NUR 155
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
NUR 155 Exam 3 | Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing Foundations & Med-Surg Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NUR 155 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study Guide D | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NUR 155 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study Guide D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base
imbalance is this patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale
A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the
normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
When assessing a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L, which clinical finding is the priority for the nurse
to monitor?
A. Increased bowel sounds
B. Cardiac rhythm changes
C. Muscle weakness
D. Numbness in extremities
Answer: B
Rationale
Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, including peaked T waves and cardiac arrest. This
is the highest priority assessment. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices
often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression. Which electrolyte imbalance is this
patient at highest risk for developing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale
Gastric secretions are rich in potassium. Continuous NG suctioning removes these secretions, leading to hypokalemia.
Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common
misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
NUR 155 Exam 3 | Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Nursing Foundations & Med-Surg Standards
Galen College of Nursing
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NUR 155 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study Guide D | 2026/2027
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions. Each item includes the correct answer
and an expanded rationale explaining the underlying principle, why the correct option is preferred, and why distractors are
incorrect. Study tip: Attempt each question before reading the answer, then carefully review the rationale.
Page 2
, NUR 155 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Comprehensive Study Guide D | 2026/2027
Question 1
A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base
imbalance is this patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale
A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the
normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary
process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
When assessing a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L, which clinical finding is the priority for the nurse
to monitor?
A. Increased bowel sounds
B. Cardiac rhythm changes
C. Muscle weakness
D. Numbness in extremities
Answer: B
Rationale
Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, including peaked T waves and cardiac arrest. This
is the highest priority assessment. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices
often reflect common misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression. Which electrolyte imbalance is this
patient at highest risk for developing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale
Gastric secretions are rich in potassium. Continuous NG suctioning removes these secretions, leading to hypokalemia.
Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common
misconceptions. Always link assessment findings to the primary process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
