A nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients. On review of the clients medical records, the nurse determines that which client is at risk for deficient fluid volume?

A client with a colostomy

Rationale: Causes of deficient fluid volume include vomiting, diarrhea, conditions that cause increased respirations or increased urinary output, insufficient IV fluid replacement, draining fistulas, and the presence of an ileostomy or colostomy. A client with congestive heart failure or decreased kidney function, or a client receiving frequent wound irrigations, is at risk for excess fluid volume. Test-Taking Strategy: Read the question carefully, noting that it asks for the client at risk for a deficit. Read each option and think about the fluid imbalance that can occur in each. The clients presented in options B, C, and D retain fluid. The only condition that can cause a deficit is the condition noted in option A. If you had difficulty with this question, review the causes of deficient fluid volume.