Practice Question
The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is receiving intravenous fluids at 150 mL/hr. Upon assessment, the nurse notes crackles, shortness of breath, and jugular vein distention. Based on this data, which complication of IV fluid therapy does the nurse anticipate?
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Correct Answer:
Fluid volume excess
Rationale:
🟢 In older adults, receiving IV fluids at a rapid rate (150 mL/hr) can easily lead to fluid overload due to decreased cardiac and renal reserve.
🟢 Signs of fluid volume excess include crackles in the lungs (pulmonary congestion), shortness of breath (dyspnea), jugular vein distention (JVD), and peripheral edema.
🟢 This condition can progress to pulmonary edema and heart failure if not promptly managed by slowing or stopping fluids and notifying the healthcare provider.
🟢 Allergic reaction presents with rash, itching, or anaphylaxis; septic shock is linked to infection; pulmonary embolism presents with sudden chest pain and hypoxemia—none fit the findings here.
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This question is from NUR 151 which contains 30 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4