NUR 320 Test #1 Questions
and Answers with 100%
Correct Answers Already
Graded A+
NUR 320 Exam 1 Practice Questions
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
1. An 82-year-old patient is admitted with pneumonia. The nurse monitors the
patient's intake and output carefully, knowing that the patient is at risk for fluid
and electrolyte imbalances primarily because:
A) Older adults are at an increased risk of impaired renal function
B) Older adults have an impaired level of consciousness and need to be reminded to
drink fluids
C) Older adults are more likely than younger adults to lose extracellular fluid during
severe illnesses
D) Small losses of fluid are more significant because body water accounts for only about
50% of body weight in older adults
ANSWER: D
,Rationale: In older adults, body water accounts for only about 50% of body weight
compared to 60% in younger adults. This means that even small losses of fluid are more
significant and can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances .
2. Which laboratory findings are consistent with the diagnosis of milk-alkali
syndrome?
A) Calcium levels of 7 mg/dL
B) Calcium levels of 15 mg/dL
C) Phosphate levels of 2 mg/dL
D) Phosphate levels of 17 mg/dL
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Milk-alkali syndrome is characterized by hypercalcemia. A calcium level of 15
mg/dL is significantly elevated and consistent with this diagnosis .
3. A patient's ECG tracing has a short QT interval and a high peaked T wave. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A) D5W with 20 mEq KCl to run at 125 mL/hr
B) 10 units regular insulin IVP and one-half ampule D50W IVP
C) 2 grams calcium gluconate intravenous (IV) administered over two minutes
D) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate 30 grams by mouth
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A short QT interval and peaked T waves are classic ECG signs of
hyperkalemia. Administering additional potassium (KCl) would worsen the condition and
could cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should question this order .
4. The nurse is preparing to administer intravenous (IV) potassium chloride (KCl)
to a patient. Which action should the nurse perform to ensure the patient's safety?
,A) Give KCl via IV push
B) Add KCl to the hanging IV bag
C) Give IV KCl in concentrated amounts
D) Invert IV bags containing KCl several times
ANSWER: D
Rationale: IV bags containing KCl must be inverted several times to ensure proper
mixing and distribution of the potassium throughout the solution. KCl should never be
given by IV push as it can cause cardiac arrest. It should not be added to hanging IV
bags due to risk of inadequate mixing .
5. Which patient electrolyte should the nurse respond to first?
A) Na+ 134
B) K+ 2.8
C) Ca+ 9.5
D) Mg+ 2.0
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which can
cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This requires immediate intervention. Normal
potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L .
6. A client has a calcium reading of 11 mg/dL. What does the nurse expect the
client's phosphorus reading to be?
A) 2 mg/dL
B) 3 mg/dL
C) 4 mg/dL
D) 5 mg/dL
ANSWER: A
, Rationale: Calcium and phosphorus have an inverse relationship. When calcium is
elevated (normal range 8.4-10.2 mg/dL), phosphorus will be low. A phosphorus level of
2 mg/dL is below the normal range of 3-4.5 mg/dL .
7. The client is being evaluated for a low calcium condition. The nurse knows to
recognize which clinical manifestations of low calcium? Select all that apply.
A) Tetany
B) Muscle flaccidity
C) Negative Trousseau's sign
D) Positive Chvostek's sign
E) Skeletal fractures
ANSWER: A, D, E
Rationale: Signs of low calcium include tetany, muscular irritability, positive Trousseau's
sign, positive Chvostek's sign, longer clotting times, and skeletal fractures. Muscle
flaccidity and negative Trousseau's sign are not associated with hypocalcemia .
8. Which action takes place when potassium (K+) levels are low in the body?
A) The kidneys increase excretion of K+
B) Antidiuretic hormone is released
C) Aldosterone secretion is suppressed
D) The liver releases stored K+ into the blood
ANSWER: C
Rationale: When potassium levels are low, aldosterone secretion is suppressed to
reduce potassium excretion by the kidneys. Aldosterone normally promotes sodium
reabsorption and potassium excretion .
