Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 67%
Full-length
Passage / Scenario
A 30-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor. The woman's vital signs are BP 120/70, temperature 101°F (38.3°C), pulse 88, respirations 14. Laboratory Test s indicate the serum sodium is 150 mEq/L and the Hct is 48%.The nurse would expect the physician to order which of the following IV fluids?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Strategy: All answers are implementations. Determine the outcome of each answer choice. Is it desired? (1) hypertonic solutions contraindicated in dehydration (2) correct-hypotonic solution, shifts fluid into intracellular space to correct dehydration (3) isotonic solution, not best with dehydration (4) isotonic solution used to replace electrolytes