200-Question Practice Exam with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
William Paterson University
Exam 1 Overview
NUR 3300 – Nursing Practice II at William Paterson University provides students with
clinical practicum experience delivering therapeutic nursing care to clients at all stages
of human development during periods of changing health and illness. Students apply
the nursing process, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practice to provide safe,
quality patient care.
Exam 1 focuses on the following core topics:
• Fluid and Electrolyte Balance (imbalances, assessment, interventions)
• Acid-Base Balance (metabolic and respiratory disorders)
• IV Therapy and Blood Administration
• Fundamental Nursing Skills (infection control, medication administration, safety)
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing (antepartum assessment, fetal development, prenatal
care)
• Family Dynamics and Cultural Competence
• Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
• Pharmacology Basics (medication calculations, routes, safety)
SECTION 1: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance (Questions 1-40)
,1. A patient has a serum sodium of 118 mEq/L. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Thirst
B) Seizure activity
C) Muscle cramps
D) Dry mucous membranes
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (<120 mEq/L) causes cerebral edema, leading to
seizures, coma, and death. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention with hypertonic saline. Thirst, muscle cramps, and dry mucous membranes
are signs of hypernatremia or dehydration.
2. Which ECG change is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A) Prominent U wave
B) Peaked T waves
C) ST elevation
D) Prolonged PR interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked (tented) T waves. Prominent U waves occur
in hypokalemia. ST elevation is seen in myocardial infarction, and prolonged PR interval
can occur in first-degree heart block.
3. A patient with heart failure has a potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A) Spironolactone
B) Potassium chloride
C) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D) Furosemide
, Answer: C k
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) binds potassium in the
k k k k k k k k
gastrointestinal tract and promotes its excretion, making it specific for treating
k k k k k k k k k k k
hyperkalemia. Furosemide can help but is not the primary treatment. Spironolactone is a
k k k k k k k k k k k k k
potassium-sparing diuretic that would worsen hyperkalemia. Potassium chloride would
k k k k k k k k k
increase potassium levels.
k k k
4. A postoperative patient's serum calcium is 6.5 mg/dL. The nurse expects which
k k k k k k k k k k k k
finding?
k
A) Positive Trousseau's sign
k k k
B) Hyperactive reflexes
k k
C) Muscle twitching
k k
D) All of the above
k k k k
Answer: D k
Rationale: Hypocalcemia (normal 8.5-10.5 mg/dL) causes neuromuscular irritability,
k k k k k k k
including positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with blood pressure cuff inflation),
k k k k k k k k k k k
hyperactive reflexes, and muscle twitching. Severe hypocalcemia can cause tetany and
k k k k k k k k k k k
laryngeal stridor.
k k
5. A patient is receiving IV furosemide. The nurse should monitor for which
k k k k k k k k k k k k
electrolyte imbalance?
k k
A) Hyperkalemia
k
B) Hypokalemia
k
C) Hypernatremia
k
D) Hypercalcemia
k
Answer: B k
Rationale: Loop diuretics (furosemide) cause potassium wasting by inhibiting the sodium-
k k k k k k k k k k
potassium-chloride cotransporter in the loop of Henle. The nurse should monitor
k k k k k k k k k k