NSG 3850 EXAM 1 LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A nurse is assessing a client with dehydration. Which finding is most indicative
of fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypertension
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration, indicating
decreased body fluid volume.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle weakness and cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels impair neuromuscular and cardiac function,
leading to weakness and arrhythmias.
3. A client has a serum sodium level of 150 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
,C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Normal sodium is 135–145 mEq/L; 150 indicates excess sodium
concentration.
4. Which IV fluid is isotonic?
A. 0.45% NS
B. 3% NS
C. D5W
D. 0.9% NS
Answer: D. 0.9% NS
Rationale: Normal saline (0.9%) has the same osmolarity as blood plasma.
5. A client receiving diuretics is at risk for which imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Many diuretics increase potassium excretion, leading to low levels.
6. Which assessment finding suggests fluid overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Dry skin
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased BP
, Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary congestion, causing crackles.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for fluid balance?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Heart
Answer: B. Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys regulate fluid and electrolyte balance through filtration and
excretion.
8. Which lab value indicates hypocalcemia?
A. 12 mg/dL
B. 10 mg/dL
C. 8 mg/dL
D. 9 mg/dL
Answer: C. 8 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal calcium is 8.5–10.5 mg/dL; 8 is below normal.
9. A nurse suspects hypomagnesemia. Which symptom supports this?
A. Bradycardia
B. Lethargy
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Hyperreflexia
Rationale: Low magnesium causes increased neuromuscular excitability.
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A nurse is assessing a client with dehydration. Which finding is most indicative
of fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypertension
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration, indicating
decreased body fluid volume.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle weakness and cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels impair neuromuscular and cardiac function,
leading to weakness and arrhythmias.
3. A client has a serum sodium level of 150 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
,C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Normal sodium is 135–145 mEq/L; 150 indicates excess sodium
concentration.
4. Which IV fluid is isotonic?
A. 0.45% NS
B. 3% NS
C. D5W
D. 0.9% NS
Answer: D. 0.9% NS
Rationale: Normal saline (0.9%) has the same osmolarity as blood plasma.
5. A client receiving diuretics is at risk for which imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Many diuretics increase potassium excretion, leading to low levels.
6. Which assessment finding suggests fluid overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Dry skin
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased BP
, Answer: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary congestion, causing crackles.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for fluid balance?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Heart
Answer: B. Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys regulate fluid and electrolyte balance through filtration and
excretion.
8. Which lab value indicates hypocalcemia?
A. 12 mg/dL
B. 10 mg/dL
C. 8 mg/dL
D. 9 mg/dL
Answer: C. 8 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal calcium is 8.5–10.5 mg/dL; 8 is below normal.
9. A nurse suspects hypomagnesemia. Which symptom supports this?
A. Bradycardia
B. Lethargy
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Hyperreflexia
Rationale: Low magnesium causes increased neuromuscular excitability.
