NSG 252/ NSG252 EXAM 1 (LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027) COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED AND DETAILED
ANSWERS| GRADED A+
QUESTION 1
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). The
client asks the nurse, "Are my kidneys failing? Will I need a kidney transplant?" Which
response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. "No, don't think that. You're going to be fine."
B. "In most cases, your condition can be reversed with prompt treatment and usually will not
destroy the kidneys."
C. "Kidney transplantation is highly likely, so it would be a good idea to start talking to your
family members about organ donation."
D. "When the doctor comes to see you, we can talk about whether you will need a transplant."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is often resolved without the need for transplant if
treatment is initiated quickly. There is no need to start lining up donors or wait for the
provider to arrive to explore options. Telling the client that everything will be fine is
condescending, provides no information, and is not within the nurse's ability to know.
QUESTION 2
A client diagnosed with frequent urinary tract infections is seen in the urology clinic. The
nurse reviews the client's medical history and determines that the client is at risk for acute
kidney injury. Which items in the client's history support this conclusion? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dehydration
B. Renal calculi
C. Ineffective wound healing
D. Low serum albumin
E. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Dehydration, renal calculi, and hypertension can all precipitate acute kidney
injury (AKI). Ineffective wound healing has not been shown to cause renal failure unless
the infection becomes systemic. A low serum albumin does not cause AKI.
,QUESTION 3
A young school-age client is in the hospital with an acute kidney injury diagnosis following a
streptococcus infection. The client's parents primarily speak Spanish but have a limited ability
to understand English. Through an interpreter, the parents ask the nurse what mistake they
made that caused their child to be so sick. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. "Your child does not eat enough dietary protein."
B. "Your child has a congenital defect that led to renal failure."
C. "Your child's renal failure has been caused by a low calcium level."
D. "Your child's recent infection may have caused the renal failure."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with streptococcus are at risk for kidney and cardiac sequelae. In this
case, the child has no evidence of a congenital defect leading to acute kidney injury (AKI).
A low-protein or low-calcium diet will not lead to AKI.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI). The nurse
plans the client's care based on the nursing diagnosis of Excess Fluid Volume. Which
assessment data supports this nursing diagnosis?
A. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Bowel sounds positive in four quadrants
C. Wheezing in the lungs
D. Generalized weakness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client in acute kidney injury (AKI) will likely be edematous, because the
kidneys are not producing urine. Wheezing in the lungs is an assessment consistent with
asthma, not AKI. Bowel sounds in four quadrants is a normal assessment finding.
Generalized weakness may be due to whatever disease process precipitated the kidney
failure.
QUESTION 5
A client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) is receiving peritoneal dialysis. The nurse is
explaining the dialysis process to the client and family. Which statement should the nurse
include in this discussion?
A. "The peritoneum is more permeable because of the presence of excess metabolites."
B. "The metabolites will diffuse from the interstitial space to the bloodstream mainly through
diffusion and ultrafiltration."
C. "The peritoneum acts as a semipermeable membrane through which wastes move by
diffusion and osmosis."
D. "The solutes in the dialysate will enter the bloodstream through the peritoneum."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The peritoneum acts as a semipermeable membrane, allowing substances to
move from an area of high concentration (the blood) to an area of lower concentration
,(the dialysate). Metabolic waste products and excess water can be eliminated through
osmosis and diffusion using the peritoneum as the semipermeable membrane.
QUESTION 6
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI). When reviewing the
client's laboratory data, which findings should indicate to the nurse that the client has met the
expected outcomes? (Select all that apply.)
A. Decreasing serum creatinine
B. Decreasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Decreasing neutrophil count
D. Decreasing lymphocyte count
E. Decreasing erythrocyte count
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Creatinine is the metabolic end product of creatine phosphate and is excreted
via the kidneys in relatively constant amounts. BUN, a measurement of the nitrogen
portion of urea, is also excreted in urine and is a good indicator of renal function.
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes are not used to monitor the return of renal
function.
QUESTION 7
What is the most frequent complication during hemodialysis?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Hypotension
C. Localized infection
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension is the most frequent complication during hemodialysis. It may
result from changes in serum osmolality, rapid removal of fluid from the vascular
compartment, vasodilation, and other factors. Bleeding is another possible complication,
although it does not occur as often as hypotension. Infection is also commonly associated
with hemodialysis, although it occurs following treatment rather than during dialysis.
QUESTION 8
A client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) will be discharged to home in the next few
days. When conducting dietary instruction, the nurse should teach the client to choose proteins
that are high in biological value. Which client statement indicates that this teaching has been
effective?
