NUR 242 Exam 1 70 Questions | Accurate & Verified Answers to Pass
Actual Exam
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45
mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Trousseau’s sign
C. Hyporeflexia
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
,Expert Verified Explanation: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood
pressure cuff) and Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) are hallmark indicators of
hypocalcemia.
3. A patient with hyperkalemia is most at risk for which complication?
A. Seizures
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Fractures
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: Elevated potassium levels affect the electrical conduction of
the heart, potentially leading to fatal dysrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or
asystole.
4. Which IV fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 3% Normal Saline
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Normal Saline
Answer: D
Expert Verified Explanation: 0.9% Normal Saline has an osmolality similar to plasma,
making it an isotonic solution used for volume expansion.
,5. What is the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature
C. Providing alternative treatment options
D. Obtaining the consent for the surgeon
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure.
The nurse acts as a witness to ensure the patient is competent and signed voluntarily.
6. A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Insert a Foley catheter immediately
B. Increase IV fluid rate
C. Perform a bladder scan
D. Document the finding and reassess in 2 hours
Answer: C
Expert Verified Explanation: A bladder scan is a non-invasive first step to assess for
urinary retention before escalating to invasive procedures like catheterization.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with the use of loop diuretics like
Furosemide?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Expert Verified Explanation: Loop diuretics cause the excretion of potassium along with
water and sodium, frequently leading to hypokalemia.
8. What is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Tachycardia and increased end-tidal CO2
B. Muscle rigidity
C. High fever (105°F)
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Expert Verified Explanation: While fever is a late sign, tachycardia and a rise in end-tidal
CO2 are the earliest indicators of the hypermetabolic state in malignant hyperthermia.
9. Which assessment finding indicates fluid volume deficit?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Bounding pulse
Actual Exam
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45
mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Trousseau’s sign
C. Hyporeflexia
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
,Expert Verified Explanation: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood
pressure cuff) and Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) are hallmark indicators of
hypocalcemia.
3. A patient with hyperkalemia is most at risk for which complication?
A. Seizures
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Fractures
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: Elevated potassium levels affect the electrical conduction of
the heart, potentially leading to fatal dysrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or
asystole.
4. Which IV fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 3% Normal Saline
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Normal Saline
Answer: D
Expert Verified Explanation: 0.9% Normal Saline has an osmolality similar to plasma,
making it an isotonic solution used for volume expansion.
,5. What is the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature
C. Providing alternative treatment options
D. Obtaining the consent for the surgeon
Answer: B
Expert Verified Explanation: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure.
The nurse acts as a witness to ensure the patient is competent and signed voluntarily.
6. A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Insert a Foley catheter immediately
B. Increase IV fluid rate
C. Perform a bladder scan
D. Document the finding and reassess in 2 hours
Answer: C
Expert Verified Explanation: A bladder scan is a non-invasive first step to assess for
urinary retention before escalating to invasive procedures like catheterization.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with the use of loop diuretics like
Furosemide?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Expert Verified Explanation: Loop diuretics cause the excretion of potassium along with
water and sodium, frequently leading to hypokalemia.
8. What is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Tachycardia and increased end-tidal CO2
B. Muscle rigidity
C. High fever (105°F)
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Expert Verified Explanation: While fever is a late sign, tachycardia and a rise in end-tidal
CO2 are the earliest indicators of the hypermetabolic state in malignant hyperthermia.
9. Which assessment finding indicates fluid volume deficit?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Bounding pulse
