| Question | Answer |
| The nurse is caring for a patient with known hyponatremia. Which are appropriate nursing interventions for the nurse to implement for this patient? | Assist the patient to adhere to fluid restriction requirements.
Monitor intake and output. |
| What nursing action is appropriate for a patient experiencing continued hypokalemia despite a week of treatment? | Report laboratory values to the primary healthcare provider (PCP). |
| Match the administration of potassium supplement with the appropriate nursing action.
Administer with juice
Teach the use of salt-substitutes
Never administer by push or bolus. | Oral
Dietary
Intravenous |
| Which patients would benefit from treatment involving the administration of calcium supplement? | A 55-year-old woman who has been through menopause
A 79-year-old male patient who resides in a nursing home
A 72-year-old female patient who does not take any supplements |
| Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who is experiencing hypercalcemia? | Calcium restriction |
| Match the electrolyte imbalance with the appropriate nursing intervention:
Monitor intake and output and restrict
Monitor ECG and restrict intake of bananas and potatoes.
Encourage oral fluid intake and physical activity.
Assess deep tendon reflexes. | Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypercalcemia
Hypermagnesemia |
| Which interventions should the nurse plan to implement for all patients diagnosed with electrolyte excesses? | Monitor ECG
Monitor vital signs.
Monitor lab data. |
| Which foods should the nurse teach patients to avoid when diagnosed with hyperkalemia? | Broccoli
Cabbage
Bananas |
| Which electrolytes are critical to proper cardiac functioning? | Sodium
Potassium |
| What purpose of cardiac monitoring should the nurse include in a teaching session for patients diagnosed with electrolyte imbalances? | To monitor for cardiac dysrhythmias |
| Cardiac telemetry monitoring is performed by which method? | The nurse attaches to the patient’s chest electrodes connected to a portable monitor which allows patient movement. |
| Which level of potassium, considered a medical emergency, requires immediate monitoring with cardiac telemetry? | 2.1 mEq/L |
| What is the purpose of dialysis? | Provide fluid and electrolyte balance |
| Which concept should the nurse include in a teaching session for a patient requiring dialysis for the treatment of an electrolyte imbalance? | Dialysis may be needed as a result of decreased renal function.
Blood is drawn from the body and processed through a series of filters to remove wastes.
Dialysis helps maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance. |
| Why are patients who are diagnosed with impaired renal function prescribed dialysis for the treatment of electrolyte imbalances? | The kidneys are unable to excrete increased electrolytes. |
| The nurse is providing care for a patient with a blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg who is scheduled for dialysis later in the day. What should the nurse anticipate that the patient will need? | Patient needs IV fluid administration. |
| Which patient would benefit from ECG monitoring due to an electrolyte imbalance? | Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypomagnesemia |
| Which is the priority consideration for a nurse who is administering IV potassium to a patient who is experiencing acute hypokalemia? | Administering the solution slowly |
| What should the nurse monitor when providing care to a patient who is prescribed the prolonged use of IV normal saline (NS)? | Fluid volume excess |
| The nurse is caring for a patient with known hyponatremia. Which are appropriate nursing interventions for the nurse to implement for this patient? | Assist the patient to adhere to fluid restriction requirements.
Monitor intake and output. |
| Which foods should the nurse teach the patient to avoid when prescribed a low sodium diet for hypernatremia? | Canned Soup
Sports drinks
Table salt |
| The nurse is providing education to a patient diagnosed with hypermagnesemia. Which food should the nurse teach the patient to avoid? | Green, leafy vegetables |
| Which would be an appropriate instruction for a patient experiencing hypermagnesemia? | Avoid taking antacids |
| Which patient potassium level would require the nurse to prepare for cardiac monitoring? | 2.4 mEq/L |
| Which electrolyte excess or deficit will the nurse pay special attention to, given its critical role in maintaining appropriate cardiac functioning? | Sodium
Potassium |
| Which advantage of cardiac telemetry should the nurse include in the teaching session for a patient diagnosed with an electrolyte imbalance who requires cardiac monitoring? | Allows the patient’s cardiac activity to be monitored remotely without affecting the patient’s mobility |
| What purpose of cardiac monitoring should the nurse include in a teaching session for patients diagnosed with electrolyte imbalances? | To monitor for cardiac dysrhythmias |
| What nursing actions should be implemented prior to a patient receiving a dialysis treatment? | Obtaining vital signs
Assessing lab data
Providing instruction about what the patient should expect |
| A patient has a serum potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L and dialysis is ordered. Which should the nurse expect after the dialysis treatment? | The serum potassium concentration will decrease. |
| The nurse completes education for a patient who will receive dialysis to treat an electrolyte imbalance. Which patient statement indicates the correct understanding of the information presented? | “Dialysis removes excess wastes and electrolytes from my body.” |
| Which concept should the nurse include in a teaching session for a patient requiring dialysis for the treatment of an electrolyte imbalance? | Dialysis may be needed as a result of decreased renal function.
Blood is drawn from the body and processed through a series of filters to remove wastes.
Dialysis helps maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance. |
