Nursing 354 Renal Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which laboratory value is the most specific indicator of kidney function?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a key indicator of glomerular filtration and is
commonly used to assess renal function.
2. Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell
production?
A. Renin
B. Erythropoietin
C. Aldosterone
D. Antidiuretic hormone
Answer: Erythropoietin
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells.
, 3. A patient with chronic kidney disease is most likely to develop which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Impaired renal potassium excretion can cause potassium retention
and potentially life-threatening hyperkalemia.
4. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with severe
hyperkalemia?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry skin
Answer: Cardiac dysrhythmias
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can interfere with cardiac conduction and cause
potentially fatal dysrhythmias.
5. Which urine output indicates oliguria in an adult?
A. 2,000 mL/day
B. 1,500 mL/day
C. 800 mL/day
D. 300 mL/day
Answer: 300 mL/day
Rationale: Oliguria is generally defined as urine output of less than
approximately 400 mL/day in an adult.
6. Which condition is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury?
,A. Renal calculi
B. Severe dehydration
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Acute tubular necrosis
Answer: Severe dehydration
Rationale: Prerenal kidney injury results from decreased renal perfusion,
commonly caused by hypovolemia such as severe dehydration.
7. Which finding is expected in a patient with fluid volume excess caused by
renal failure?
A. Hypotension
B. Weight loss
C. Peripheral edema
D. Dry mucous membranes
Answer: Peripheral edema
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of sodium and water causes fluid retention,
which may produce edema, hypertension, and weight gain.
8. Which diet modification is commonly recommended for a patient with
advanced chronic kidney disease?
A. Increased sodium intake
B. Increased potassium intake
C. Appropriate restriction of sodium and phosphorus
D. Unlimited fluid intake
Answer: Appropriate restriction of sodium and phosphorus
Rationale: Sodium restriction helps control fluid retention and blood pressure,
while phosphorus restriction helps reduce complications of chronic kidney
disease.
9. Which assessment finding is characteristic of nephrotic syndrome?
, A. Heavy proteinuria
B. Severe hemoptysis
C. Increased urine concentration only
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: Heavy proteinuria
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by significant proteinuria,
hypoalbuminemia, edema, and often hyperlipidemia.
10.Which symptom is commonly associated with uremia?
A. Increased energy
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive appetite
D. Bradycardia without other findings
Answer: Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in advanced renal
failure can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pruritus, and altered mental status.
11.Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in a patient
with renal failure receiving potassium-containing medications?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Platelets
D. Amylase
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Renal impairment decreases potassium excretion, increasing the risk
of hyperkalemia.
12.A patient with chronic kidney disease reports severe itching. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage hot showers
B. Apply emollient moisturizer
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which laboratory value is the most specific indicator of kidney function?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a key indicator of glomerular filtration and is
commonly used to assess renal function.
2. Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell
production?
A. Renin
B. Erythropoietin
C. Aldosterone
D. Antidiuretic hormone
Answer: Erythropoietin
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells.
, 3. A patient with chronic kidney disease is most likely to develop which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Impaired renal potassium excretion can cause potassium retention
and potentially life-threatening hyperkalemia.
4. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with severe
hyperkalemia?
A. Muscle cramps
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry skin
Answer: Cardiac dysrhythmias
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can interfere with cardiac conduction and cause
potentially fatal dysrhythmias.
5. Which urine output indicates oliguria in an adult?
A. 2,000 mL/day
B. 1,500 mL/day
C. 800 mL/day
D. 300 mL/day
Answer: 300 mL/day
Rationale: Oliguria is generally defined as urine output of less than
approximately 400 mL/day in an adult.
6. Which condition is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury?
,A. Renal calculi
B. Severe dehydration
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Acute tubular necrosis
Answer: Severe dehydration
Rationale: Prerenal kidney injury results from decreased renal perfusion,
commonly caused by hypovolemia such as severe dehydration.
7. Which finding is expected in a patient with fluid volume excess caused by
renal failure?
A. Hypotension
B. Weight loss
C. Peripheral edema
D. Dry mucous membranes
Answer: Peripheral edema
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of sodium and water causes fluid retention,
which may produce edema, hypertension, and weight gain.
8. Which diet modification is commonly recommended for a patient with
advanced chronic kidney disease?
A. Increased sodium intake
B. Increased potassium intake
C. Appropriate restriction of sodium and phosphorus
D. Unlimited fluid intake
Answer: Appropriate restriction of sodium and phosphorus
Rationale: Sodium restriction helps control fluid retention and blood pressure,
while phosphorus restriction helps reduce complications of chronic kidney
disease.
9. Which assessment finding is characteristic of nephrotic syndrome?
, A. Heavy proteinuria
B. Severe hemoptysis
C. Increased urine concentration only
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: Heavy proteinuria
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by significant proteinuria,
hypoalbuminemia, edema, and often hyperlipidemia.
10.Which symptom is commonly associated with uremia?
A. Increased energy
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive appetite
D. Bradycardia without other findings
Answer: Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in advanced renal
failure can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pruritus, and altered mental status.
11.Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in a patient
with renal failure receiving potassium-containing medications?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Platelets
D. Amylase
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Renal impairment decreases potassium excretion, increasing the risk
of hyperkalemia.
12.A patient with chronic kidney disease reports severe itching. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage hot showers
B. Apply emollient moisturizer
