Fluid Balance

1. Plasma, the liquid constituent of blood, is correctly identified as: a. interstitial fluid b. intravascular fluid c. intracellular fluid d. 40% of total body fluid Answer: the correct answer is B. Intravascular fluid or plasma is extracellular fluid and composes of 5% of total body fluid. 2. Potassium functions as the a. chief electrolyte of extracellular fluid b. most abundant electrolyte in the body c. major caution of intacellular fluid d. chief extracellular anion Answer: the correct answer is C. Potassium is the major cation of the intacellular fluid. 3. The movement of solvent water from an area of lesser solute concentration to an area of greater solute concentration until equilibrium is established is known as a. osmosis b. diffusion c. active transport d. filtration Answer: the correct answer is A. water moves by osmosis. 4. Which of the following would the nurse use as the most reliable indicator of a patients fluid balance status? a. intake and output b. skin turgor c. complete blood count d. daily weight Answer: the correct answer is D. Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of a persons fluid balance status 5. Which acid-base imbalance would the nurse suspect after assessing the following arterial blood gas values (pH 7.30; PaCO2, 36 mmHg; HCO3-14 mEq/L)? a. respiratory acidosis b. respiratory alkalosis c. metabolic acidosis d. metabolic alkalosis e. Answer: the correct answer is C. A low pH indicates acidosis. 6. Mrs. Eng-Salvador, a patient in the hospital, has been encouraged to increase her fluid intake. Which measure would be most effective for the nurse to implement?

a. explaining the mechanisms involved in transporting fluids to and from intracellular compartments b. keeping fluids readily available for the patient c. emphasizing the long term outcome of increasing fluids when she returns home d. planning to offer most daily fluids in the evening Answer: the correct answer is B. Having fluids readily available for patient helps promote intake. 7. Which of the following would the nurse need to keep in mind in preparing to assist the physician with insertion of nontunneled percutaneous cebtral venous catheter? a. this catheter usually remains in place for 2-3 months b. the catheter is introduced via basilica or cephalic veins in the antecubital space c. Nursing responsibility includes assessing the catheter with an angled needle d. A chest radiograph is required to confirm placement Answer: the correct answer is D. A chest radiograph is needed to ensure proper placement for any central venous access device. 8. The nurse alertly assesses the acid-base balance of a patient because she is aware that the patient will be unable to effectively control his carbonic acid supply, this is most likely a patient with badly damaged a. kidneys b. lungs c. adrenal glands d. blood vessels Answer: the correct answer is B. the lungs are the primary controller of the bodys carbonic acid supply and thus, if damaged, can affect acid-base balance 9. The nurse instructs a patient to focus on breathing more slowly as the most effective intervention for which acid-base imbalance? a. respiratory acidosis (carbonic acid excess) b. respiratory alkalosis (carbonic acid deficit) c. metabolic acidosis (base bicarbonate deficit) d. metabolic alkalosis 9base bicarbonate excess) Answer: the correct answer is B. Breathing more slowly causes accumulation of carbon dioxide to reverse carbonic acid deficit or respiratory alkalosis. 10. Which of the following is most etiologic factor related to nursing diagnosis of Excess Fluid Volume? a. increase need for fluid secondary to fever b. abnormal fluid loss from vomiting c. excessive IV infusion d. decreased fluid intake secondary to depression Answer: the correct answer is C. Excessive IV infusion is the most common factor associated with excess fluid volume