NUR201 Exam 2: Medical-Surgical Nursing
I - Fortis Institute (Latest 2026/2027
Update) Verified Questions & Answers
with Rationales
Q1.What is the normal serum potassium range?
A) 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C) 5.5-6.5 mEq/L
D) 7.0-8.0 mEq/L
Answer: B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation (ICF). The
normal serum potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is
essential for cardiac rhythm maintenance, nerve and muscle cell
function, and acid-base balance. Levels outside this range can cause
life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Potassium is regulated
primarily by the kidneys.
**Q2: Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium level less
than:**
A) 3.5 mEq/L
,B) 4.0 mEq/L
C) 4.5 mEq/L
D) 5.0 mEq/L
**Answer: A) 3.5 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Hypokalemia is defined as serum potassium < 3.5
mEq/L. It results from an increased shift of potassium from ECF to
ICF. Common causes include vomiting, diarrhea, NG suctioning,
ileostomy drainage, renal losses, diuretics, magnesium depletion,
dialysis, insulin therapy (DKA), and alkalosis.
---
**Q3: Which of the following are manifestations of hypokalemia?
(Select all that apply)**
A) Fatigue and muscle weakness
B) Weak, thready pulse
C) Tall, peaked T waves on ECG
D) Constipation and abdominal distention
E) Anxiety and paresthesias
**Answer: A, B, D, E**
,**Rationale:** Hypokalemia manifestations include fatigue, muscle
weakness, weak thready pulse, anxiety, constipation, paresthesias,
hyperglycemia, abdominal distention, flat T waves, U waves,
prolonged QRS, and ventricular dysrhythmias. **Tall, peaked T waves
are characteristic of hyperkalemia**, NOT hypokalemia.
---
**Q4: A patient is receiving IV potassium chloride. Which nursing
action is essential?**
A) Administer as IV push for rapid correction
B) Ensure infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hour unless critical
C) Mix with lactated Ringer's solution
D) Administer undiluted for faster absorption
**Answer: B) Ensure infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hour
unless critical**
**Rationale:** IV potassium must ALWAYS be diluted and
administered via infusion pump. The maximum infusion rate is
typically 10 mEq/hour unless the patient is in a critical care setting
with cardiac monitoring. **NEVER administer IV potassium as a bolus
or push** as it can cause fatal cardiac arrest. Potassium should
NEVER be given undiluted.
---
, **Q5: Which foods are appropriate to recommend for a patient with
hypokalemia? (Select all that apply)**
A) Bananas
B) Oranges
C) Potatoes
D) Spinach
E) Yogurt
**Answer: A, B, C, D, E**
**Rationale:** Potassium-rich foods include apricots, avocados,
bananas, cantaloupe, tomatoes, honeydew, oranges, raisins, carrots,
potatoes, spinach, bran, granola, nuts and seeds, and yogurt. These
should be encouraged for patients with hypokalemia.
---
**Q6: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater
than:**
A) 5.0 mEq/L
B) 4.0 mEq/L
C) 6.0 mEq/L
D) 7.0 mEq/L
**Answer: A) 5.0 mEq/L**
I - Fortis Institute (Latest 2026/2027
Update) Verified Questions & Answers
with Rationales
Q1.What is the normal serum potassium range?
A) 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C) 5.5-6.5 mEq/L
D) 7.0-8.0 mEq/L
Answer: B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation (ICF). The
normal serum potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is
essential for cardiac rhythm maintenance, nerve and muscle cell
function, and acid-base balance. Levels outside this range can cause
life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Potassium is regulated
primarily by the kidneys.
**Q2: Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium level less
than:**
A) 3.5 mEq/L
,B) 4.0 mEq/L
C) 4.5 mEq/L
D) 5.0 mEq/L
**Answer: A) 3.5 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Hypokalemia is defined as serum potassium < 3.5
mEq/L. It results from an increased shift of potassium from ECF to
ICF. Common causes include vomiting, diarrhea, NG suctioning,
ileostomy drainage, renal losses, diuretics, magnesium depletion,
dialysis, insulin therapy (DKA), and alkalosis.
---
**Q3: Which of the following are manifestations of hypokalemia?
(Select all that apply)**
A) Fatigue and muscle weakness
B) Weak, thready pulse
C) Tall, peaked T waves on ECG
D) Constipation and abdominal distention
E) Anxiety and paresthesias
**Answer: A, B, D, E**
,**Rationale:** Hypokalemia manifestations include fatigue, muscle
weakness, weak thready pulse, anxiety, constipation, paresthesias,
hyperglycemia, abdominal distention, flat T waves, U waves,
prolonged QRS, and ventricular dysrhythmias. **Tall, peaked T waves
are characteristic of hyperkalemia**, NOT hypokalemia.
---
**Q4: A patient is receiving IV potassium chloride. Which nursing
action is essential?**
A) Administer as IV push for rapid correction
B) Ensure infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hour unless critical
C) Mix with lactated Ringer's solution
D) Administer undiluted for faster absorption
**Answer: B) Ensure infusion rate does not exceed 10 mEq/hour
unless critical**
**Rationale:** IV potassium must ALWAYS be diluted and
administered via infusion pump. The maximum infusion rate is
typically 10 mEq/hour unless the patient is in a critical care setting
with cardiac monitoring. **NEVER administer IV potassium as a bolus
or push** as it can cause fatal cardiac arrest. Potassium should
NEVER be given undiluted.
---
, **Q5: Which foods are appropriate to recommend for a patient with
hypokalemia? (Select all that apply)**
A) Bananas
B) Oranges
C) Potatoes
D) Spinach
E) Yogurt
**Answer: A, B, C, D, E**
**Rationale:** Potassium-rich foods include apricots, avocados,
bananas, cantaloupe, tomatoes, honeydew, oranges, raisins, carrots,
potatoes, spinach, bran, granola, nuts and seeds, and yogurt. These
should be encouraged for patients with hypokalemia.
---
**Q6: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater
than:**
A) 5.0 mEq/L
B) 4.0 mEq/L
C) 6.0 mEq/L
D) 7.0 mEq/L
**Answer: A) 5.0 mEq/L**
