Factors Affecting Body Fluid, Electrolyte Fluid Imbalances

Factors Affecting Body Fluid, Electrolyte Fluid Imbalances ( 5 Questions)

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has overhydration. Which of the following values should the nurse expect?



Correct Answer: D
  • Choice A reason:

  • Serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg is not a sign of overhydration. Serum osmolality measures the concentration of dissolved particles in the blood. Normal serum osmolality ranges from 275 to 295 mOsm/kg. Overhydration causes serum osmolality to decrease because of the excess water in the blood.

  • Choice B reason:

  • Serum sodium 150 mEq/L is not a sign of overhydration. Serum sodium measures the amount of sodium (salt) in the blood. Normal serum sodium ranges from 135 to 145 mEq/L. Overhydration causes serum sodium to decrease because of the dilution of sodium by excess water. This condition is called hyponatremia and can affect brain function.

  • Choice C reason:

  • Hemoglobin 18 g/dL is not a sign of overhydration. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Normal hemoglobin ranges from 12 to 16 g/dL for women and from 14 to 18 g/dL for men. Overhydration does not directly affect hemoglobin levels, but it can cause hemodilution, which is a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin due to increased plasma volume.

  • Choice D reason:

  • Urine specific gravity 1.005 is a sign of overhydration. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of urine compared to water. Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.010 to 1.030. Overhydration causes urine specific gravity to decrease because of the excess water in the urine. This indicates that the kidneys are excreting more water than solutes.




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