Electrolyte Imbalance: Sherpath: Chapter 42, Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance

Question 1 of 15

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Which serum sodium concentration would the nurse identify as hyponatremia?

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  • 130 mEq/LHyponatremia is a serum sodium concentration that is less than 135 mEq/L.
• • 135 mEq/LA serum sodium concentration of 135 mEq/L does not indicate hyponatremia.
• • 140 mEq/LA serum sodium concentration of 140 mEq/L does not indicate hyponatremia.
• • 145 mEq/LA serum sodium concentration of 145 mEq/L does not indicate hyponatremia.

Question 2 of 15

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Which condition would a nurse suspect when caring for a patient with a serum potassium concentration of 4 mEq/L and a serum sodium concentration of 150 mEq/L?

• • HypokalemiaA normal serum potassium concentration is between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L. This patient’s potassium is normal.
• • HyperkalemiaA normal serum potassium concentration is between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L. This patient’s potassium is normal.
• • HyponatremiaA normal serum sodium concentration is between 135 and 145 mEq/L.
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  • HypernatremiaHypernatremia is a serum sodium concentration that is greater than 145 mEq/L.

Question 3 of 15

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Which factors would the nurse identify as increasing a patient’s risk for hypovolemic hyponatremia?

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  • DiureticsDiuretic administration is one factor that increases a patient’s risk for hypovolemic hyponatremia.
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  • EmesisEmesis is one factor that increases a patient’s risk for hypovolemic hyponatremia.
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  • DiarrheaDiarrhea is one factor that increases a patient’s risk for hypovolemic hyponatremia.
• • DehydrationDehydration increases a patient’s risk for water depletion hypernatremia, not hypovolemic hyponatremia.
• • FeverInsensible loss of water because of fever increases a patient’s risk for water depletion, not hypovolemic hyponatremia.

Question 4 of 15

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Which disease process would the nurse identify as the cause of a patient’s serum potassium concentration of 5.3 mEq/L?

• • OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease associated with hypocalcemia, not hyperkalemia.
• • AlcoholismAlcoholism can cause hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
• • HyperaldosteronismHyperaldosteronism can cause hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
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  • Severe infectionThis patient has a serum potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L, which is considered hyperkalemia. Severe infections, causing the release of intracellular potassium, are a cause of hyperkalemia.

Question 5 of 15

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Which prescription would the nurse question for a patient experiencing hypokalemia?

• • Aldosterone prescriptionAldosterone is a medication that causes hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
• • Calcium supplementsCalcium supplements are not a known cause of hypokalemia.
• • Potassium supplementsPotassium supplements are often prescribed to treat hypokalemia.
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  • Loop diuretic prescriptionThe use of loop diuretics is known to cause hypokalemia.

Question 6 of 15

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Which serum potassium concentrations would the nurse identify as hyperkalemia in the patient’s medical record?

• • 2.5 mEq/LA serum potassium concentration of 2.5 mEq/L would cause the nurse to identify hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
• • 3.0 mEq/LA serum potassium concentration of 3.0 mEq/L would cause the nurse to identify hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
• • 4.6 mEq/LA serum potassium concentration of 4.6 mEq/L is considered normal.
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  • 5.4 mEq/LA serum potassium concentration of 5.4 mEq/L is hyperkalemia. Therefore, the nurse would identify this as hyperkalemia.
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  • 5.8 mEq/LA serum potassium concentration of 5.8 mEq/L is hyperkalemia. Therefore, the nurse would identify this as hyperkalemia.

Question 7 of 15

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Which nursing statement is accurate when providing education to a postmenopausal patient who is at risk for hypercalcemia?

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  • “It is important for us to monitor your serum parathyroid levels.”A postmenopausal patient has an increased risk for hyperparathyroidism, which is the primary cause of hypercalcemia for this population.
• • “It is important for you to increase your dietary intake of calcium.”A patient who is at risk for hypercalcemia should not be advised to increase dietary calcium.
• • “It is important for us to monitor your serum magnesium levels.”Hypomagnesemia is associated with hypocalcemia, not hypercalcemia.
• • “It is important for you to increase your dietary intake of vitamin D.”A patient who is at risk for hypercalcemia should not be advised to increase dietary vitamin D.

Question 8 of 15

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Which serum calcium concentrations would the nurse identify as abnormal?

