Author Question: The nurse educator is preparing an in-service for new RNs hired on a general pediatric unit ... (Read 94 times)

waynest · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

The nurse educator is preparing an in-service for new RNs hired on a general pediatric unit regarding normal fluid and electrolyte status for children at various ages.

Which statements will the educator include about normal fluid and electrolyte status of an infant?
1. The infant has 75 total body water.
2. The extracellular fluid accounts for 25 of total body water in the infant.
3. A high metabolic rate requires generous fluid intake for the infant.
4. The infant's kidneys are mature and able to conserve water and electrolytes.
5. The infant's high body surface area promotes fluid loss.

Question 2

A preschool-aged client, diagnosed with croup, has an increased pCO2, a decreased pH, and a normal HCO3 blood-gas value. Which documentation in the medical record is the most appropriate?

1. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
2. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
3. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
4. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis

Jmfn03 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2,3,5
Rationale: The nurse educator would include the following statements in the in-service: the extracellular fluid accounts for 25 of total body water in the infant; a high metabolic rate requires generous fluid intake for the infant; and the infant's high body surface area promotes fluid loss. All of these statements are true and accurate. The newborn, not the infant, has 75 total body water. All clients under the age of two years have immature kidney and are unable to conserve water and electrolytes.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: If the pH is decreased and the pCO2 is increased with a normal HCO3, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Also, croup can be a disease process that causes respiratory acidosis. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis has an increased pH, decreased pCO2 and normal HCO3; uncompensated metabolic acidosis has a decreased pH, normal pCO2 and normal HCO3; and uncompensated metabolic alkalosis has an increased pH, normal pCO2, and increased HCO3.