,Galen NSG 3850 Exam 2 | Pathophysiology for
Nurses II (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which compartment contains approximately two-thirds of total body water?
A) Extracellular fluid
B) Intravascular fluid
C) Interstitial fluid
D) Intracellular fluid
Correct Answer: Intracellular fluid
Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) holds about two-thirds of total body water.
Extracellular fluid makes up the remaining one-third, which includes interstitial
and intravascular compartments. ICF is the primary fluid compartment.
2. A patient’s serum sodium level is 116 mEq/L. The nurse anticipates which
priority assessment finding?
A) Seizures and coma
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle cramps and hyperreflexia
D) Bounding pulse and hypertension
Correct Answer: Seizures and coma
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes water to shift into brain cells, leading to
cerebral edema and neurological symptoms such as seizures and coma. Thirst
and dry mucous membranes indicate hypernatremia.
,3. Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prominent U waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Correct Answer: Peaked T waves
Rationale: Elevated potassium levels cause tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS,
and prolonged PR interval. Flattened T waves and U waves are associated with
hypokalemia.
4. A patient receiving furosemide is at highest risk for developing which
electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes potassium excretion in the
distal tubule, leading to hypokalemia. This increases the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias, especially in patients on digoxin.
, 5. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Calcium gluconate
B) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C) Spironolactone
D) Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) exchanges sodium for
potassium in the gut, lowering serum potassium. Calcium gluconate stabilizes
the myocardium but does not lower potassium. Spironolactone is potassium-
sparing and would worsen hyperkalemia.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypokalemia. Which ECG
finding supports this diagnosis?
A) Peaked T waves
B) Widened QRS complex
C) ST segment elevation
D) Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
Correct Answer: Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes flattened T waves and prominent U waves on
the ECG. Peaked T waves and widened QRS are seen in hyperkalemia.
Nurses II (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which compartment contains approximately two-thirds of total body water?
A) Extracellular fluid
B) Intravascular fluid
C) Interstitial fluid
D) Intracellular fluid
Correct Answer: Intracellular fluid
Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) holds about two-thirds of total body water.
Extracellular fluid makes up the remaining one-third, which includes interstitial
and intravascular compartments. ICF is the primary fluid compartment.
2. A patient’s serum sodium level is 116 mEq/L. The nurse anticipates which
priority assessment finding?
A) Seizures and coma
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle cramps and hyperreflexia
D) Bounding pulse and hypertension
Correct Answer: Seizures and coma
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes water to shift into brain cells, leading to
cerebral edema and neurological symptoms such as seizures and coma. Thirst
and dry mucous membranes indicate hypernatremia.
,3. Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prominent U waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Correct Answer: Peaked T waves
Rationale: Elevated potassium levels cause tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS,
and prolonged PR interval. Flattened T waves and U waves are associated with
hypokalemia.
4. A patient receiving furosemide is at highest risk for developing which
electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes potassium excretion in the
distal tubule, leading to hypokalemia. This increases the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias, especially in patients on digoxin.
, 5. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Calcium gluconate
B) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C) Spironolactone
D) Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) exchanges sodium for
potassium in the gut, lowering serum potassium. Calcium gluconate stabilizes
the myocardium but does not lower potassium. Spironolactone is potassium-
sparing and would worsen hyperkalemia.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypokalemia. Which ECG
finding supports this diagnosis?
A) Peaked T waves
B) Widened QRS complex
C) ST segment elevation
D) Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
Correct Answer: Flattened T waves and prominent U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes flattened T waves and prominent U waves on
the ECG. Peaked T waves and widened QRS are seen in hyperkalemia.
