Question

A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

BUN 25 mg/dL (10-20 mg/dL)

Rationale :

🔹 BUN is elevated in dehydration due to hemoconcentration, which causes urea nitrogen to rise.

🔹 Although the value is only slightly above normal, it indicates impaired renal perfusion or fluid deficit.

🔹 BUN is often used along with creatinine and urine specific gravity to evaluate fluid status.

🔹 This finding should be reported because it can signal pre-renal azotemia if untreated.

🔹 Prompt intervention may prevent acute kidney injury in a dehydrated client.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Urine output 20 mL/hr

Rationale :

🔸 Urine output less than 30 mL/hr is a critical indicator of inadequate renal perfusion.

🔸 Dehydration leads to reduced intravascular volume, which decreases renal blood flow.

🔸 This oliguria may progress to renal failure if not promptly addressed.

🔸 Cool skin can occur with hypovolemia but is not a consistent early sign.

🔸 Monitoring urine output is essential in evaluating fluid balance.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Sodium polystyrene (Kayexalate)

Rationale :

🟠 Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat hyperkalemia by promoting potassium excretion via the gastrointestinal tract.

🟠 A potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L is dangerously high and can result in cardiac dysrhythmias.

🟠 Immediate intervention is necessary to lower serum potassium and prevent life-threatening outcomes.

🟠 The nurse must monitor the client closely for EKG changes and bowel function due to this drug's action.

🟠 Treatment should be initiated without delay in symptomatic or critically high values.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Sodium polystyrene

Rationale :

🟡 A potassium level of 5.3 mEq/L is slightly above the normal range and requires intervention to prevent worsening hyperkalemia.

🟡 Sodium polystyrene works by exchanging sodium for potassium in the intestines, promoting excretion.

🟡 This medication is commonly prescribed for non-emergent hyperkalemia and is effective when there's no immediate cardiac risk.

🟡 The nurse should educate the client about bowel movement frequency and monitor electrolytes.

🟡 Avoid potassium-rich foods while receiving this therapy.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Tetany

Rationale :

🔷 A calcium level of 8 mg/dL is below the normal range, indicating hypocalcemia.

🔷 Tetany, or involuntary muscle contractions, is a classic manifestation due to increased neuromuscular excitability.

🔷 Other signs may include positive Chvostek's or Trousseau's signs, paresthesias, and muscle spasms.

🔷 The nurse should closely monitor for airway involvement or seizures in severe cases.

🔷 Hypocalcemia can result from parathyroid removal or vitamin D deficiency.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Magnesium level 1.0 mEq/L (1.3-2.1 mEq/L)

Rationale :

♦️ A magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L is critically low and may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.

♦️ Magnesium plays a vital role in cardiac stability, neuromuscular function, and potassium retention.

♦️ Low magnesium often coexists with hypokalemia and requires prompt replacement.

♦️ Symptoms may include tremors, muscle cramps, seizures, or cardiac dysrhythmias.

♦️ Always monitor deep tendon reflexes and cardiac rhythm during correction.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 7

Correct Answers:

120

Rationale :

📚To calculate the IV flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min),

Flow Rate (gtt/min)=Total Volume (mL)×Drop Factor (gtt/mL) Time (min)

Given:

✍️Infusion rate: 120 mL/hr

✍️Drop factor: 60 gtt/mL

✍️Time conversion: 1 hour = 60 minutes

Step-by-Step Calculation:

Calculate mL/min:

🖋️120 mL / 60 min=2 mL/min

Multiply by drop factor:

🖋️60min × 2mL/min

= 120 gtt/min

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Skin tenting

Rationale :

🔶 Skin tenting is a hallmark physical sign of dehydration, indicating reduced skin elasticity.

🔶 This occurs due to decreased interstitial fluid, a key consequence of volume loss.

🔶 It is commonly assessed over the sternum, clavicle, or abdomen in older adults.

🔶 Tenting must be evaluated in conjunction with other symptoms like low urine output or dry mucosa.

🔶 Document and report findings that suggest hypovolemia to prevent complications.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 9

Correct Answers:

100

Rationale :

✍️To determine the IV flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min) for the dextrose 5% in water (D5W) infusion,

Formula:

🖍️Flow Rate (gtt/min)=Volume (mL)×Drop Factor (gtt/mL) / Time (min)

Given:

🖋️Infusion volume: 100 mL

🖋️Infusion time: 60 minutes

🖋️Drop factor: 60 gtt/mL

🖍️ (100 mL/hr×60 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr

👉=100 gtt/min

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Check for kinking of the tubing or a closed clamp.

Rationale :

🟥 When an occlusion alarm sounds, the first step is to inspect for mechanical obstruction.

🟥 Kinks, closed clamps, or a positional issue are the most common causes.

🟥 Do not flush or push fluid before verifying that the tubing is patent.

🟥 Alarms indicate an interruption in flow, which can affect medication delivery and pressure.

🟥 After correcting the issue, observe for line patency and any backflow.

Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

ATI LPN Medsurg Exam~Electrolytes

No.

1 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

2 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

3 :
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client and identifies a serum potassium 6.8 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client whose serum potassium level is 5.3 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following medications?

5 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a calcium level of 8 mg/dL (9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

6 :
The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a group of patients. Which value should be of most concern to the nurse?

7 :
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's solution IV to infuse at 120 mL/hr for a client who has a respiratory disorder. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

8 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the charge nurse as an indicator of dehydration?

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer dextrose 5% in water IV to infuse at 100 mL/60 min. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

10 :
The IV infusion pump for a patient receiving an IV therapy begins to alarm and displays occlusion. When the silence button is pushed, the alarm quickly resumes. Which action should the nurse take first?

Connect With Us

ATI LPN Medsurg Exam~Electrolytes

No.

1 : A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

2 : A nurse is collecting data from a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

3 : A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client and identifies a serum potassium 6.8 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?

4 : A nurse is caring for a client whose serum potassium level is 5.3 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following medications?

5 : A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a calcium level of 8 mg/dL (9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

6 : The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a group of patients. Which value should be of most concern to the nurse?

7 : A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's solution IV to infuse at 120 mL/hr for a client who has a respiratory disorder. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

8 : A nurse is collecting data from a client. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the charge nurse as an indicator of dehydration?

9 : A nurse is preparing to administer dextrose 5% in water IV to infuse at 100 mL/60 min. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

10 : The IV infusion pump for a patient receiving an IV therapy begins to alarm and displays occlusion. When the silence button is pushed, the alarm quickly resumes. Which action should the nurse take first?

1 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who is dehydrated. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

2 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

3 :
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client and identifies a serum potassium 6.8 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client whose serum potassium level is 5.3 mEq/L (3.5-5 mEq/L). The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following medications?

5 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a calcium level of 8 mg/dL (9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

6 :
The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a group of patients. Which value should be of most concern to the nurse?

7 :
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's solution IV to infuse at 120 mL/hr for a client who has a respiratory disorder. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

8 :
A nurse is collecting data from a client. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the charge nurse as an indicator of dehydration?

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer dextrose 5% in water IV to infuse at 100 mL/60 min. The drop factor on the manual IV tubing is 60 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the IV flow rate to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

10 :
The IV infusion pump for a patient receiving an IV therapy begins to alarm and displays occlusion. When the silence button is pushed, the alarm quickly resumes. Which action should the nurse take first?