NSG 120 Fluid & Electrolytes Exam
Questions with Revised Answers
(All Are Correct)
Hypernatremia - Answer-More than 145 - Caused by excessive water loss, excess Na
admin, Diabetics incibitus (peeing too much), Heat, Hypertension, IV admin
S/S of hypernatremia - Answer-thirst, elevated temp, dry/swollen tongue, sticky mucosa,
restless, weakness
Hypokalemia - Answer-Less than 3.5 - Caused by GI losses, meds, acid-base balance
alteration, poor diet intake
S/S of hypokalemia - Answer-caridac changes/dysrithmias, muscle weakness, anxiety
possible airway insufficiency. (Monitor EKG) NEVER PUSH IV
Hyperkalemia - Answer-More than 5 - Caused by tx, impaired renal function, hypo-
aldosteronism production, tissue trauma
S/S of hyperkalemia - Answer-Cardiac changes, muscle weakness, repiratory (Monitor
EKG)
MURDER - Potassium levels Hyperkalemia - Answer-Muscle cramps, Urine
abnormalities, Respiratory distress, Decreased cardiac contraction, Ecg changes,
Reflexes
Acid-Base balance - Answer-Hydrogen ion determines acidity of body fluids - critical to
homeostasis and cell function. Increased H+ - increased acidity ; Decreased H+ - pH
rises, decreased acidity, alkaline
Normal pH levels - Answer-7.35 (acidic) - 7.45 (alkaline)
Regulation of Acid-Base balance - Answer-Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system
(BCAB)
BCAB - Answer-lungs regulate CO2, alters CO2 retention - if pH increase depth of
respirations decrease
, Metabolic Acidosis - Answer-Less than 7.35 - Caused by diabetic keto, severe diarrhea,
dehydration, liver failure (S/S include confusion, drowsiness, increase resp, decrease
BP
Metabolic Alkosis - Answer-Above 7.45 - Causes K+ to be pushed out of the cell,
caused by vomit, GI losses, hypokalemia (S/S include decreased respiratory, increased
BP)
serum levels of 115 sodium or lower - Answer-increasing intracranial pressure;
confusion, muscle twitching
Nursing implementation for hyponatremia - Answer-Restrict fluids; increase salt to
prevent further dilution
PaCO2 levels - Answer-35-45 mmHg
HCO3 levels - Answer-24-36 mEq/l
PaO2 levels - Answer-80-100 mm Hg
if pH increases - Answer-Depth of respirations decrease
If pH decrease - Answer-Depth of respirations increase
ROME - Answer-Respiratory system will go Opposite of ph, Metabolic will be equal
Metabolic acidosis can cause what? - Answer-Cause K+ to shift out of cell - as it
becomes corrected, K+ shifts back into the cell w levels in the blood decreasing
High pH = - Answer-High Bicarbonate
Aldosteron - Answer-steroid hormone that controls the balance of salt and water in the
kidneys - adrenal gland function
Respiratory Acidosis - Answer-Low pH, high PaCO2 - always due to respiratory
problems (Treatment is improve ventilation)
Normal adult water presentation - Answer-60% of body weight
Intracelluler fluid - Answer-2/3 of body fluid; skeletal muscle mass
Extracellular Fluid - Answer-1/3 of intravascular
Third-spacing - Answer-Accumulation of extracellular fluid; unavailable for use (ex.
plural effusion)
