Electrolytes – Nursing Questions and
Answers Already Passed
What intervention would be appropriate for a patient with metabolic alkalosis and low
potassium?
✔✔ Administer potassium chloride and monitor fluid balance
In a patient with acute kidney injury, why would the nurse monitor magnesium levels closely?
✔✔ Because kidneys are responsible for magnesium excretion, and failure can lead to toxicity
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia. What intervention should be prioritized?
✔✔ Slowly rehydrating the patient with intravenous fluids
In patients with chronic respiratory acidosis, what compensatory mechanism occurs?
✔✔ The kidneys retain bicarbonate to balance pH levels
What symptom would the nurse expect in a patient with hypermagnesemia?
✔✔ Decreased deep tendon reflexes
1
,What should the nurse expect to find in a patient with fluid volume deficit?
✔✔ Elevated heart rate and low blood pressure
What condition is most commonly associated with hypophosphatemia?
✔✔ Weakness and respiratory depression
A patient who is on a loop diuretic is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypokalemia
In a patient with hyperkalemia, which dietary change should the nurse recommend?
✔✔ Limiting potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and tomatoes
What electrolyte imbalance could lead to the development of tetany?
✔✔ Hypocalcemia
What clinical signs would suggest that a patient is developing metabolic acidosis?
✔✔ Rapid, deep breathing (Kussmaul respirations)
2
, When assessing a patient with hyperkalemia, what clinical sign is the nurse most likely to find?
✔✔ Peaked T waves on the ECG
A patient with low serum sodium levels is at risk for which neurological symptom?
✔✔ Seizures
Which intervention is most important for a patient with severe dehydration?
✔✔ Administering IV fluids slowly to restore balance
In a patient with respiratory alkalosis, what would the nurse expect to observe in the laboratory
results?
✔✔ Decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypercalcemia. What is the priority action?
✔✔ Administer intravenous fluids to promote calcium excretion
What is a common cause of hypomagnesemia in patients with alcohol use disorder?
✔✔ Malabsorption and poor nutritional intake
3
Answers Already Passed
What intervention would be appropriate for a patient with metabolic alkalosis and low
potassium?
✔✔ Administer potassium chloride and monitor fluid balance
In a patient with acute kidney injury, why would the nurse monitor magnesium levels closely?
✔✔ Because kidneys are responsible for magnesium excretion, and failure can lead to toxicity
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia. What intervention should be prioritized?
✔✔ Slowly rehydrating the patient with intravenous fluids
In patients with chronic respiratory acidosis, what compensatory mechanism occurs?
✔✔ The kidneys retain bicarbonate to balance pH levels
What symptom would the nurse expect in a patient with hypermagnesemia?
✔✔ Decreased deep tendon reflexes
1
,What should the nurse expect to find in a patient with fluid volume deficit?
✔✔ Elevated heart rate and low blood pressure
What condition is most commonly associated with hypophosphatemia?
✔✔ Weakness and respiratory depression
A patient who is on a loop diuretic is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypokalemia
In a patient with hyperkalemia, which dietary change should the nurse recommend?
✔✔ Limiting potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and tomatoes
What electrolyte imbalance could lead to the development of tetany?
✔✔ Hypocalcemia
What clinical signs would suggest that a patient is developing metabolic acidosis?
✔✔ Rapid, deep breathing (Kussmaul respirations)
2
, When assessing a patient with hyperkalemia, what clinical sign is the nurse most likely to find?
✔✔ Peaked T waves on the ECG
A patient with low serum sodium levels is at risk for which neurological symptom?
✔✔ Seizures
Which intervention is most important for a patient with severe dehydration?
✔✔ Administering IV fluids slowly to restore balance
In a patient with respiratory alkalosis, what would the nurse expect to observe in the laboratory
results?
✔✔ Decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypercalcemia. What is the priority action?
✔✔ Administer intravenous fluids to promote calcium excretion
What is a common cause of hypomagnesemia in patients with alcohol use disorder?
✔✔ Malabsorption and poor nutritional intake
3
