Electrolyte Management in Critical Care · NCLEX Exam

Why is hypophosphatemia clinically significant in electrolyte management in critically ill patients?

  1. Phosphorus has no clinically meaningful systemic effects
  2. Severe depletion impairs diaphragm function and ventilator weaning
  3. It only affects bone health over the long term
  4. It requires no specific intervention in acute care settings
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Correct answer: Severe depletion impairs diaphragm function and ventilator weaning

In critical care, hypophosphatemia can cause muscle weakness including respiratory muscles, complicating ventilator weaning and recovery.

Difficulty: Hard Question 8 of 15

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