A. "I will be sure to include eggs in my diet."
B. "I should include vegetables at every meal."
C. "Legumes should be included in my diet, because they are complete proteins."
, D. "I will eat nuts daily because they are high in protein."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eggs are an excellent source of essential amino acids and are recommended as
part of the diet for a client with acute kidney injury (AKI) who is on a protein-restricted
diet. Legumes, nuts, and vegetables do contain protein, but they are incomplete proteins
and thus not as good a protein source as eggs.
QUESTION 9
The nurse is planning care for a client admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure. Based on this
diagnosis, which type of kidney failure is the client at an increased risk for experiencing?
A. Prerenal hypovolemia
B. Intraneral glomerular injury
C. Intraneral acute tubular necrosis
D. Prerenal low cardiac output
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Heart failure is one possible cause of prerenal kidney failure due to low
cardiac output. In comparison, causes of prerenal kidney failure due to hypovolemia
include hemorrhage, dehydration, burns, wounds, and excess fluid loss from the
gastrointestinal tract. Causes of intraneral kidney failure due to glomerular injury
include glomerulonephritis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, vasculitis,
hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Finally, causes of
intraneral kidney failure due to acute tubular necrosis include ischemia resulting from
conditions associated with prerenal failure, toxins, hemolysis, and rhabdomyolysis.
QUESTION 10
The nurse is concerned that an older adult client is at risk for developing acute kidney injury
(AKI). Which data in the client's history supports the nurse's concern? (Select all that apply.)
A. Diagnosed with hypotension
B. Recent aortic valve replacement surgery
C. Prescribed high doses of intravenous antibiotics
D. Total hip replacement surgery 5 years ago
E. Taking medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Older adults develop acute kidney injury more frequently because of the
higher incidence of serious illnesses, hypotension, major surgeries, diagnostic procedures,
and treatment with nephrotoxic drugs. Decreased kidney function associated with aging
also puts the older client at risk for acute kidney injury. Hypotension, aortic valve
replacement surgery, and receipt of high doses of intravenous antibiotics increase this
client's risk for developing acute kidney injury. A previous history of hip replacement
surgery and current treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus are not identified risk factors
for the development of acute kidney injury.
2026/2027) COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED AND DETAILED
ANSWERS| GRADED A+
QUESTION 1
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with a diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). The
client asks the nurse, "Are my kidneys failing? Will I need a kidney transplant?" Which
response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. "No, don't think that. You're going to be fine."
B. "In most cases, your condition can be reversed with prompt treatment and usually will not
destroy the kidneys."
C. "Kidney transplantation is highly likely, so it would be a good idea to start talking to your
family members about organ donation."
D. "When the doctor comes to see you, we can talk about whether you will need a transplant."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is often resolved without the need for transplant if
treatment is initiated quickly. There is no need to start lining up donors or wait for the
provider to arrive to explore options. Telling the client that everything will be fine is
condescending, provides no information, and is not within the nurse's ability to know.
QUESTION 2
A client diagnosed with frequent urinary tract infections is seen in the urology clinic. The
nurse reviews the client's medical history and determines that the client is at risk for acute
kidney injury. Which items in the client's history support this conclusion? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dehydration
B. Renal calculi
C. Ineffective wound healing
D. Low serum albumin
E. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Dehydration, renal calculi, and hypertension can all precipitate acute kidney
injury (AKI). Ineffective wound healing has not been shown to cause renal failure unless
the infection becomes systemic. A low serum albumin does not cause AKI.
,QUESTION 3
A young school-age client is in the hospital with an acute kidney injury diagnosis following a
streptococcus infection. The client's parents primarily speak Spanish but have a limited ability
to understand English. Through an interpreter, the parents ask the nurse what mistake they
made that caused their child to be so sick. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A. "Your child does not eat enough dietary protein."
B. "Your child has a congenital defect that led to renal failure."
C. "Your child's renal failure has been caused by a low calcium level."
D. "Your child's recent infection may have caused the renal failure."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with streptococcus are at risk for kidney and cardiac sequelae. In this
case, the child has no evidence of a congenital defect leading to acute kidney injury (AKI).
A low-protein or low-calcium diet will not lead to AKI.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI). The nurse
plans the client's care based on the nursing diagnosis of Excess Fluid Volume. Which
assessment data supports this nursing diagnosis?
A. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Bowel sounds positive in four quadrants
C. Wheezing in the lungs
D. Generalized weakness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client in acute kidney injury (AKI) will likely be edematous, because the
kidneys are not producing urine. Wheezing in the lungs is an assessment consistent with
asthma, not AKI. Bowel sounds in four quadrants is a normal assessment finding.
Generalized weakness may be due to whatever disease process precipitated the kidney
failure.
QUESTION 5
A client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) is receiving peritoneal dialysis. The nurse is
explaining the dialysis process to the client and family. Which statement should the nurse
include in this discussion?
A. "The peritoneum is more permeable because of the presence of excess metabolites."
B. "The metabolites will diffuse from the interstitial space to the bloodstream mainly through
diffusion and ultrafiltration."
C. "The peritoneum acts as a semipermeable membrane through which wastes move by
diffusion and osmosis."
D. "The solutes in the dialysate will enter the bloodstream through the peritoneum."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The peritoneum acts as a semipermeable membrane, allowing substances to
move from an area of high concentration (the blood) to an area of lower concentration
,(the dialysate). Metabolic waste products and excess water can be eliminated through
osmosis and diffusion using the peritoneum as the semipermeable membrane.
QUESTION 6
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI). When reviewing the
client's laboratory data, which findings should indicate to the nurse that the client has met the
expected outcomes? (Select all that apply.)
A. Decreasing serum creatinine
B. Decreasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Decreasing neutrophil count
D. Decreasing lymphocyte count
E. Decreasing erythrocyte count
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Creatinine is the metabolic end product of creatine phosphate and is excreted
via the kidneys in relatively constant amounts. BUN, a measurement of the nitrogen
portion of urea, is also excreted in urine and is a good indicator of renal function.
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and erythrocytes are not used to monitor the return of renal
function.
QUESTION 7
What is the most frequent complication during hemodialysis?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Hypotension
C. Localized infection
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension is the most frequent complication during hemodialysis. It may
result from changes in serum osmolality, rapid removal of fluid from the vascular
compartment, vasodilation, and other factors. Bleeding is another possible complication,
although it does not occur as often as hypotension. Infection is also commonly associated
with hemodialysis, although it occurs following treatment rather than during dialysis.
QUESTION 8
A client diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) will be discharged to home in the next few
days. When conducting dietary instruction, the nurse should teach the client to choose proteins
that are high in biological value. Which client statement indicates that this teaching has been
effective?
A. "I will be sure to include eggs in my diet."
B. "I should include vegetables at every meal."
C. "Legumes should be included in my diet, because they are complete proteins."
, D. "I will eat nuts daily because they are high in protein."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eggs are an excellent source of essential amino acids and are recommended as
part of the diet for a client with acute kidney injury (AKI) who is on a protein-restricted
diet. Legumes, nuts, and vegetables do contain protein, but they are incomplete proteins
and thus not as good a protein source as eggs.
QUESTION 9
The nurse is planning care for a client admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure. Based on this
diagnosis, which type of kidney failure is the client at an increased risk for experiencing?
A. Prerenal hypovolemia
B. Intraneral glomerular injury
C. Intraneral acute tubular necrosis
D. Prerenal low cardiac output
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Heart failure is one possible cause of prerenal kidney failure due to low
cardiac output. In comparison, causes of prerenal kidney failure due to hypovolemia
include hemorrhage, dehydration, burns, wounds, and excess fluid loss from the
gastrointestinal tract. Causes of intraneral kidney failure due to glomerular injury
include glomerulonephritis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, vasculitis,
hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Finally, causes of
intraneral kidney failure due to acute tubular necrosis include ischemia resulting from
conditions associated with prerenal failure, toxins, hemolysis, and rhabdomyolysis.
QUESTION 10
The nurse is concerned that an older adult client is at risk for developing acute kidney injury
(AKI). Which data in the client's history supports the nurse's concern? (Select all that apply.)
A. Diagnosed with hypotension
B. Recent aortic valve replacement surgery
C. Prescribed high doses of intravenous antibiotics
D. Total hip replacement surgery 5 years ago
E. Taking medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Older adults develop acute kidney injury more frequently because of the
higher incidence of serious illnesses, hypotension, major surgeries, diagnostic procedures,
and treatment with nephrotoxic drugs. Decreased kidney function associated with aging
also puts the older client at risk for acute kidney injury. Hypotension, aortic valve
replacement surgery, and receipt of high doses of intravenous antibiotics increase this
client's risk for developing acute kidney injury. A previous history of hip replacement
surgery and current treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus are not identified risk factors
for the development of acute kidney injury.
