RN HESI MED SURG EXAM 700 CORE ADULT
HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SYSTEMS REVIEW
2026
◉ Which client is at greatest risk for dehydration?
a. younger adult client on bedrest
b. older adult client receiving hypotonic IV fluid
c. older adult client with cognitive impairment
d. younger adult client receiving hypertonic IV fluid.
Answer: C
Older adults, because they have less total body water than younger
adults, are at greater risk for development of dehydration. Anyone
who is cognitively impaired and cannot obtain fluids independently
or cannot make his or her need for fluids known is at high risk for
dehydration
◉ A nurse is caring for several clients. Which client does the nurse
assess most carefully for hyperkalemia?
a. client with type 2 diabetes taking an oral anti-diabetic agent
,b. client with heart failure using a salt substitute
c. client taking a thiazide diuretic for hypertension
d. client taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs daily.
Answer: B
Many salt substitutes are composed of potassium chloride. Heavy
use cna contribute to the development of hyperkalemia. The client
should be taught to read labels and to choose a salt substitute that
does not contain potassium. NSAIDs promote the retention of
sodium but not potassium.
◉ An older adult client presents with signs and symptoms related to
dig toxicity. Which age related change may have contributed to this
problem?
a. decreased renal blood flow
b. increased gastrointestinal motility
c. decreased ratio of adipose tissue to lean body mass
d. increased total body water.
Answer: A
Decreased renal blood flow and reduced glomerular filtration can
result in slower medication excretion time, potentially leading to
toxic drug accumulation. Aging results in decreased total body water
,and gastrointestinal motility and an increase in the ratio of adipose
tissue to lean body mass, but is not related to dig toxicity.
◉ A client is being treated for dehydration. Which statement made
by the client indicates understanding of this condition?
a. I will use a salt substitute when making and eating my meals.
b. I must drink a quart of water or other liquid each day.
c. I will not drink liquids after 6 PM so I won't have to get up at night.
d. I will weigh myself each morning before I eat or drink..
Answer: D
Because 1 L of water weighs 1 kg, change in body weight is a good
measure of excess fluid loss or fluid retention. Weight loss greater
than 0.5 lb daily is indicative of excessive fluid loss. The other
statements are not indicative of practices that will prevent
dehydration.
◉ The nurse notes that the handgrip of the client with hypokalemia
has diminished since the previous assessment one hour ago. Which
intervention by the nurse is the priority?
a. assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth
b. document findings and monitor the client
, c. measure the client's pulse and blood pressure
d. call the health care provider.
Answer: A
In a client with hypokkalemia, progressive skeletal muscle weakness
is associated with increasing severity of hypokalemia. The most life-
threatening complication of hypokalemia is respiratory insufficiency.
It is imperative for the nurse to perform a respiratory assessment
first to make sure that the client is not in immediate jeopardy. Next,
the nurse would call the health care provider to obtain orders for
potassium replacement.
◉ The physician orders Lasix (furosemide) 60 mg po every day for
your patient. On hand you have Lasix 40 mg. How many tablets will
you give the patient?
a. 3
b. 1
c. 1 1/2
d. 2 1/5.
Answer: C
60/40 (desired/have)
HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SYSTEMS REVIEW
2026
◉ Which client is at greatest risk for dehydration?
a. younger adult client on bedrest
b. older adult client receiving hypotonic IV fluid
c. older adult client with cognitive impairment
d. younger adult client receiving hypertonic IV fluid.
Answer: C
Older adults, because they have less total body water than younger
adults, are at greater risk for development of dehydration. Anyone
who is cognitively impaired and cannot obtain fluids independently
or cannot make his or her need for fluids known is at high risk for
dehydration
◉ A nurse is caring for several clients. Which client does the nurse
assess most carefully for hyperkalemia?
a. client with type 2 diabetes taking an oral anti-diabetic agent
,b. client with heart failure using a salt substitute
c. client taking a thiazide diuretic for hypertension
d. client taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs daily.
Answer: B
Many salt substitutes are composed of potassium chloride. Heavy
use cna contribute to the development of hyperkalemia. The client
should be taught to read labels and to choose a salt substitute that
does not contain potassium. NSAIDs promote the retention of
sodium but not potassium.
◉ An older adult client presents with signs and symptoms related to
dig toxicity. Which age related change may have contributed to this
problem?
a. decreased renal blood flow
b. increased gastrointestinal motility
c. decreased ratio of adipose tissue to lean body mass
d. increased total body water.
Answer: A
Decreased renal blood flow and reduced glomerular filtration can
result in slower medication excretion time, potentially leading to
toxic drug accumulation. Aging results in decreased total body water
,and gastrointestinal motility and an increase in the ratio of adipose
tissue to lean body mass, but is not related to dig toxicity.
◉ A client is being treated for dehydration. Which statement made
by the client indicates understanding of this condition?
a. I will use a salt substitute when making and eating my meals.
b. I must drink a quart of water or other liquid each day.
c. I will not drink liquids after 6 PM so I won't have to get up at night.
d. I will weigh myself each morning before I eat or drink..
Answer: D
Because 1 L of water weighs 1 kg, change in body weight is a good
measure of excess fluid loss or fluid retention. Weight loss greater
than 0.5 lb daily is indicative of excessive fluid loss. The other
statements are not indicative of practices that will prevent
dehydration.
◉ The nurse notes that the handgrip of the client with hypokalemia
has diminished since the previous assessment one hour ago. Which
intervention by the nurse is the priority?
a. assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth
b. document findings and monitor the client
, c. measure the client's pulse and blood pressure
d. call the health care provider.
Answer: A
In a client with hypokkalemia, progressive skeletal muscle weakness
is associated with increasing severity of hypokalemia. The most life-
threatening complication of hypokalemia is respiratory insufficiency.
It is imperative for the nurse to perform a respiratory assessment
first to make sure that the client is not in immediate jeopardy. Next,
the nurse would call the health care provider to obtain orders for
potassium replacement.
◉ The physician orders Lasix (furosemide) 60 mg po every day for
your patient. On hand you have Lasix 40 mg. How many tablets will
you give the patient?
a. 3
b. 1
c. 1 1/2
d. 2 1/5.
Answer: C
60/40 (desired/have)
