NUR 330 COURSEPOINT EXAM ONE STUDY GUIDE | NUR 330 COURSEPOINT EXAM
1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | NURSING REVIEW 2026/2027
Air embolism is a potential complication of IV therapy. The nurse should be alert to which clinical
manifestation associated with air embolism?
A. Chest pain
B. Hypertension
C. Slow pulse
D. Jaundice - ✔✔A. Chest Pain
Manifestations of air embolism include dyspnea and cyanosis; hypotension; weak, rapid pulse; loss of
consciousness; and chest, shoulder, and low back pain. Jaundice is not associated with air embolism.
A client is taking spironolactone to control hypertension. The client's serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
What is the nurse's priority during assessment?
A. neuromuscular function
B. bowel sounds
C. respiratory rate
D. electrocardiogram (ECG) results - ✔✔D. electrocardiogram (ECG) results
Although changes in all these findings are seen in hyperkalemia, ECG results should take priority because
changes can indicate potentially lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. It wouldn't be
appropriate to assess the client's neuromuscular function, bowel sounds, or respiratory rate for effects of
hyperkalemia.
Which set of arterial blood gas (ABG) results requires further investigation?
A. pH 7.38, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) 36 mm Hg, partial pressure of arterial
oxygen (PaO2) 95 mm Hg, bicarbonate (HCO3-) 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.44, PaCO2 43 mm Hg, PaO2 99 mm Hg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L
D. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, PaO2 91 mm Hg, and HCO3- 22 mEq/L - ✔✔B. pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg,
PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L
The ABG results pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L indicate respiratory
alkalosis. The pH level is increased, and the HCO3- and PaCO2 levels are decreased. Normal values are
pH 7.35 to 7.45; PaCO2 35 to 45 mm Hg; HCO3- 22 to 26 mEq/L.
The calcium concentration in the blood is regulated by which mechanism?
A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
B. Thyroid hormone (TH)
C. Adrenal gland
, D. Androgens - ✔✔A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
The serum calcium concentration is controlled by PTH and calcitonin. The thyroid hormone, adrenal
gland, or androgens do not regulate the calcium concentration in the blood.
Which of the following arterial blood gas results would be consistent with metabolic alkalosis?
A.Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L
B. PaCO2 less than 35 mm Hg
C.Serum bicarbonate of 21 mEq/L
D. pH 7.26 - ✔✔A.Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L
Evaluation of arterial blood gases reveals a pH greater than 7.45 and a serum bicarbonate concentration
greater than 26 mEq/L.
An elderly client takes 40 mg of furosemide twice a day. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most serious
adverse effect of diuretic use?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypophosphatemia - ✔✔B. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L) usually indicates a deficit in total potassium stores.
Potassium-losing diuretics, such as furosemide, can induce hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia refers to
increased potassium levels. Loop diuretics can bring about lower sodium levels, not hypernatremia.
Furosemide does not affect phosphorus levels.
Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center, located in which of the following cerebral areas?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Cerebellum
C. Brainstem
D. Thalamus - ✔✔A. Hypothalamus
Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center located in the hypothalamus. The thirst center is not located
in the cerebellum, brainstem, or thalamus.
The nurse is caring for an older adult client in the home setting who is experiencing decreased thirst.
Which type of fluid imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
A. Dehydration
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypervolemia
D. Third spacing - ✔✔A. Dehydration
The nurse should anticipate the presence of dehydration, which is the most common fluid imbalance in
older adult clients that results from decreased thirst. Hypovolemia is a condition in which only the blood
1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | NURSING REVIEW 2026/2027
Air embolism is a potential complication of IV therapy. The nurse should be alert to which clinical
manifestation associated with air embolism?
A. Chest pain
B. Hypertension
C. Slow pulse
D. Jaundice - ✔✔A. Chest Pain
Manifestations of air embolism include dyspnea and cyanosis; hypotension; weak, rapid pulse; loss of
consciousness; and chest, shoulder, and low back pain. Jaundice is not associated with air embolism.
A client is taking spironolactone to control hypertension. The client's serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
What is the nurse's priority during assessment?
A. neuromuscular function
B. bowel sounds
C. respiratory rate
D. electrocardiogram (ECG) results - ✔✔D. electrocardiogram (ECG) results
Although changes in all these findings are seen in hyperkalemia, ECG results should take priority because
changes can indicate potentially lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. It wouldn't be
appropriate to assess the client's neuromuscular function, bowel sounds, or respiratory rate for effects of
hyperkalemia.
Which set of arterial blood gas (ABG) results requires further investigation?
A. pH 7.38, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) 36 mm Hg, partial pressure of arterial
oxygen (PaO2) 95 mm Hg, bicarbonate (HCO3-) 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.44, PaCO2 43 mm Hg, PaO2 99 mm Hg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L
D. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, PaO2 91 mm Hg, and HCO3- 22 mEq/L - ✔✔B. pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg,
PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L
The ABG results pH 7.49, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, PaO2 89 mm Hg, and HCO3- 18 mEq/L indicate respiratory
alkalosis. The pH level is increased, and the HCO3- and PaCO2 levels are decreased. Normal values are
pH 7.35 to 7.45; PaCO2 35 to 45 mm Hg; HCO3- 22 to 26 mEq/L.
The calcium concentration in the blood is regulated by which mechanism?
A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
B. Thyroid hormone (TH)
C. Adrenal gland
, D. Androgens - ✔✔A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
The serum calcium concentration is controlled by PTH and calcitonin. The thyroid hormone, adrenal
gland, or androgens do not regulate the calcium concentration in the blood.
Which of the following arterial blood gas results would be consistent with metabolic alkalosis?
A.Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L
B. PaCO2 less than 35 mm Hg
C.Serum bicarbonate of 21 mEq/L
D. pH 7.26 - ✔✔A.Serum bicarbonate of 28 mEq/L
Evaluation of arterial blood gases reveals a pH greater than 7.45 and a serum bicarbonate concentration
greater than 26 mEq/L.
An elderly client takes 40 mg of furosemide twice a day. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most serious
adverse effect of diuretic use?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypophosphatemia - ✔✔B. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L) usually indicates a deficit in total potassium stores.
Potassium-losing diuretics, such as furosemide, can induce hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia refers to
increased potassium levels. Loop diuretics can bring about lower sodium levels, not hypernatremia.
Furosemide does not affect phosphorus levels.
Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center, located in which of the following cerebral areas?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Cerebellum
C. Brainstem
D. Thalamus - ✔✔A. Hypothalamus
Oral intake is controlled by the thirst center located in the hypothalamus. The thirst center is not located
in the cerebellum, brainstem, or thalamus.
The nurse is caring for an older adult client in the home setting who is experiencing decreased thirst.
Which type of fluid imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
A. Dehydration
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypervolemia
D. Third spacing - ✔✔A. Dehydration
The nurse should anticipate the presence of dehydration, which is the most common fluid imbalance in
older adult clients that results from decreased thirst. Hypovolemia is a condition in which only the blood
