Exam 2: NUR201 / NUR 201 (Latest
Update) Medical-Surgical
Nursing I | Questions and Verified
Answers 100% Correct | Grade A –
Fortis
Question 1
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
Correct 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 .
Question 2
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
Correct 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, renal losses, and diuretics .
Question 3
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
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes fatigue, muscle weakness, weak thready pulse,
constipation, abdominal distention, anxiety, and paresthesias. Tall, peaked T waves are
characteristic of hyperkalemia, NOT hypokalemia .
Question 4
The nurse should recommend which foods for a patient with hypokalemia? (Select
all that apply)
A. Bananas
B. Oranges
C. Potatoes
D. Spinach
E. Yogurt
Correct 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 .
,Question 5
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
Correct Answer: A. 5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium > 5.0 mEq/L. The MOST
common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure. Other causes include acidosis, adrenal
insufficiency, and certain medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics)
.
Question 6
Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct Answer: C. Tall, peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves, wide QRS complexes, and
ventricular fibrillation. Flat T waves and U waves are characteristic of hypokalemia .
Question 7
A patient with hyperkalemia has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse
should prepare to administer which medication to protect the heart?
A. Furosemide (Lasix)
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
D. Insulin with dextrose
, Correct Answer: C. IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
Rationale: IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate is administered to protect the heart
from the effects of hyperkalemia by stabilizing the cardiac membrane .
Question 8
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is:
A. Vomiting
B. Diarrhea
C. Renal failure
D. Diuretic use
Correct Answer: C. Renal failure
Rationale: The MOST common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure due to the kidneys'
inability to excrete potassium. Caution is also needed when taking digoxin with
hyperkalemia as it can result in toxicity .
Question 9
What is the normal serum calcium range?
A. 6-7 mg/dL
B. 7-8 mg/dL
C. 8-10 mg/dL
D. 9-10.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D. 9-10.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 9-10.5 mg/dL. Calcium is a major cation in bones
and teeth, involved in blood clotting, myocardial and muscle contractions, and nerve
impulses .
Question 10
Update) Medical-Surgical
Nursing I | Questions and Verified
Answers 100% Correct | Grade A –
Fortis
Question 1
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
Correct 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 .
Question 2
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
Correct 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, renal losses, and diuretics .
Question 3
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
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes fatigue, muscle weakness, weak thready pulse,
constipation, abdominal distention, anxiety, and paresthesias. Tall, peaked T waves are
characteristic of hyperkalemia, NOT hypokalemia .
Question 4
The nurse should recommend which foods for a patient with hypokalemia? (Select
all that apply)
A. Bananas
B. Oranges
C. Potatoes
D. Spinach
E. Yogurt
Correct 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 .
,Question 5
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
Correct Answer: A. 5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium > 5.0 mEq/L. The MOST
common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure. Other causes include acidosis, adrenal
insufficiency, and certain medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics)
.
Question 6
Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct Answer: C. Tall, peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves, wide QRS complexes, and
ventricular fibrillation. Flat T waves and U waves are characteristic of hypokalemia .
Question 7
A patient with hyperkalemia has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse
should prepare to administer which medication to protect the heart?
A. Furosemide (Lasix)
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
D. Insulin with dextrose
, Correct Answer: C. IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
Rationale: IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate is administered to protect the heart
from the effects of hyperkalemia by stabilizing the cardiac membrane .
Question 8
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is:
A. Vomiting
B. Diarrhea
C. Renal failure
D. Diuretic use
Correct Answer: C. Renal failure
Rationale: The MOST common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure due to the kidneys'
inability to excrete potassium. Caution is also needed when taking digoxin with
hyperkalemia as it can result in toxicity .
Question 9
What is the normal serum calcium range?
A. 6-7 mg/dL
B. 7-8 mg/dL
C. 8-10 mg/dL
D. 9-10.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D. 9-10.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 9-10.5 mg/dL. Calcium is a major cation in bones
and teeth, involved in blood clotting, myocardial and muscle contractions, and nerve
impulses .
Question 10
