NUR 265 Exam 1 Review 200 Questions and100% Correct
Answers Latest 2025/2026 Update - Galen College of Nursing.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the oliguric
phase. Which of the following laboratory findings would the nurse expect?
A) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B) Serum sodium of 150 mEq/L
C) Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
D) Serum calcium of 10.5 mg/dL
Answer: C) Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
Rationale: The oliguric phase of AKI is characterized by decreased urine
output (< 400 mL/day), leading to retention of potassium, phosphorus, and
waste products. Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) is a life-threatening
finding. Hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and hypercalcemia are not typical of
the oliguric phase.
Question 2
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed erythropoietin. The
nurse understands that the primary purpose of this medication is to:
A) Decrease serum potassium levels
B) Increase red blood cell production
C) Lower blood pressure
D) Reduce proteinuria
,Answer: B) Increase red blood cell production
Rationale: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that
stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. In CKD, the kidneys
produce less erythropoietin, leading to anemia. Erythropoietin therapy is used
to treat anemia of CKD. It does not directly affect potassium, blood pressure,
or proteinuria.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who is receiving furosemide.
Which of the following findings indicates the medication is effective?
A) Weight loss of 2 pounds in 24 hours
B) Blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg
C) Crackles in the lung bases
D) Peripheral edema worsening
Answer: A) Weight loss of 2 pounds in 24 hours
Rationale: Effective diuresis results in weight loss and reduction of edema and
crackles. Hypotension may indicate over-diuresis. Crackles and worsening
edema indicate worsening heart failure.
Question 4
A client with cirrhosis has ascites and is prescribed spironolactone. The
nurse should monitor for which of the following adverse effects?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
,Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. The nurse should monitor potassium levels closely.
Hypokalemia is associated with loop or thiazide diuretics.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Elevated serum amylase and lipase
B) Decreased serum glucose
C) Elevated serum calcium
D) Decreased white blood cell count
Answer: A) Elevated serum amylase and lipase
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by elevated serum amylase and
lipase. Lipase is more specific. Glucose may be elevated; calcium may be low;
WBC count is typically elevated due to inflammation.
Question 6
A client with diabetes mellitus type 1 is experiencing nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain. Blood glucose is 450 mg/dL, and serum ketones are
positive. Which of the following is the priority intervention?
A) Administer 50% dextrose IV
B) Administer regular insulin IV and fluid replacement
C) Administer oral hypoglycemic agents
D) Encourage oral fluids
, Answer: B) Administer regular insulin IV and fluid replacement
Rationale: This client is in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Treatment includes IV
insulin and fluid resuscitation. Oral hypoglycemics are not used in DKA;
dextrose is given when glucose drops; oral fluids are insufficient.
Question 7
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial
blood gas (ABG) result of pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 58 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L.
The nurse interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO₂ is elevated (respiratory cause), and
HCO₃⁻ is elevated (renal compensation). Since the pH is still abnormal,
compensation is partial, not full. Full compensation would have a normal pH.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
findings indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Visual disturbances such as yellow-tinged vision
D) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
Answers Latest 2025/2026 Update - Galen College of Nursing.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the oliguric
phase. Which of the following laboratory findings would the nurse expect?
A) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B) Serum sodium of 150 mEq/L
C) Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
D) Serum calcium of 10.5 mg/dL
Answer: C) Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
Rationale: The oliguric phase of AKI is characterized by decreased urine
output (< 400 mL/day), leading to retention of potassium, phosphorus, and
waste products. Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) is a life-threatening
finding. Hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and hypercalcemia are not typical of
the oliguric phase.
Question 2
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed erythropoietin. The
nurse understands that the primary purpose of this medication is to:
A) Decrease serum potassium levels
B) Increase red blood cell production
C) Lower blood pressure
D) Reduce proteinuria
,Answer: B) Increase red blood cell production
Rationale: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that
stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. In CKD, the kidneys
produce less erythropoietin, leading to anemia. Erythropoietin therapy is used
to treat anemia of CKD. It does not directly affect potassium, blood pressure,
or proteinuria.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who is receiving furosemide.
Which of the following findings indicates the medication is effective?
A) Weight loss of 2 pounds in 24 hours
B) Blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg
C) Crackles in the lung bases
D) Peripheral edema worsening
Answer: A) Weight loss of 2 pounds in 24 hours
Rationale: Effective diuresis results in weight loss and reduction of edema and
crackles. Hypotension may indicate over-diuresis. Crackles and worsening
edema indicate worsening heart failure.
Question 4
A client with cirrhosis has ascites and is prescribed spironolactone. The
nurse should monitor for which of the following adverse effects?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
,Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. The nurse should monitor potassium levels closely.
Hypokalemia is associated with loop or thiazide diuretics.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Elevated serum amylase and lipase
B) Decreased serum glucose
C) Elevated serum calcium
D) Decreased white blood cell count
Answer: A) Elevated serum amylase and lipase
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by elevated serum amylase and
lipase. Lipase is more specific. Glucose may be elevated; calcium may be low;
WBC count is typically elevated due to inflammation.
Question 6
A client with diabetes mellitus type 1 is experiencing nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain. Blood glucose is 450 mg/dL, and serum ketones are
positive. Which of the following is the priority intervention?
A) Administer 50% dextrose IV
B) Administer regular insulin IV and fluid replacement
C) Administer oral hypoglycemic agents
D) Encourage oral fluids
, Answer: B) Administer regular insulin IV and fluid replacement
Rationale: This client is in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Treatment includes IV
insulin and fluid resuscitation. Oral hypoglycemics are not used in DKA;
dextrose is given when glucose drops; oral fluids are insufficient.
Question 7
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial
blood gas (ABG) result of pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 58 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L.
The nurse interprets this as:
A) Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO₂ is elevated (respiratory cause), and
HCO₃⁻ is elevated (renal compensation). Since the pH is still abnormal,
compensation is partial, not full. Full compensation would have a normal pH.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
findings indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Visual disturbances such as yellow-tinged vision
D) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
