ATI Medical-Surgical Fluid and Electrolytes
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
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Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Bilateral crackles
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Jugular venous distention
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs when circulating
blood volume is insufficient to maintain blood pressure when
the client changes position. Fluid volume deficit can also cause
tachycardia, decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes,
poor skin turgor, concentrated urine, and weight loss. Bounding
pulses, crackles, and jugular venous distention are more
consistent with fluid volume excess.
Question 2
Which electrolyte is the major extracellular cation?
,A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Sodium
Rationale: Sodium is the major cation in extracellular fluid and
plays a major role in regulating extracellular fluid volume and
osmolality. Potassium is the predominant intracellular cation.
Because sodium and water balance are closely related,
significant sodium abnormalities can produce neurologic and
fluid-volume manifestations.
Question 3
A client has a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperactive deep-tendon reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe muscle rigidity
Rationale: Hypokalemia can impair neuromuscular function,
producing weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and potentially
decreased bowel motility. Cardiac dysrhythmias are a major
concern because potassium is essential for normal cardiac
electrical activity. Peaked T waves are classically associated with
hyperkalemia rather than hypokalemia.
,Question 4
A client has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which action is the
priority?
A. Encourage foods high in potassium
B. Administer potassium chloride
C. Place the client on cardiac monitoring
D. Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Significant hyperkalemia can cause potentially fatal
cardiac conduction abnormalities. Continuous cardiac
monitoring allows the nurse to identify dysrhythmias promptly
while prescribed therapies are initiated. Potassium
supplementation would worsen the condition and should not be
given when serum potassium is elevated unless specifically
indicated for another reason.
Question 5
Which electrocardiographic change is commonly associated
with hyperkalemia?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Peaked T waves
D. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can initially produce tall, peaked T
waves and, as potassium levels become more severe, can
, progress to conduction slowing, widened QRS complexes,
ventricular dysrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. The ECG findings
can evolve as the potassium concentration increases.
Question 6
A client receiving furosemide has a potassium level of 3.1
mEq/L. Which finding requires the nurse's greatest concern?
A. Increased thirst
B. Mild nausea
C. Irregular cardiac rhythm
D. Dry oral mucosa
Rationale: Furosemide promotes urinary fluid and electrolyte
loss and can contribute to hypokalemia. A low potassium level
can interfere with cardiac conduction and increase the risk for
dysrhythmias. An irregular cardiac rhythm therefore represents
a potentially life-threatening complication requiring prompt
assessment and intervention.
Question 7
A client has a serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Seizure activity
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased bowel sounds
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
.
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Bilateral crackles
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Jugular venous distention
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs when circulating
blood volume is insufficient to maintain blood pressure when
the client changes position. Fluid volume deficit can also cause
tachycardia, decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes,
poor skin turgor, concentrated urine, and weight loss. Bounding
pulses, crackles, and jugular venous distention are more
consistent with fluid volume excess.
Question 2
Which electrolyte is the major extracellular cation?
,A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Magnesium
D. Sodium
Rationale: Sodium is the major cation in extracellular fluid and
plays a major role in regulating extracellular fluid volume and
osmolality. Potassium is the predominant intracellular cation.
Because sodium and water balance are closely related,
significant sodium abnormalities can produce neurologic and
fluid-volume manifestations.
Question 3
A client has a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperactive deep-tendon reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe muscle rigidity
Rationale: Hypokalemia can impair neuromuscular function,
producing weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and potentially
decreased bowel motility. Cardiac dysrhythmias are a major
concern because potassium is essential for normal cardiac
electrical activity. Peaked T waves are classically associated with
hyperkalemia rather than hypokalemia.
,Question 4
A client has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which action is the
priority?
A. Encourage foods high in potassium
B. Administer potassium chloride
C. Place the client on cardiac monitoring
D. Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Significant hyperkalemia can cause potentially fatal
cardiac conduction abnormalities. Continuous cardiac
monitoring allows the nurse to identify dysrhythmias promptly
while prescribed therapies are initiated. Potassium
supplementation would worsen the condition and should not be
given when serum potassium is elevated unless specifically
indicated for another reason.
Question 5
Which electrocardiographic change is commonly associated
with hyperkalemia?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Peaked T waves
D. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can initially produce tall, peaked T
waves and, as potassium levels become more severe, can
, progress to conduction slowing, widened QRS complexes,
ventricular dysrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. The ECG findings
can evolve as the potassium concentration increases.
Question 6
A client receiving furosemide has a potassium level of 3.1
mEq/L. Which finding requires the nurse's greatest concern?
A. Increased thirst
B. Mild nausea
C. Irregular cardiac rhythm
D. Dry oral mucosa
Rationale: Furosemide promotes urinary fluid and electrolyte
loss and can contribute to hypokalemia. A low potassium level
can interfere with cardiac conduction and increase the risk for
dysrhythmias. An irregular cardiac rhythm therefore represents
a potentially life-threatening complication requiring prompt
assessment and intervention.
Question 7
A client has a serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Seizure activity
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased bowel sounds
