrolyte imbalance typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.
When a client taking lithium begins a new exercise program, the nurse should primarily assess for the risk of:
Choice C Reason:
Hyponatremia is correct. Lithium can affect the body's regulation of sodium, and excessive sweating due to increased exercise can lead to sodium loss. This combination can potentially contribute to the development of hyponatremia (low sodium levels). Therefore, when a client on lithium starts a new exercise regimen that may induce sweating, monitoring for signs of hyponatremia becomes crucial. Symptoms of hyponatremia can include confusion, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.
Choice D Reason:
Hypokalemia is incorrect. Lithium itself does not commonly cause hypokalemia. Exercise can lead to potassium loss through sweating, but hypokalemia is not the primary electrolyte imbalance typically associated with lithium use or considered a significant concern specifically due to lithium.

A. Dark amber urine B. Decreased skin turgor C. Pink, frothy sputum D. Increased bowel sounds

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Dark amber urine is incorrect. Dark urine can indicate concentrated urine, often seen in dehydration when the body is trying to conserve water.
Choice B Reason:
Decreased skin turgor is incorrect. Decreased skin turgor is a classic sign of dehydration, indicating that the skin lacks elasticity due to insufficient fluid intake or loss.
Choice C Reason:
Pink, frothy sputum is correct. Normal saline is a common intravenous solution used to treat dehydration. However, in some cases, especially when administered in excessive amounts, it can lead to fluid overload or pulmonary edema. This can manifest as pink, frothy sputum, indicating potential pulmonary congestion or edema, which is a serious adverse effect of fluid overload.
Choice D Reason:
Increased bowel sounds is incorrect. Increased bowel sounds can be seen in various conditions, including gastrointestinal disturbances or hyperactive bowel motility, but it's not typically associated with the adverse effects of normal saline administration.

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A nurse is teaching a class about administering IV fluids to treat dehydration. The nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following laboratory values indicates effective treatment of dehydration?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lithium and reports starting a new exercise program. The nurse should assess the client for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving 0.9% sodium chloride solution to treat dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the solution?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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