NSG 100 Exam 4 | (2026) Nursing Concepts
Questions | Nursing Fundamentals (PDF)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration.
Which finding indicates severe fluid volume deficit?
A) Moist mucous membranes
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Bounding pulse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension (drop in BP with
position change) indicates significant intravascular volume
loss. Moist mucous membranes are normal. JVD and
bounding pulse suggest fluid overload.
Q2. A client has a serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L.
Which ECG change should the nurse expect?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
1
,C) Peaked T waves
D) Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0) causes peaked/tall
tented T waves. Flattened T waves and U waves occur in
hypokalemia.
Q3. Which IV fluid is most appropriate for a client with
increased intracranial pressure requiring volume
expansion?
A) 0.45% NaCl
B) 5% Dextrose in water
C) 3% NaCl
D) Lactated Ringer’s
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) draws fluid from
brain tissue into vasculature, reducing cerebral edema.
Hypotonic fluids would worsen edema.
2
,Q4. A client with heart failure has pitting edema +3 in
both legs. Which dietary modification is most important?
A) Increase potassium intake
B) Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
C) Increase protein intake
D) Restrict fluid to 1 L/day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium restriction reduces fluid retention. Fluid
restriction may be needed in severe HF but sodium is
primary.
Q5. A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Which item
should the nurse include?
A) Ice chips (record as half the volume)
B) IV tubing dead space
C) Gastric lavage output
D) Blood drawn for labs
3
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ice chips count as intake; record as ½ the
measured volume because it is solid ice.
Q6. Which laboratory value indicates hypovolemia?
A) BUN 8 mg/dL
B) BUN-to-creatinine ratio 25:1
C) Hematocrit 32%
D) Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated BUN/creatinine ratio (>20:1)
suggests prerenal azotemia from dehydration.
Q7. A client reports muscle cramps and paresthesias after
furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is likely?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypermagnesemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypernatremia
4
Questions | Nursing Fundamentals (PDF)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration.
Which finding indicates severe fluid volume deficit?
A) Moist mucous membranes
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Bounding pulse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension (drop in BP with
position change) indicates significant intravascular volume
loss. Moist mucous membranes are normal. JVD and
bounding pulse suggest fluid overload.
Q2. A client has a serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L.
Which ECG change should the nurse expect?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
1
,C) Peaked T waves
D) Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0) causes peaked/tall
tented T waves. Flattened T waves and U waves occur in
hypokalemia.
Q3. Which IV fluid is most appropriate for a client with
increased intracranial pressure requiring volume
expansion?
A) 0.45% NaCl
B) 5% Dextrose in water
C) 3% NaCl
D) Lactated Ringer’s
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) draws fluid from
brain tissue into vasculature, reducing cerebral edema.
Hypotonic fluids would worsen edema.
2
,Q4. A client with heart failure has pitting edema +3 in
both legs. Which dietary modification is most important?
A) Increase potassium intake
B) Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
C) Increase protein intake
D) Restrict fluid to 1 L/day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium restriction reduces fluid retention. Fluid
restriction may be needed in severe HF but sodium is
primary.
Q5. A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Which item
should the nurse include?
A) Ice chips (record as half the volume)
B) IV tubing dead space
C) Gastric lavage output
D) Blood drawn for labs
3
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ice chips count as intake; record as ½ the
measured volume because it is solid ice.
Q6. Which laboratory value indicates hypovolemia?
A) BUN 8 mg/dL
B) BUN-to-creatinine ratio 25:1
C) Hematocrit 32%
D) Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated BUN/creatinine ratio (>20:1)
suggests prerenal azotemia from dehydration.
Q7. A client reports muscle cramps and paresthesias after
furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is likely?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypermagnesemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypernatremia
4
