NSG 300 Exam 3 (PDF) | (2026/2027) |
Foundations of Nursing | Grand Canyon
University 200+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which
finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Jugular vein distension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C) Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a sign of dehydration. Bounding
pulse, JVD, and edema are signs of fluid overload.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
D) Crackles in lung bases
Answer: C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
,Rationale: In dehydration, urine specific gravity is elevated (>1.025)
due to concentrated urine. Weight loss, hypotension, and tachycardia are
also expected.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of fluid volume excess.
Which finding is most consistent with fluid overload?
A) Thready pulse
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Poor skin turgor
Answer: C) Jugular vein distension
Rationale: Jugular vein distension (JVD) indicates increased central
venous pressure from fluid overload. Other signs include edema,
crackles, and hypertension.
4. The nurse is calculating a patient’s intake and output. Which fluid
should be included as intake?
A) IV fluids
B) Oral fluids
C) Tube feedings
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Intake includes all fluids that enter the body: oral, IV, tube
feedings, and irrigations (if absorbed).
,5. The nurse is monitoring a patient’s daily weight. A weight gain of
how many pounds in 24 hours may indicate fluid retention?
A) 0.5 lb
B) 1 lb
C) 2 lb
D) 4 lb
Answer: C) 1 lb
Rationale: A weight gain of 2–3 lb in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week
indicates significant fluid retention (1 L of fluid weighs approximately
2.2 lb).
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with hyponatremia (sodium 125
mEq/L). Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Thirst
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Confusion and lethargy
D) Hyperreflexia
Answer: C) Confusion and lethargy
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes neurological symptoms due to cerebral
edema, including confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Thirst and dry
mucous membranes occur with hypernatremia.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia (sodium 155
mEq/L). Which finding would the nurse expect?
, A) Lethargy
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, leading to
intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, and neurological symptoms such
as agitation and seizures.
Important point
B is the best answer because it is the most characteristic finding of
hypernatremia. Lethargy can also occur in severe hypernatremia, but
the question asks for the finding most specifically associated with the
condition, making B the intended answer.
7. A client with dehydration is receiving IV fluids. Which finding best
indicates that fluid replacement is effective?
A. Urine output increases to 35 mL/hr
B. Heart rate increases from 88 to 110/min
C. Blood pressure decreases from 118/76 to 96/60 mm Hg
D. Urine becomes darker and more concentrated
Correct Answer: A. Urine output increases to 35 mL/hr
Rationale: Increasing urine output indicates improved renal perfusion
and restoration of circulating fluid volume. An adult urine output of
approximately 30 mL/hr or more generally indicates adequate renal
perfusion.
Foundations of Nursing | Grand Canyon
University 200+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which
finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Jugular vein distension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C) Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a sign of dehydration. Bounding
pulse, JVD, and edema are signs of fluid overload.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
D) Crackles in lung bases
Answer: C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
,Rationale: In dehydration, urine specific gravity is elevated (>1.025)
due to concentrated urine. Weight loss, hypotension, and tachycardia are
also expected.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of fluid volume excess.
Which finding is most consistent with fluid overload?
A) Thready pulse
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Poor skin turgor
Answer: C) Jugular vein distension
Rationale: Jugular vein distension (JVD) indicates increased central
venous pressure from fluid overload. Other signs include edema,
crackles, and hypertension.
4. The nurse is calculating a patient’s intake and output. Which fluid
should be included as intake?
A) IV fluids
B) Oral fluids
C) Tube feedings
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Intake includes all fluids that enter the body: oral, IV, tube
feedings, and irrigations (if absorbed).
,5. The nurse is monitoring a patient’s daily weight. A weight gain of
how many pounds in 24 hours may indicate fluid retention?
A) 0.5 lb
B) 1 lb
C) 2 lb
D) 4 lb
Answer: C) 1 lb
Rationale: A weight gain of 2–3 lb in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week
indicates significant fluid retention (1 L of fluid weighs approximately
2.2 lb).
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with hyponatremia (sodium 125
mEq/L). Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Thirst
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Confusion and lethargy
D) Hyperreflexia
Answer: C) Confusion and lethargy
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes neurological symptoms due to cerebral
edema, including confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Thirst and dry
mucous membranes occur with hypernatremia.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia (sodium 155
mEq/L). Which finding would the nurse expect?
, A) Lethargy
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, leading to
intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, and neurological symptoms such
as agitation and seizures.
Important point
B is the best answer because it is the most characteristic finding of
hypernatremia. Lethargy can also occur in severe hypernatremia, but
the question asks for the finding most specifically associated with the
condition, making B the intended answer.
7. A client with dehydration is receiving IV fluids. Which finding best
indicates that fluid replacement is effective?
A. Urine output increases to 35 mL/hr
B. Heart rate increases from 88 to 110/min
C. Blood pressure decreases from 118/76 to 96/60 mm Hg
D. Urine becomes darker and more concentrated
Correct Answer: A. Urine output increases to 35 mL/hr
Rationale: Increasing urine output indicates improved renal perfusion
and restoration of circulating fluid volume. An adult urine output of
approximately 30 mL/hr or more generally indicates adequate renal
perfusion.
