NURS 201 Quiz 10 V2 | NURS 201 Medical
Surgical Nursing | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS201 Quiz 10) | West Coast
University
1. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to decrease the level most rapidly while
protecting the heart?
A. Regular insulin and IV dextrose
B. Furosemide
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Spironolactone
Answer: A
Rationale: Regular insulin shifts potassium from the extracellular space into the
intracellular space, effectively lowering serum levels. IV dextrose is administered
concurrently to prevent hypoglycemia resulting from the insulin infusion. This intervention
is a temporary measure used in acute hyperkalemia to prevent life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a client with
SIADH?
A. Increased urinary output
,B. Confusion and seizures
C. Tenting of the skin
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: In Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), excessive water
retention leads to dilutional hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema,
which manifests as neurological changes including confusion, lethargy, and potentially fatal
seizures. Monitoring neurological status is the highest priority for these patients to ensure
safety.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which laboratory finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.030
B. Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L
C. Urine specific gravity of 1.002
D. Serum osmolality of 250 mOsm/kg
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH, leading to the
excretion of large volumes of very dilute urine. A low urine specific gravity (typically less
, than 1.005) indicates that the kidneys are unable to concentrate urine. In contrast, serum
sodium and serum osmolality would be elevated due to the loss of free water.
4. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to see in a client with Cushing’s
Syndrome?
A. Weight loss and anorexia
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Trunkal obesity and moon face
D. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome results from an excess of corticosteroids, specifically
cortisol. Common physical characteristics include the redistribution of fat to the trunk
(trunkal obesity), a rounded face (moon face), and a fatty hump between the shoulders
(buffalo hump). These changes are hallmark signs of chronic glucocorticoid excess.
5. A client is diagnosed with Addisonian Crisis. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer oral prednisone
B. Check the client’s temperature
C. Start an IV infusion of normal saline
D. Obtain a clean catch urine sample
Surgical Nursing | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS201 Quiz 10) | West Coast
University
1. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to decrease the level most rapidly while
protecting the heart?
A. Regular insulin and IV dextrose
B. Furosemide
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Spironolactone
Answer: A
Rationale: Regular insulin shifts potassium from the extracellular space into the
intracellular space, effectively lowering serum levels. IV dextrose is administered
concurrently to prevent hypoglycemia resulting from the insulin infusion. This intervention
is a temporary measure used in acute hyperkalemia to prevent life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a client with
SIADH?
A. Increased urinary output
,B. Confusion and seizures
C. Tenting of the skin
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: In Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), excessive water
retention leads to dilutional hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema,
which manifests as neurological changes including confusion, lethargy, and potentially fatal
seizures. Monitoring neurological status is the highest priority for these patients to ensure
safety.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which laboratory finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.030
B. Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L
C. Urine specific gravity of 1.002
D. Serum osmolality of 250 mOsm/kg
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH, leading to the
excretion of large volumes of very dilute urine. A low urine specific gravity (typically less
, than 1.005) indicates that the kidneys are unable to concentrate urine. In contrast, serum
sodium and serum osmolality would be elevated due to the loss of free water.
4. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to see in a client with Cushing’s
Syndrome?
A. Weight loss and anorexia
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Trunkal obesity and moon face
D. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome results from an excess of corticosteroids, specifically
cortisol. Common physical characteristics include the redistribution of fat to the trunk
(trunkal obesity), a rounded face (moon face), and a fatty hump between the shoulders
(buffalo hump). These changes are hallmark signs of chronic glucocorticoid excess.
5. A client is diagnosed with Addisonian Crisis. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer oral prednisone
B. Check the client’s temperature
C. Start an IV infusion of normal saline
D. Obtain a clean catch urine sample
