,Galen NSG 3100 Exam 3 | Fundamental Concepts &
Skills for Nursing I (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A client is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel. Which instruction is correct?
A) "You may have a light breakfast before the test."
B) "Take your morning medications with water."
C) "You must not eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12 hours before the
test."
D) "Only avoid fatty foods for 24 hours."
Correct Answer: "You must not eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12
hours before the test."
Rationale: Fasting is required for accurate lipid measurement. Water is generally
allowed, but food and other beverages can alter cholesterol and triglyceride
levels. Standard fasting is 8–12 hours.
2. A client's laboratory results show a BUN of 28 mg/dL and a creatinine of 0.9
mg/dL. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Chronic renal failure
B) Fluid volume deficit
C) Acute kidney injury
D) Urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: Fluid volume deficit
,Rationale: An elevated BUN with a normal creatinine often indicates
dehydration (hemoconcentration). In renal failure, both BUN and creatinine are
elevated. UTI does not typically cause isolated BUN elevation.
3. The nurse is reviewing a client's lipid panel. Which value is within the
recommended range?
A) Total cholesterol 220 mg/dL
B) LDL 130 mg/dL
C) HDL 50 mg/dL
D) Triglycerides 180 mg/dL
Correct Answer: HDL 50 mg/dL
Rationale: Recommended HDL is >45 mg/dL, so 50 is acceptable. Total
cholesterol should be <200, LDL <100, triglycerides <150. The other options are
above desirable levels.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 126 mEq/L. The nurse prioritizes
monitoring for which symptom?
A) Peaked T waves on ECG
B) Muscle weakness and hyporeflexia
C) Confusion and seizures
D) Tetany and Chvostek's sign
Correct Answer: Confusion and seizures
, Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema, leading to altered
mental status, confusion, and seizures. Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalemia;
tetany indicates hypocalcemia.
5. The nurse notes a client's serum potassium is 6.1 mEq/L. Which ECG change is
anticipated?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
C) Peaked T waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Correct Answer: Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters repolarization, causing tall, tented T waves.
Flattened T waves and U waves are seen in hypokalemia. Prolonged QT is
associated with hypocalcemia.
6. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has an arterial blood gas result: pH 7.28,
PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃ 16. How does the nurse interpret this?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation
Skills for Nursing I (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A client is scheduled for a fasting lipid panel. Which instruction is correct?
A) "You may have a light breakfast before the test."
B) "Take your morning medications with water."
C) "You must not eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12 hours before the
test."
D) "Only avoid fatty foods for 24 hours."
Correct Answer: "You must not eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12
hours before the test."
Rationale: Fasting is required for accurate lipid measurement. Water is generally
allowed, but food and other beverages can alter cholesterol and triglyceride
levels. Standard fasting is 8–12 hours.
2. A client's laboratory results show a BUN of 28 mg/dL and a creatinine of 0.9
mg/dL. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Chronic renal failure
B) Fluid volume deficit
C) Acute kidney injury
D) Urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: Fluid volume deficit
,Rationale: An elevated BUN with a normal creatinine often indicates
dehydration (hemoconcentration). In renal failure, both BUN and creatinine are
elevated. UTI does not typically cause isolated BUN elevation.
3. The nurse is reviewing a client's lipid panel. Which value is within the
recommended range?
A) Total cholesterol 220 mg/dL
B) LDL 130 mg/dL
C) HDL 50 mg/dL
D) Triglycerides 180 mg/dL
Correct Answer: HDL 50 mg/dL
Rationale: Recommended HDL is >45 mg/dL, so 50 is acceptable. Total
cholesterol should be <200, LDL <100, triglycerides <150. The other options are
above desirable levels.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 126 mEq/L. The nurse prioritizes
monitoring for which symptom?
A) Peaked T waves on ECG
B) Muscle weakness and hyporeflexia
C) Confusion and seizures
D) Tetany and Chvostek's sign
Correct Answer: Confusion and seizures
, Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema, leading to altered
mental status, confusion, and seizures. Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalemia;
tetany indicates hypocalcemia.
5. The nurse notes a client's serum potassium is 6.1 mEq/L. Which ECG change is
anticipated?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prominent U waves
C) Peaked T waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
Correct Answer: Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters repolarization, causing tall, tented T waves.
Flattened T waves and U waves are seen in hypokalemia. Prolonged QT is
associated with hypocalcemia.
6. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has an arterial blood gas result: pH 7.28,
PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃ 16. How does the nurse interpret this?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Metabolic acidosis with partial respiratory compensation
