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NUR 210 Exam 3 2026/2027 Galen Principles of
Pharmacology Actual Exam Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Study Guide Grade A
1. What is oncotic pressure?
A. The pressure exerted by sodium in the blood
B. The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin; draws water into
capillaries; low albumin leads to edema
C. The pressure within blood vessels from cardiac output
D. The pressure that pushes fluid out of capillaries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins
(primarily albumin), drawing water into capillaries. Low albumin levels cause fluid
accumulation in tissues (edema).
2. What happens when the body detects low blood pressure or high osmolality?
A. The hypothalamus releases aldosterone
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B. The hypothalamus tells the posterior pituitary to release ADH; ADH causes water
reabsorption in kidneys and vasoconstriction
C. The kidneys excrete more water
D. The heart rate decreases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the body detects low blood pressure or high osmolality,
osmoreceptors and baroreceptors signal the hypothalamus, which stimulates the
posterior pituitary to release ADH. ADH increases water reabsorption in the kidneys and
causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood volume and pressure.
3. What is osmosis?
A. Active movement of molecules against concentration gradient
B. Passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from low solute
concentration to high solute concentration
C. Movement of solutes from high to low concentration
D. Movement of water from high to low solute concentration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable
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membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration to
equalize concentrations.
4. What is active transport?
A. Passive movement of water across a membrane
B. Movement of molecules against concentration gradient from low to high
concentration using ATP
C. Movement of solutes from high to low concentration
D. Diffusion of gases across membranes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active transport moves molecules against their concentration gradient (low
to high) using ATP (energy). The sodium-potassium pump is a key example.
5. What is the normal range for sodium (Na⁺)?
A. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Normal sodium range is 135-145 mEq/L. Sodium regulates fluid balance and
nerve transmission.
6. What are signs of sodium imbalance? (Select all that apply.)
A. Seizures, confusion (low sodium)
B. Dehydration (high sodium)
C. Peaked T waves
D. Tetany
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) causes seizures and confusion; hypernatremia
(high sodium) causes dehydration. Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalemia; tetany
indicates hypocalcemia.
7. What is the normal range for potassium (K⁺)?
A. 135-145 mEq/L
B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
NUR 210 Exam 3 2026/2027 Galen Principles of
Pharmacology Actual Exam Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Study Guide Grade A
1. What is oncotic pressure?
A. The pressure exerted by sodium in the blood
B. The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin; draws water into
capillaries; low albumin leads to edema
C. The pressure within blood vessels from cardiac output
D. The pressure that pushes fluid out of capillaries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins
(primarily albumin), drawing water into capillaries. Low albumin levels cause fluid
accumulation in tissues (edema).
2. What happens when the body detects low blood pressure or high osmolality?
A. The hypothalamus releases aldosterone
,2|Page
B. The hypothalamus tells the posterior pituitary to release ADH; ADH causes water
reabsorption in kidneys and vasoconstriction
C. The kidneys excrete more water
D. The heart rate decreases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the body detects low blood pressure or high osmolality,
osmoreceptors and baroreceptors signal the hypothalamus, which stimulates the
posterior pituitary to release ADH. ADH increases water reabsorption in the kidneys and
causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood volume and pressure.
3. What is osmosis?
A. Active movement of molecules against concentration gradient
B. Passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from low solute
concentration to high solute concentration
C. Movement of solutes from high to low concentration
D. Movement of water from high to low solute concentration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable
,3|Page
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration to
equalize concentrations.
4. What is active transport?
A. Passive movement of water across a membrane
B. Movement of molecules against concentration gradient from low to high
concentration using ATP
C. Movement of solutes from high to low concentration
D. Diffusion of gases across membranes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active transport moves molecules against their concentration gradient (low
to high) using ATP (energy). The sodium-potassium pump is a key example.
5. What is the normal range for sodium (Na⁺)?
A. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
, 4|Page
Rationale: Normal sodium range is 135-145 mEq/L. Sodium regulates fluid balance and
nerve transmission.
6. What are signs of sodium imbalance? (Select all that apply.)
A. Seizures, confusion (low sodium)
B. Dehydration (high sodium)
C. Peaked T waves
D. Tetany
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) causes seizures and confusion; hypernatremia
(high sodium) causes dehydration. Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalemia; tetany
indicates hypocalcemia.
7. What is the normal range for potassium (K⁺)?
A. 135-145 mEq/L
B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
