NSG 252 - Fluid and Electrolytes
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
A 91-year-old client, who is being prepared for discharge, has been prescribed the
diuretic spironolactone. While teaching the client about the drug, what major adverse
effect should the nurse be sure to mention?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Angina
D) Hypertension ✅B) Hyperkalemia
The nurse is reviewing the potassium level of a patient with kidney disease. The results
of the test are 6.5 mEq/L, and the nurse observes peaked T waves on the ECG. What
priority intervention does the nurse anticipate the physician will order to reduce the
potassium level?
A) Administration of an insulin drip
B) Administration of a loop diuretic
C) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
D) Administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate [Kayexalate] ✅D) Administration of
sodium polystyrene sulfonate [Kayexalate]
The nurse has identified a collaborative problem of Risk for Complications of Electrolyte
Imbalance for a client with diarrhea. The client begins to exhibit a decrease in level of
consciousness. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Notify the health care provider for additional orders.
B) Document the client's level of consciousness.
C) Consult with another nurse to validate the assessment.
D) Decrease stimulation and allow the client to rest. ✅A) Notify the health care
provider for additional orders.
When describing the functions of the kidney to a client, which of the following would the
nurse include?
A) Regulation of white blood cell production
B) Synthesis of vitamin K
C) Control of water balance
D) Secretion of enzymes ✅C) Control of water balance
The health care provider has ordered a urinalysis for a normally healthy client admitted
to the hospital with dehydration. The client has been vomiting for the past 3 days and
has had minimal oral intake. Upon analysis of the results, the urine specific gravity
reflects:
A) 1.040
B) 1.001
C) 1.010
, D) 1.025 ✅A) 1.040
A client is prescribed digitalis medication. Which condition should the nurse closely
monitor when caring for the client?
A) Vasculitis
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Flexion contractures
D) Enlargement of joints ✅B) Nausea and vomiting
When the nurse notes that, after cardiac surgery, the client demonstrates low urine
output (less than 25 mL/h) with high specific gravity (greater than 1.025), the nurse
suspects which condition?
A) Inadequate fluid volume
B) Normal glomerular filtration
C) Overhydration
D) Anuria ✅A) Inadequate fluid volume
A client receiving peritoneal dialysis in the home is suspected of having peritonitis.
Which finding should the nurse expect to assess in this client? Select all that apply.
A) weight loss
B) hypotension
C) extreme thirst
D) abdominal pain
E) rebound tenderness ✅B) hypotension
D) abdominal pain
E) rebound tenderness
A client with a diagnosis of chronic renal failure secondary to diabetes has seen a
gradual increase in her blood pressure over the past several months, culminating in a
diagnosis of secondary hypertension. Which factor has most likely resulted in the
client's increased blood pressure?
A) Coarctation of the aorta
B) Increased levels of adrenocortical hormones
C) Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism
D) Increased sympathetic stimulation by the autonomic nervous system ✅C) Activation
of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism
The nurse is caring for a client who has produced an average of 20 mL/hour for the
previous day. The nurse recognizes this compares in which way to the normal urine
output?
A) This represents normal urinary output for 24 hours.
B) The kidneys should produce about 1.5 L of urine each day.
C) The kidneys should produce a minimum of 10 mL/hr over one day.
D) The normal kidney produces an average 3000 mL of urine daily. ✅B) The kidneys
should produce about 1.5 L of urine each day.
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
A 91-year-old client, who is being prepared for discharge, has been prescribed the
diuretic spironolactone. While teaching the client about the drug, what major adverse
effect should the nurse be sure to mention?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Angina
D) Hypertension ✅B) Hyperkalemia
The nurse is reviewing the potassium level of a patient with kidney disease. The results
of the test are 6.5 mEq/L, and the nurse observes peaked T waves on the ECG. What
priority intervention does the nurse anticipate the physician will order to reduce the
potassium level?
A) Administration of an insulin drip
B) Administration of a loop diuretic
C) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
D) Administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate [Kayexalate] ✅D) Administration of
sodium polystyrene sulfonate [Kayexalate]
The nurse has identified a collaborative problem of Risk for Complications of Electrolyte
Imbalance for a client with diarrhea. The client begins to exhibit a decrease in level of
consciousness. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Notify the health care provider for additional orders.
B) Document the client's level of consciousness.
C) Consult with another nurse to validate the assessment.
D) Decrease stimulation and allow the client to rest. ✅A) Notify the health care
provider for additional orders.
When describing the functions of the kidney to a client, which of the following would the
nurse include?
A) Regulation of white blood cell production
B) Synthesis of vitamin K
C) Control of water balance
D) Secretion of enzymes ✅C) Control of water balance
The health care provider has ordered a urinalysis for a normally healthy client admitted
to the hospital with dehydration. The client has been vomiting for the past 3 days and
has had minimal oral intake. Upon analysis of the results, the urine specific gravity
reflects:
A) 1.040
B) 1.001
C) 1.010
, D) 1.025 ✅A) 1.040
A client is prescribed digitalis medication. Which condition should the nurse closely
monitor when caring for the client?
A) Vasculitis
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Flexion contractures
D) Enlargement of joints ✅B) Nausea and vomiting
When the nurse notes that, after cardiac surgery, the client demonstrates low urine
output (less than 25 mL/h) with high specific gravity (greater than 1.025), the nurse
suspects which condition?
A) Inadequate fluid volume
B) Normal glomerular filtration
C) Overhydration
D) Anuria ✅A) Inadequate fluid volume
A client receiving peritoneal dialysis in the home is suspected of having peritonitis.
Which finding should the nurse expect to assess in this client? Select all that apply.
A) weight loss
B) hypotension
C) extreme thirst
D) abdominal pain
E) rebound tenderness ✅B) hypotension
D) abdominal pain
E) rebound tenderness
A client with a diagnosis of chronic renal failure secondary to diabetes has seen a
gradual increase in her blood pressure over the past several months, culminating in a
diagnosis of secondary hypertension. Which factor has most likely resulted in the
client's increased blood pressure?
A) Coarctation of the aorta
B) Increased levels of adrenocortical hormones
C) Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism
D) Increased sympathetic stimulation by the autonomic nervous system ✅C) Activation
of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism
The nurse is caring for a client who has produced an average of 20 mL/hour for the
previous day. The nurse recognizes this compares in which way to the normal urine
output?
A) This represents normal urinary output for 24 hours.
B) The kidneys should produce about 1.5 L of urine each day.
C) The kidneys should produce a minimum of 10 mL/hr over one day.
D) The normal kidney produces an average 3000 mL of urine daily. ✅B) The kidneys
should produce about 1.5 L of urine each day.
