Exam 2: NUR201 / NUR 201 (Latest
Update) Medical-Surgical
Nursing I | Questions and Verified
Answers 100% Correct | Grade A –
Fortis College
Question 1
A patient who is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic for treatment of
hypertension complains of generalized weakness. It is most appropriate for the
nurse to take which action?
A. Assess for facial muscle spasms
B. Ask the patient about loose stools
C. Suggest that the patient avoid orange juice with meals
D. Assess the patient's serum potassium level
Correct Answer: D. Assess the patient's serum potassium level
Rationale: Generalized weakness is a manifestation of hypokalemia. Potassium-wasting
diuretics can cause hypokalemia. Orange juice is high in potassium and would be
encouraged, not avoided. Facial muscle spasms are associated with hypocalcemia .
Question 2
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
Correct Answer: B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
,Rationale: Normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the major
intracellular cation, involved in cellular growth, acid-base balance, cardiac rhythms, and
nerve/muscle cell function. It is regulated by the kidneys .
Question 3
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is:
A. Vomiting and diarrhea
B. Renal failure
C. Diuretic use
D. Insulin therapy
Correct Answer: B. Renal failure
Rationale: The most common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure. Other causes
include acidosis, excess or rapid parenteral administration, adrenal insufficiency, and
medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, and
NSAIDs .
Question 4
Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: C. Tall, peaked T waves
Rationale: Tall, peaked T waves are characteristic of hyperkalemia. Flat T waves and U
waves are seen in hypokalemia. Prolonged PR interval and wide QRS can occur with
severe hyperkalemia .
Question 5
,A patient with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride IV. Which nursing
intervention is most important?
A. Administer as an IV push
B. Administer no faster than 10 mEq/hr
C. Administer undiluted
D. Administer through a peripheral IV without an infusion pump
Correct Answer: B. Administer no faster than 10 mEq/hr
Rationale: IV potassium should never be given as a bolus or push, must be diluted, and
should be administered using an infusion pump. The rate should not exceed 10 mEq/hr
unless in a critical care setting with cardiac monitoring .
Question 6
Which food should the nurse encourage for a patient with hypokalemia?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Rice
D. Chicken
Correct Answer: B. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium. Other high-potassium foods include apricots,
avocados, cantaloupe, oranges, raisins, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, nuts, and yogurt .
Question 7
The normal serum calcium level is:
A. 7.0-8.5 mg/dL
B. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
C. 9.0-11.0 mg/dL
D. 10.5-12.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
, Rationale: Normal calcium range is 9-10.5 mg/dL. Calcium is the major cation in bones
and teeth, involved in blood clotting, myocardial/muscle contractions, and nerve
impulses. Calcium requires the active form of vitamin D. Parathyroid hormone and
calcitonin regulate calcium levels .
Question 8
Which assessment finding is characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Chvostek's sign
B. Trousseau's sign
C. Tetany
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes Chvostek's sign (facial twitching when tapping the
facial nerve), Trousseau's sign (carpopedal spasm when inflating a blood pressure cuff),
tetany, seizures, numbness/tingling in extremities and around the lips, weakness, and
dysrhythmias .
Question 9
A patient with hypercalcemia should be monitored for which complication?
A. Constipation
B. Renal calculi
C. Lethargy
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypercalcemia causes lethargy/weakness, depressed deep tendon reflexes,
increased blood pressure, constipation, renal calculi, anorexia, polyuria/polydipsia, bone
pain, and ventricular dysrhythmias .
Question 10
Update) Medical-Surgical
Nursing I | Questions and Verified
Answers 100% Correct | Grade A –
Fortis College
Question 1
A patient who is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic for treatment of
hypertension complains of generalized weakness. It is most appropriate for the
nurse to take which action?
A. Assess for facial muscle spasms
B. Ask the patient about loose stools
C. Suggest that the patient avoid orange juice with meals
D. Assess the patient's serum potassium level
Correct Answer: D. Assess the patient's serum potassium level
Rationale: Generalized weakness is a manifestation of hypokalemia. Potassium-wasting
diuretics can cause hypokalemia. Orange juice is high in potassium and would be
encouraged, not avoided. Facial muscle spasms are associated with hypocalcemia .
Question 2
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
Correct Answer: B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
,Rationale: Normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the major
intracellular cation, involved in cellular growth, acid-base balance, cardiac rhythms, and
nerve/muscle cell function. It is regulated by the kidneys .
Question 3
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is:
A. Vomiting and diarrhea
B. Renal failure
C. Diuretic use
D. Insulin therapy
Correct Answer: B. Renal failure
Rationale: The most common cause of hyperkalemia is renal failure. Other causes
include acidosis, excess or rapid parenteral administration, adrenal insufficiency, and
medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, and
NSAIDs .
Question 4
Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: C. Tall, peaked T waves
Rationale: Tall, peaked T waves are characteristic of hyperkalemia. Flat T waves and U
waves are seen in hypokalemia. Prolonged PR interval and wide QRS can occur with
severe hyperkalemia .
Question 5
,A patient with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride IV. Which nursing
intervention is most important?
A. Administer as an IV push
B. Administer no faster than 10 mEq/hr
C. Administer undiluted
D. Administer through a peripheral IV without an infusion pump
Correct Answer: B. Administer no faster than 10 mEq/hr
Rationale: IV potassium should never be given as a bolus or push, must be diluted, and
should be administered using an infusion pump. The rate should not exceed 10 mEq/hr
unless in a critical care setting with cardiac monitoring .
Question 6
Which food should the nurse encourage for a patient with hypokalemia?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Rice
D. Chicken
Correct Answer: B. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium. Other high-potassium foods include apricots,
avocados, cantaloupe, oranges, raisins, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, nuts, and yogurt .
Question 7
The normal serum calcium level is:
A. 7.0-8.5 mg/dL
B. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
C. 9.0-11.0 mg/dL
D. 10.5-12.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
, Rationale: Normal calcium range is 9-10.5 mg/dL. Calcium is the major cation in bones
and teeth, involved in blood clotting, myocardial/muscle contractions, and nerve
impulses. Calcium requires the active form of vitamin D. Parathyroid hormone and
calcitonin regulate calcium levels .
Question 8
Which assessment finding is characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Chvostek's sign
B. Trousseau's sign
C. Tetany
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes Chvostek's sign (facial twitching when tapping the
facial nerve), Trousseau's sign (carpopedal spasm when inflating a blood pressure cuff),
tetany, seizures, numbness/tingling in extremities and around the lips, weakness, and
dysrhythmias .
Question 9
A patient with hypercalcemia should be monitored for which complication?
A. Constipation
B. Renal calculi
C. Lethargy
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypercalcemia causes lethargy/weakness, depressed deep tendon reflexes,
increased blood pressure, constipation, renal calculi, anorexia, polyuria/polydipsia, bone
pain, and ventricular dysrhythmias .
Question 10
