Promoting Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Promoting Fluid and Electrolyte Balance ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus about fluid and electrolyte balance. The nurse should instruct the client to increase fluid intake before, during, and after active exercise for which of the following reasons?
To prevent hypernatremia and dehydration. This is the correct reason because exercise increases fluid loss through sweating and breathing, which can lead to dehydration and high sodium levels in the blood (hypernatremia) Dehydration and hypernatremia can cause symptoms such as thirst, confusion, weakness, and seizures. Therefore, increasing fluid intake before, during, and after active exercise can help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in clients who have diabetes mellitus.
To dilute excess glucose and ketones in the blood. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not lower blood glucose or ketone levels significantly. Clients who have diabetes mellitus should monitor their blood glucose and ketone levels regularly and adjust their insulin dosage and carbohydrate intake accordingly. Fluid intake alone is not enough to prevent hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis, which are serious complications of diabetes mellitus.
To promote renal perfusion and urine output. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not improve kidney function or urine output in clients who have diabetes mellitus. Clients who have diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing diabetic nephropathy, which is a chronic kidney disease caused by damage to the blood vessels and glomeruli of the kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy can lead to reduced renal perfusion and urine output, as well as proteinuria, edema, hypertension, and renal failure. Therefore, increasing fluid intake does not prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy.
To replace lost electrolytes and prevent acidosis. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not replenish electrolytes or prevent acidosis in clients who have diabetes mellitus. Clients who have diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening condition caused by insufficient insulin production or utilization, resulting in high blood glucose and ketone levels. DKA causes metabolic acidosis, which lowers the pH of the blood and body fluids. DKA also causes electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels. Therefore, increasing fluid intake does not correct the metabolic acidosis or electrolyte imbalances caused by DKA.
Choice A reason:
To prevent hypernatremia and dehydration. This is the correct reason because exercise increases fluid loss through sweating and breathing, which can lead to dehydration and high sodium levels in the blood (hypernatremia) Dehydration and hypernatremia can cause symptoms such as thirst, confusion, weakness, and seizures. Therefore, increasing fluid intake before, during, and after active exercise can help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in clients who have diabetes mellitus.
Choice B reason:
To dilute excess glucose and ketones in the blood. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not lower blood glucose or ketone levels significantly. Clients who have diabetes mellitus should monitor their blood glucose and ketone levels regularly and adjust their insulin dosage and carbohydrate intake accordingly. Fluid intake alone is not enough to prevent hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis, which are serious complications of diabetes mellitus.
Choice C reason:
To promote renal perfusion and urine output. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not improve kidney function or urine output in clients who have diabetes mellitus. Clients who have diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing diabetic nephropathy, which is a chronic kidney disease caused by damage to the blood vessels and glomeruli of the kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy can lead to reduced renal perfusion and urine output, as well as proteinuria, edema, hypertension, and renal failure. Therefore, increasing fluid intake does not prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy.
Choice D reason:
To replace lost electrolytes and prevent acidosis. This is not a correct reason because increasing fluid intake does not replenish electrolytes or prevent acidosis in clients who have diabetes mellitus. Clients who have diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening condition caused by insufficient insulin production or utilization, resulting in high blood glucose and ketone levels. DKA causes metabolic acidosis, which lowers the pH of the blood and body fluids. DKA also causes electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels. Therefore, increasing fluid intake does not correct the metabolic acidosis or electrolyte imbalances caused by DKA.