NUR355 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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CORE DOMAINS
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disorders
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Perioperative and Emergency Nursing
Infection, Immunity, and Oncology
Professionalism, Safety, and Patient Education
INTRODUCTION
The NUR355 Exam 2 assessment evaluates a nursing student's
comprehensive understanding of adult health alterations, clinical
decision-making, and safe patient-centered care. This examination
measures foundational theory and applied professional knowledge
through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Students
must demonstrate proficiency in assessing cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and
perioperative conditions while applying evidence-based
interventions. The examination emphasizes real-world clinical
judgment, prioritization, medication safety, regulatory compliance,
ethical practice, and effective communication. Success requires
integration of pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing process, and
professional standards to promote optimal patient outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which ECG
change is most consistent with this finding?
A. Flattened T waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves and
widened QRS complexes due to altered cardiac repolarization.
Question 2
A patient receiving furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Loop diuretics such as furosemide increase
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia with muscle cramps
and weakness.
Question 3
A patient with severe vomiting has an arterial blood gas showing
pH 7.48, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, and HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which acid-base
imbalance is present?
,A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The elevated pH and elevated bicarbonate
indicate metabolic alkalosis, commonly caused by loss of gastric
acid.
Question 4
A patient with an opioid overdose is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Opioid overdose causes hypoventilation and
carbon dioxide retention, leading to respiratory acidosis.
Question 5
Which finding is an early sign of fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Decreased urine output
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Jugular venous distention
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased urine output is an early compensatory
sign of fluid volume deficit as the kidneys conserve water.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed intravenous potassium chloride. Which
nursing action is essential?
A. Administer by rapid IV push
B. Dilute and infuse via pump at a controlled rate
C. Give undiluted via peripheral IV
D. Administer only after meals
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must be diluted and infused at a
controlled rate because rapid administration can cause fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient with heart failure has bilateral crackles, jugular venous
distention, and weight gain. Which problem is the priority?
A. Impaired skin integrity
B. Risk for infection
C. Excess fluid volume
D. Imbalanced nutrition
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Crackles, jugular venous distention, and weight
gain indicate excess fluid volume requiring diuresis and fluid
restriction.
Question 8
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disorders
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Perioperative and Emergency Nursing
Infection, Immunity, and Oncology
Professionalism, Safety, and Patient Education
INTRODUCTION
The NUR355 Exam 2 assessment evaluates a nursing student's
comprehensive understanding of adult health alterations, clinical
decision-making, and safe patient-centered care. This examination
measures foundational theory and applied professional knowledge
through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Students
must demonstrate proficiency in assessing cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and
perioperative conditions while applying evidence-based
interventions. The examination emphasizes real-world clinical
judgment, prioritization, medication safety, regulatory compliance,
ethical practice, and effective communication. Success requires
integration of pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing process, and
professional standards to promote optimal patient outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which ECG
change is most consistent with this finding?
A. Flattened T waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves and
widened QRS complexes due to altered cardiac repolarization.
Question 2
A patient receiving furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Loop diuretics such as furosemide increase
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia with muscle cramps
and weakness.
Question 3
A patient with severe vomiting has an arterial blood gas showing
pH 7.48, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, and HCO3 30 mEq/L. Which acid-base
imbalance is present?
,A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The elevated pH and elevated bicarbonate
indicate metabolic alkalosis, commonly caused by loss of gastric
acid.
Question 4
A patient with an opioid overdose is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Opioid overdose causes hypoventilation and
carbon dioxide retention, leading to respiratory acidosis.
Question 5
Which finding is an early sign of fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Decreased urine output
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Jugular venous distention
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased urine output is an early compensatory
sign of fluid volume deficit as the kidneys conserve water.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed intravenous potassium chloride. Which
nursing action is essential?
A. Administer by rapid IV push
B. Dilute and infuse via pump at a controlled rate
C. Give undiluted via peripheral IV
D. Administer only after meals
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must be diluted and infused at a
controlled rate because rapid administration can cause fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient with heart failure has bilateral crackles, jugular venous
distention, and weight gain. Which problem is the priority?
A. Impaired skin integrity
B. Risk for infection
C. Excess fluid volume
D. Imbalanced nutrition
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Crackles, jugular venous distention, and weight
gain indicate excess fluid volume requiring diuresis and fluid
restriction.
Question 8