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  • 7.9 mg/dLA serum calcium concentration of 7.9 mg/dL indicates hypocalcemia.
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  • 8.4 mg/dLA serum calcium concentration of 8.4 mg/dL indicates hypocalcemia.
• • 9.0 mg/dLA serum calcium concentration of 9.0 mg/dL is within normal limits.
• • 10.0 mg/dLA serum calcium concentration of 10.0 mg/dL is within normal limits.
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  • 10.6 mg/dLA serum calcium concentration of 10.6 mg/dL indicates hypercalcemia.

Question 9 of 15

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Which factor would the nurse identify as a primary cause of hypocalcemia?

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  • Protein depletionProtein depletion is a primary cause of hypocalcemia.
• • Breast cancerBreast cancer is a primary cause of hypercalcemia, not hypocalcemia.
• • ImmobilizationImmobilization is a primary cause of hypercalcemia, not hypocalcemia.
• • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor useACE inhibitor use can cause hyperkalemia, not hypocalcemia.

Question 10 of 15

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Which factors are potential causes of hypomagnesemia?

• • Excessive intake of antacids containing magnesiumIntake of magnesium-based antacids does not result in hypomagnesemia.
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  • Loop and thiazide diuretics usageLoop and thiazide diuretics lead to excess excretion of magnesium and, consequently, hypomagnesemia.
• • Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with added electrolytesTPN with added electrolytes does not contribute to hypomagnesemia.
• Correct
  • Crohn diseaseCrohn disease interferes with the absorption of electrolytes and can lead to hypomagnesemia.
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  • Gastrointestinal (GI) suctioningProlonged GI suctioning can lead to hypomagnesemia.

Question 11 of 15

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Which finding in the patient’s medical history requires the nurse to provide education about hypermagnesemia?

• • Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a cause of hypomagnesemia, not hypermagnesemia.
• • Excessive salt intakeExcessive salt intake causes hypernatremia, not hypermagnesemia.
• Correct
  • LeukemiaLeukemia is one cause associated with the development of hypermagnesemia.
• • Diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis is a cause of hypomagnesemia, not hypermagnesemia.

Question 12 of 15

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Which causes would the nurse include when providing patient education to a patient diagnosed with hypermagnesemia associated with an increased intake of magnesium?

• • Adrenal insufficiencyAlthough adrenal insufficiency is a cause of hypermagnesemia, this is not a cause associated with increased intake of magnesium.
• • LeukemiaAlthough leukemia is a cause of hypermagnesemia, this is not a cause associated with increased intake of magnesium.
• • Poor renal functionAlthough poor renal function is a cause of hypermagnesemia, this is not a cause associated with increased intake of magnesium.
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  • Antacid useAntacid use is a cause of hypermagnesemia associated with increased intake of magnesium.
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  • Magnesium-containing laxativesExcessive intake of magnesium-containing laxatives is a cause of hypermagnesemia associated with increased intake of magnesium.

Question 13 of 15

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Which cause related to an increased excretion of phosphate would a nurse include in a teaching session of a patient with hypophosphatemia?

• • Phosphate-binding antacidsPhosphate-binding antacids are a cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate, not increased excretion.
• Correct
  • Diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis is a cause of hypophosphatemia that is associated with increased excretion of phosphate.
• • AlcoholismAlcoholism is one cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate, not increased excretion.
• • Malabsorption syndromeMalabsorption is one cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate, not increased excretion.

Question 14 of 15

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Which type of drug would a nurse include in the teaching session about drug-related hyperphosphatemia?

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  • CatharticsCathartics, a classification of laxatives, are a cause of hyperphosphatemia.
• • Phosphate-binding antacidsPhosphate-binding antacids are a cause of hypophosphatemia, not hyperphosphatemia.
• • Loop diureticsLoop diuretics are a cause of hypophosphatemia, not hyperphosphatemia.
• • Thiazide diureticsThiazide diuretics are a cause of hypophosphatemia, not hyperphosphatemia.

Question 15 of 15

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Which causes associated with poor intake of phosphate would a nurse include in a teaching session of a patient with hypophosphatemia?

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  • Phosphate-binding antacidsPhosphate-binding antacids are one cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate.
• • Loop diureticsLoop diuretics are a cause of hypophosphatemia associated with increased excretion, not poor intake of phosphate.
• • Diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis is a cause of hypophosphatemia associated with increased excretion, not poor intake of phosphate.
• Correct
  • AlcoholismAlcoholism is one cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate.
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  • Malabsorption syndromeMalabsorption is one cause of hypophosphatemia associated with poor intake of phosphate.