UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
115 mEq/L - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse should assess the patient for signs of
lethargy, increasing intracranial pressure, and seizures when the serum sodium reaches what
level?
800 - CORRECT ANSWER - In a patient with excess fluid volume, hyponatremia is
treated by restricting fluids to how many milliliters in 24 hours?
155 mEq/L - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient who is semiconscious presents with
restlessness and weakness. The nurse assesses a dry, swollen tongue and a body temperature of
99.3. The urine specific gravity is 1.020. What is most likely the serum sodium value for this
patient?
275 to 300 mOsm/kg - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient's serum sodium concentration is
within the normal range. What should the nurse estimate the serum osmolality to be?
A patient with kidney failure - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is reviewing the
laboratory studies for a group of patients. Which patient is most likely to experience a decrease
in serum osmolality?
Acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse notes that a patient's urine osmolality is 980
mOsm/kg. What should the nurse assess as a possible cause of this finding?
Serum creatinine - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is reviewing the laboratory studies
for a patient suspected of acute kidney injury. What test would be the best indicator of the
patient's renal function?
Oliguria; Tachycardia; Tachypnea - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient has been involved
in a traumatic accident and is hemorrhaging from multiple sites. The nurse expects that the
, compensatory mechanisms associated with hypovolemia would cause what clinical
manifestations?
Hematocrit level of >47%; Urine specific gravity of 1.027; Urine osmolality of >450 mOsm/kg -
CORRECT ANSWER - What laboratory findings does the nurse determine are consistent
with hypovolemia in a female patient?
Hydrochlorothiazide - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient with mild fluid volume excess is
prescribed a diuretic that blocks sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule. Which diuretic does the
nurse anticipate administering to this patient?
Assessing for symptoms of nausea and malaise; Monitoring neurologic status; Restricting tap
water intake - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of
hyponatremia. What nursing interventions are appropriate to incline in the plan of care for this
patient?
One beef cube and 8 oz of tomato juice - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient with abnormal
sodium losses is receiving a regular diet. How can the nurse supplement that patient's diet to
provide 1600 mg of sodium daily?
Cerebral edema - CORRECT ANSWER - The nurse is caring for a patient with
hypernatremia. What complication of hypernatremia should the nurse continuously monitor for?
0.45% sodium chloride - CORRECT ANSWER - The healthcare provider has prescribed a
hypotonic IV solution for a patient. Which IV solution should the nurse administer?
2.0 mEq/L - CORRECT ANSWER - A patient is admitted with severe vomiting for 24
hours as well as weakness and "feeling exhausted." The nurse observes flat T waves and ST-
segment depression on the electrocardiogram. Which potassium level does the nurse observe
when the laboratory studies are complete?
Fruits such as bananas and apricots - CORRECT ANSWER - What foods can the nurse
recommend for the patient with hypokalemia?