Respiratory Care
and Answers with 100%
Correct Answers Already
Graded A+
NUR 320 Exam 1 Practice Questions
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
1. An 82-year-old patient is admitted with pneumonia. The nurse monitors the
patient's intake and output carefully, knowing that the patient is at risk for fluid
and electrolyte imbalances primarily because:
A) Older adults are at an increased risk of impaired renal function
B) Older adults have an impaired level of consciousness and need to be reminded to
drink fluids
C) Older adults are more likely than younger adults to lose extracellular fluid during
severe illnesses
D) Small losses of fluid are more significant because body water accounts for only about
50% of body weight in older adults
ANSWER: D
,Rationale: In older adults, body water accounts for only about 50% of body weight
compared to 60% in younger adults. This means that even small losses of fluid are more
significant and can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances .
2. Which laboratory findings are consistent with the diagnosis of milk-alkali
syndrome?
A) Calcium levels of 7 mg/dL
B) Calcium levels of 15 mg/dL
C) Phosphate levels of 2 mg/dL
D) Phosphate levels of 17 mg/dL
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Milk-alkali syndrome is characterized by hypercalcemia. A calcium level of 15
mg/dL is significantly elevated and consistent with this diagnosis .
3. A patient's ECG tracing has a short QT interval and a high peaked T wave. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A) D5W with 20 mEq KCl to run at 125 mL/hr
B) 10 units regular insulin IVP and one-half ampule D50W IVP
C) 2 grams calcium gluconate intravenous (IV) administered over two minutes
D) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate 30 grams by mouth
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A short QT interval and peaked T waves are classic ECG signs of
hyperkalemia. Administering additional potassium (KCl) would worsen the condition and
could cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should question this order .
4. The nurse is preparing to administer intravenous (IV) potassium chloride (KCl)
to a patient. Which action should the nurse perform to ensure the patient's safety?
,A) Give KCl via IV push
B) Add KCl to the hanging IV bag
C) Give IV KCl in concentrated amounts
D) Invert IV bags containing KCl several times
ANSWER: D
Rationale: IV bags containing KCl must be inverted several times to ensure proper
mixing and distribution of the potassium throughout the solution. KCl should never be
given by IV push as it can cause cardiac arrest. It should not be added to hanging IV
bags due to risk of inadequate mixing .
5. Which patient electrolyte should the nurse respond to first?
A) Na+ 134
B) K+ 2.8
C) Ca+ 9.5
D) Mg+ 2.0
ANSWER: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which can
cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This requires immediate intervention. Normal
potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L .
6. A client has a calcium reading of 11 mg/dL. What does the nurse expect the
client's phosphorus reading to be?
A) 2 mg/dL
B) 3 mg/dL
C) 4 mg/dL
D) 5 mg/dL
ANSWER: A
, Rationale: Calcium and phosphorus have an inverse relationship. When calcium is
elevated (normal range 8.4-10.2 mg/dL), phosphorus will be low. A phosphorus level of
2 mg/dL is below the normal range of 3-4.5 mg/dL .
7. The client is being evaluated for a low calcium condition. The nurse knows to
recognize which clinical manifestations of low calcium? Select all that apply.
A) Tetany
B) Muscle flaccidity
C) Negative Trousseau's sign
D) Positive Chvostek's sign
E) Skeletal fractures
ANSWER: A, D, E
Rationale: Signs of low calcium include tetany, muscular irritability, positive Trousseau's
sign, positive Chvostek's sign, longer clotting times, and skeletal fractures. Muscle
flaccidity and negative Trousseau's sign are not associated with hypocalcemia .
8. Which action takes place when potassium (K+) levels are low in the body?
A) The kidneys increase excretion of K+
B) Antidiuretic hormone is released
C) Aldosterone secretion is suppressed
D) The liver releases stored K+ into the blood
ANSWER: C
Rationale: When potassium levels are low, aldosterone secretion is suppressed to
reduce potassium excretion by the kidneys. Aldosterone normally promotes sodium
reabsorption and potassium excretion .
Respiratory Care
