NSG 3113 Pathophysiology Exam 2
Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | High-
Yield Review | Graded A+
Question 1
What is the major extracellular cation?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B - Sodium is the major extracellular cation . In the body, sodium (Na+) ions
are concentrated in the extracellular fluid (ECF) .
Question 2
What is the major intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B - Potassium is the major intracellular cation . The ICF contains elevated
amounts of potassium and phosphate, while sodium is more concentrated in the ECF .
Question 3
The normal serum sodium level is:
A) 125-135 mEq/L
B) 135-145 mEq/L
C) 145-155 mEq/L
D) 155-165 mEq/L
,Answer: B - Normal serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L . Hyponatremia is less than 135
mEq/L; hypernatremia is greater than 145 mEq/L .
Question 4
The normal serum potassium level is:
A) 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C) 5.0-6.5 mEq/L
D) 6.5-8.0 mEq/L
Answer: B - Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L . The major concern with
imbalances of potassium (high or low) is cardiac dysrhythmias .
Question 5
Hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium less than:
A) 125 mEq/L
B) 135 mEq/L
C) 145 mEq/L
D) 155 mEq/L
Answer: B - Hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium less than 135 mEq/L . Signs and
symptoms include muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue .
Question 6
Hypernatremia is defined as serum sodium greater than:
A) 135 mEq/L
B) 140 mEq/L
C) 145 mEq/L
D) 150 mEq/L
,Answer: C - Hypernatremia is defined as serum sodium greater than 145 mEq/L . Signs
and symptoms include weakness, agitation, dry mucous membranes, thirst, and
decreased urine output .
Question 7
Which electrolyte imbalance is a major concern due to the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias?
A) Sodium
B) Calcium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: C - The major concern with imbalances of potassium (high or low) is cardiac
dysrhythmias . EKG changes with hyperkalemia include peaked T waves .
Question 8
The major cause of hyperkalemia is:
A) Increased potassium intake
B) Decreased renal function
C) Potassium shifts from ICF to ECF
D) Increased aldosterone secretion
Answer: B - The major cause of hyperkalemia is decreased renal function . The kidneys
are the primary route for potassium excretion, and impaired function leads to potassium
accumulation.
Question 9
A patient with hypokalemia would most likely exhibit which EKG change?
A) Peaked T waves
B) U waves and flattened T waves
C) Widened QRS complex
D) Shortened QT interval
, Answer: B - Hypokalemia causes U waves, flattened or inverted T waves, and ST
segment depression . Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia .
Question 10
A patient with hyperkalemia would most likely exhibit which EKG change?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
C) Peaked (tented) T waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C - EKG changes with hyperkalemia include peaked (tented) T waves . Flattened
T waves and prominent U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
Question 11
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) promotes:
A) Excretion of water from the kidneys
B) Reabsorption of water into the blood from the kidneys
C) Excretion of sodium from the kidneys
D) Reabsorption of sodium from the kidneys
Answer: B - ADH promotes reabsorption of water into the blood from the kidneys,
occurring at the nephron . It controls the amount of fluid that leaves the body .
Question 12
Signs of fluid volume deficit include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Poor skin turgor
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Bounding pulse
D) Hypotension
Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | High-
Yield Review | Graded A+
Question 1
What is the major extracellular cation?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B - Sodium is the major extracellular cation . In the body, sodium (Na+) ions
are concentrated in the extracellular fluid (ECF) .
Question 2
What is the major intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B - Potassium is the major intracellular cation . The ICF contains elevated
amounts of potassium and phosphate, while sodium is more concentrated in the ECF .
Question 3
The normal serum sodium level is:
A) 125-135 mEq/L
B) 135-145 mEq/L
C) 145-155 mEq/L
D) 155-165 mEq/L
,Answer: B - Normal serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L . Hyponatremia is less than 135
mEq/L; hypernatremia is greater than 145 mEq/L .
Question 4
The normal serum potassium level is:
A) 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C) 5.0-6.5 mEq/L
D) 6.5-8.0 mEq/L
Answer: B - Normal serum potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L . The major concern with
imbalances of potassium (high or low) is cardiac dysrhythmias .
Question 5
Hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium less than:
A) 125 mEq/L
B) 135 mEq/L
C) 145 mEq/L
D) 155 mEq/L
Answer: B - Hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium less than 135 mEq/L . Signs and
symptoms include muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue .
Question 6
Hypernatremia is defined as serum sodium greater than:
A) 135 mEq/L
B) 140 mEq/L
C) 145 mEq/L
D) 150 mEq/L
,Answer: C - Hypernatremia is defined as serum sodium greater than 145 mEq/L . Signs
and symptoms include weakness, agitation, dry mucous membranes, thirst, and
decreased urine output .
Question 7
Which electrolyte imbalance is a major concern due to the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias?
A) Sodium
B) Calcium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: C - The major concern with imbalances of potassium (high or low) is cardiac
dysrhythmias . EKG changes with hyperkalemia include peaked T waves .
Question 8
The major cause of hyperkalemia is:
A) Increased potassium intake
B) Decreased renal function
C) Potassium shifts from ICF to ECF
D) Increased aldosterone secretion
Answer: B - The major cause of hyperkalemia is decreased renal function . The kidneys
are the primary route for potassium excretion, and impaired function leads to potassium
accumulation.
Question 9
A patient with hypokalemia would most likely exhibit which EKG change?
A) Peaked T waves
B) U waves and flattened T waves
C) Widened QRS complex
D) Shortened QT interval
, Answer: B - Hypokalemia causes U waves, flattened or inverted T waves, and ST
segment depression . Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia .
Question 10
A patient with hyperkalemia would most likely exhibit which EKG change?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
C) Peaked (tented) T waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C - EKG changes with hyperkalemia include peaked (tented) T waves . Flattened
T waves and prominent U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
Question 11
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) promotes:
A) Excretion of water from the kidneys
B) Reabsorption of water into the blood from the kidneys
C) Excretion of sodium from the kidneys
D) Reabsorption of sodium from the kidneys
Answer: B - ADH promotes reabsorption of water into the blood from the kidneys,
occurring at the nephron . It controls the amount of fluid that leaves the body .
Question 12
Signs of fluid volume deficit include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Poor skin turgor
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Bounding pulse
D) Hypotension
