Chapter 24: The Child with Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance

Chapter 24: The Child with Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. What substance is released from the posterior pituitary gland and promotes water retention in the renal system?

ANS:  D

ADH is released in response to increased osmolality and decreased volume of intravascular fluid; it promotes water retention in the renal system by increasing the permeability of renal tubules to water. Renin release is stimulated by diminished blood flow to the kidneys. Aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal cortex. It enhances sodium reabsorption in renal tubules, promoting osmotic reabsorption of water. Renin reacts with a plasma globulin to generate angiotensin, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor. Angiotensin also stimulates the release of aldosterone.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 947

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

2. Nurses should be alert for increased fluid requirements in which circumstance?

ANS:  A

Fever leads to great insensible fluid loss in young children because of increased body surface area relative to fluid volume. The mechanically ventilated child has decreased fluid requirements. Congestive heart failure is a case of fluid overload in children. Increased intracranial pressure does not lead to increased fluid requirements in children.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 948

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

3. What factor predisposes an infant to fluid imbalances?

ANS:  C

The infant’s kidneys are functionally immature at birth and are inefficient in excreting waste products of metabolism. Infants have a relatively high body surface area (BSA) compared with adults. This allows a higher loss of fluid to the environment. A higher metabolic rate is present as a result of the higher BSA in relation to active metabolic tissue. The higher metabolic rate increases heat production, which results in greater insensible water loss. Infants have a greater exchange of extracellular fluid, leaving them with a reduced fluid reserve in conditions of dehydration.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding       REF:   p. 948

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

4. What is the required number of milliliters of fluid needed per day for a 14-kg child?

ANS:  C

For the first 10 kg of body weight, a child requires 100 ml/kg. For each additional kilogram of body weight, an extra 50 ml is needed.

10 kg ´ 100 ml/kg/day = 1000 ml

4 kg ´ 50 ml/kg/day = 200 ml

1000 ml + 200 ml = 1200 ml/day

Eight hundred to 1000 ml is too little; 1400 ml is too much.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying               REF:   p. 952

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

5. An infant is brought to the emergency department with the following clinical manifestations: poor skin turgor, weight loss, lethargy, tachycardia, and tachypnea. This is suggestive of which situation?

ANS:  C

These clinical manifestations indicate water depletion or dehydration. Edema and weight gain occur with water excess or overhydration. Sodium or potassium excess would not cause these symptoms.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyzing             REF:   p. 949

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  Client Needs: Physiological Integrity