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Hondros NUR 160 Exam 2 – Comprehensive Practice Exam
Fundamental Concepts of Practical Nursing II
2026/2027 Newest Edition
100 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Part 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances (Questions 1–25)
1. A patient is hypokalemic. Before administering Lasix (furosemide), the PN should:
A. Administer the medication and monitor for improvement
B. Report to the RN before giving the medication
C. Hold the medication and document the refusal
D. Give the medication with a potassium supplement
Answer: B
Rationale: Lasix is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Giving it to a patient who is already
hypokalemic can dangerously worsen the potassium deficit. The PN must report the low
potassium level to the RN before administering the medication.
2. Which conditions are causes of hypervolemia? (Select all that apply)
A. Chronic kidney disease
B. Cirrhosis
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Vomiting
E. Increased salt intake
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Hypervolemia (fluid volume excess) is caused by conditions that retain sodium
and water: CKD, liver disease/cirrhosis, CHF, COPD, and increased salt intake. Vomiting
causes hypovolemia (fluid loss).
3. What is the most accurate assessment of a patient's water balance?
A. Intake and output records
B. Daily weights in similar clothing, same scale, same time
C. Monitoring skin turgor
D. Checking for edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weights are the most accurate indicator of fluid balance. Weights should be
taken in similar clothing, on the same scale, at the same time each day. A change of ±2 lbs
per day or ±5 lbs per week is significant.
4. A patient has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which signs and symptoms would the PN
expect?
, 2
A. Muscle cramps and constipation
B. Muscle fatigue, weakness, and arrhythmias
C. Decreased urinary output and flushed skin
D. Chvostek's sign and tetany
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0 mEq/L) causes muscle fatigue, weakness, arrhythmias,
irritability, nausea, and potentially death. Muscle cramps and constipation are signs of
hypokalemia.
5. A patient with renal failure should follow which dietary restriction?
A. Low sodium, high potassium
B. Low potassium, low sodium
C. High potassium, high protein
D. High sodium, low potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with renal failure need a low-potassium diet (avoid potatoes, oranges,
bananas, leafy greens, avocados) and low sodium. The kidneys cannot effectively excrete
potassium.
6. What is the normal range for serum sodium?
A. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
B. 135–145 mEq/L
C. 8.0–10.0 mg/dL
D. 1.5–2.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal serum sodium is 135–145 mEq/L. Sodium is the major extracellular cation
and is critical for fluid balance.
7. A patient has firm, rubbery skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and agitation. These
are signs of:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypernatremia (Na+ >145 mEq/L) causes decreased urinary output, firm rubbery
tissue turgor, restlessness, agitation, confusion, and flushed skin.
8. Which patient population is most at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
, 3
A. Middle-aged adults
B. Infants and geriatrics
C. Teenagers
D. Pregnant women
Answer: B
Rationale: Infants have a higher percentage of body water and immature kidney function.
Older adults have decreased thirst sensation, decreased renal function, and altered body
composition, making both populations highly vulnerable.
9. A patient is experiencing vomiting and excessive sweating. The PN should assess for
which fluid imbalance?
A. Hypervolemia
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Vomiting and excessive sweating cause fluid loss, leading to hypovolemia. Other
causes include diarrhea, fever, heat exposure, exercise without water access, and skin
injuries.
10. What is the normal range for serum potassium?
A. 135–145 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.0–10.0 mg/dL
D. 22–26 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the major intracellular
cation and is critical for cardiac and neuromuscular function.
11. A patient with metabolic alkalosis is most likely experiencing which cause?
A. Diarrhea
B. Gastric suctioning or vomiting
C. Renal failure
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis is caused by loss of gastric acid through vomiting or NG
suction. Diarrhea and DKA cause metabolic acidosis.
12. A patient has a calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL. Which assessment finding is consistent with
this value?
Hondros NUR 160 Exam 2 – Comprehensive Practice Exam
Fundamental Concepts of Practical Nursing II
2026/2027 Newest Edition
100 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Part 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances (Questions 1–25)
1. A patient is hypokalemic. Before administering Lasix (furosemide), the PN should:
A. Administer the medication and monitor for improvement
B. Report to the RN before giving the medication
C. Hold the medication and document the refusal
D. Give the medication with a potassium supplement
Answer: B
Rationale: Lasix is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Giving it to a patient who is already
hypokalemic can dangerously worsen the potassium deficit. The PN must report the low
potassium level to the RN before administering the medication.
2. Which conditions are causes of hypervolemia? (Select all that apply)
A. Chronic kidney disease
B. Cirrhosis
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Vomiting
E. Increased salt intake
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Hypervolemia (fluid volume excess) is caused by conditions that retain sodium
and water: CKD, liver disease/cirrhosis, CHF, COPD, and increased salt intake. Vomiting
causes hypovolemia (fluid loss).
3. What is the most accurate assessment of a patient's water balance?
A. Intake and output records
B. Daily weights in similar clothing, same scale, same time
C. Monitoring skin turgor
D. Checking for edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weights are the most accurate indicator of fluid balance. Weights should be
taken in similar clothing, on the same scale, at the same time each day. A change of ±2 lbs
per day or ±5 lbs per week is significant.
4. A patient has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which signs and symptoms would the PN
expect?
, 2
A. Muscle cramps and constipation
B. Muscle fatigue, weakness, and arrhythmias
C. Decreased urinary output and flushed skin
D. Chvostek's sign and tetany
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0 mEq/L) causes muscle fatigue, weakness, arrhythmias,
irritability, nausea, and potentially death. Muscle cramps and constipation are signs of
hypokalemia.
5. A patient with renal failure should follow which dietary restriction?
A. Low sodium, high potassium
B. Low potassium, low sodium
C. High potassium, high protein
D. High sodium, low potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with renal failure need a low-potassium diet (avoid potatoes, oranges,
bananas, leafy greens, avocados) and low sodium. The kidneys cannot effectively excrete
potassium.
6. What is the normal range for serum sodium?
A. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
B. 135–145 mEq/L
C. 8.0–10.0 mg/dL
D. 1.5–2.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal serum sodium is 135–145 mEq/L. Sodium is the major extracellular cation
and is critical for fluid balance.
7. A patient has firm, rubbery skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and agitation. These
are signs of:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypernatremia (Na+ >145 mEq/L) causes decreased urinary output, firm rubbery
tissue turgor, restlessness, agitation, confusion, and flushed skin.
8. Which patient population is most at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
, 3
A. Middle-aged adults
B. Infants and geriatrics
C. Teenagers
D. Pregnant women
Answer: B
Rationale: Infants have a higher percentage of body water and immature kidney function.
Older adults have decreased thirst sensation, decreased renal function, and altered body
composition, making both populations highly vulnerable.
9. A patient is experiencing vomiting and excessive sweating. The PN should assess for
which fluid imbalance?
A. Hypervolemia
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Vomiting and excessive sweating cause fluid loss, leading to hypovolemia. Other
causes include diarrhea, fever, heat exposure, exercise without water access, and skin
injuries.
10. What is the normal range for serum potassium?
A. 135–145 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.0–10.0 mg/dL
D. 22–26 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the major intracellular
cation and is critical for cardiac and neuromuscular function.
11. A patient with metabolic alkalosis is most likely experiencing which cause?
A. Diarrhea
B. Gastric suctioning or vomiting
C. Renal failure
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis is caused by loss of gastric acid through vomiting or NG
suction. Diarrhea and DKA cause metabolic acidosis.
12. A patient has a calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL. Which assessment finding is consistent with
this value?
