BIO280 WEEK 1 FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES
FREQUENTLY TESTED ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1.
Which electrolyte would the nurse identify as the major electrolyte responsible for determining
fluid volume?
A. Potassium
B. Phosphate
C. Chloride
D. Sodium
ANSWER
D. Sodium
Rationale: Remember water follows sodium!
Question 2.
After obtaining an EKG on a patient you notice that the T wave is inverted. What electrolyte
imbalance would the nurse suspect?
A. Hypomagnesium
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
ANSWER
C. Hypokalemia
Question 3.
You are taking a client's blood pressure manually. As you pump up the cuff you notice that the
client develops a carpal spasm. Which of the following is true?
A. This is a normal nervous response to an
inflating blood pressure cuff
B. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypercalcemia
C. This is known as Chvostek's Sign and is
seen in clients with hypocalcemia
D. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypocalcemia
ANSWER
D. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypocalcemia
1
, Question 4.
Which client is at most risk for hypomagnesemia?
A. A client who is a chronic alcoholic
C. A client reporting overuse of antacids and
laxatives
D. A client with diabetes
ANSWER
A. A 55 year old chronic alcoholic
Question 5.
Which client is most at risk for fluid volume deficient? Select all that apply.
A. A client who has been vomiting and having diarrhea for 2 days.
B. A client with continuous nasogastric suction.
C. A client with an abdominal wound vac at
intermittent suction.
D. A client with heart failure
ANSWER
A. A client who has been vomiting and
having diarrhea for 2 days.
B. A client with continuous nasogastric
suction.
C. A client with an abdominal wound vac at
intermittent suction.
Question 6.
A client's lab work shows that they have a high parathyroid hormone level. Which of the
following conditions is the patient at risk for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
ANSWER
A. Hypercalcemia
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FREQUENTLY TESTED ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1.
Which electrolyte would the nurse identify as the major electrolyte responsible for determining
fluid volume?
A. Potassium
B. Phosphate
C. Chloride
D. Sodium
ANSWER
D. Sodium
Rationale: Remember water follows sodium!
Question 2.
After obtaining an EKG on a patient you notice that the T wave is inverted. What electrolyte
imbalance would the nurse suspect?
A. Hypomagnesium
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
ANSWER
C. Hypokalemia
Question 3.
You are taking a client's blood pressure manually. As you pump up the cuff you notice that the
client develops a carpal spasm. Which of the following is true?
A. This is a normal nervous response to an
inflating blood pressure cuff
B. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypercalcemia
C. This is known as Chvostek's Sign and is
seen in clients with hypocalcemia
D. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypocalcemia
ANSWER
D. This is known as Trousseau's Sign and is
present in clients with hypocalcemia
1
, Question 4.
Which client is at most risk for hypomagnesemia?
A. A client who is a chronic alcoholic
C. A client reporting overuse of antacids and
laxatives
D. A client with diabetes
ANSWER
A. A 55 year old chronic alcoholic
Question 5.
Which client is most at risk for fluid volume deficient? Select all that apply.
A. A client who has been vomiting and having diarrhea for 2 days.
B. A client with continuous nasogastric suction.
C. A client with an abdominal wound vac at
intermittent suction.
D. A client with heart failure
ANSWER
A. A client who has been vomiting and
having diarrhea for 2 days.
B. A client with continuous nasogastric
suction.
C. A client with an abdominal wound vac at
intermittent suction.
Question 6.
A client's lab work shows that they have a high parathyroid hormone level. Which of the
following conditions is the patient at risk for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
ANSWER
A. Hypercalcemia
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