GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING NUR 242 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 242 Exam 2 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
87 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 87 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales focusing on
fluid overload and related conditions. Each question is paired with an explanation of the underlying
principles, making it suitable for nursing exam preparation and comprehensive review. Students can
effectively use this resource for study, exam revision, and certification prep.
CONTENTS
01 Fluid Overload Q1–Q8
02 Dehydration Q9–Q15
03 Calcium Imbalances Q16–Q27
Page 1
, 04 Potassium Imbalances Q28–Q40
05 Magnesium Imbalances Q41–Q52
06 Sodium Imbalances Q53–Q61
07 Acid-Base Disorders Q62–Q87
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 87
Causes of fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Excessive fluid replacement
•Kidney failure (late phase)
•Heart failure
•Long term corticosteroid therapy
•Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
•Psychiatric disorders with polydipsia
•Water intoxication
RATIONALE
Fluid overload occurs when the body's mechanisms for fluid balance are disrupted, often due to conditions that
impair renal function, heart performance, or excessive fluid intake, leading to symptoms such as edema and
hypertension. Understanding the underlying causes, including organ dysfunction and hormonal imbalances, is
critical for effective management and prevention of complications.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 87
s/s fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•CV: tachycardia, bounding pulse, HTN, decrease pulse pressure, JVD, weight gain
•Resp: increase and shallow resp; SOB, crackles lung sounds
•Skin: pitting edema, skin pale and cool to touch
•Neuromuscular: LOC, HA, visual disturbance, muscle weakness, paresthesia
•GI: increase motility, enlarge liver
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Fluid overload leads to increased blood volume, resulting in cardiovascular manifestations such as tachycardia and
hypertension, along with respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath due to pulmonary congestion. Additionally,
peripheral edema and altered neurological status arise from elevated hydrostatic pressure affecting tissue perfusion
and electrolyte balance.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 87
Assessment for fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Assess risk r/t age and diagnosis, history (overhydration, CHF, kidney disease)
•Assess vital signs why: watch for bounding tachycardia, HTN, dysrhythmias, tachypnea
•Assess lung sounds (crackles) , weight, LOC, Observe JVD
•Assess lab values: electrolytes imbalance and signs and symptoms
• Focus Assessment: skin/extremities/ abdomen and sacrum area for edema
•Assess perfusion: edema may impair perfusion to extremities, assess peripheral and central pulses, capillary
refill, skin color, temp, sensory and motor function
•Observe for urine output
RATIONALE
Fluid overload assessment requires a comprehensive evaluation of signs, lung sounds, weight changes, and
peripheral perfusion to identify signs of excess fluid, which can lead to complications like heart failure and impaired
circulation. Identifying risk factors such as age and underlying medical conditions further aids in early detection and
management of fluid overload.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 87
Lab values fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Serum osmolality (275-295 mOsm/kg)
•Decrease found in overhydration <275; and < 265 is critical finding
•CBC
•Decrease hemoglobin and hematocrit
•BUN
•decreased BUN
•Electrolytes
•Decreased sodium (shifts due to dilution)
•Urine specific gravity Decrease < 1.005
Page 3
, RATIONALE
005, reflecting the body's inability to concentrate urine due to excess fluid. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels also
decrease, indicating hemodilution from overhydration.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 87
fluid overload interventions/goal
CORRECT ANSWER
•Goal: reduce excess body fluids, promote desired elimination
•Manage underlying cause
•Restrict dietary sodium intake
•Monitor I/O
•Administer diuretic
•Monitor client's s/s and electrolytes values
•Restrict oral and other fluid intake as prescribed
RATIONALE
Effective management of fluid overload involves reducing excess fluids through diuretics, dietary sodium restriction,
and close monitoring of intake and output, which collectively support renal function and maintain electrolyte
balance while addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This approach ensures optimal fluid homeostasis
and prevents complications associated with fluid retention.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 87
Fluid overload complications
CORRECT ANSWER
•Isotonic overhydration
•HF and pulmonary edema
•Seizure
•Coma
RATIONALE
Isotonic overhydration leads to increased blood volume, which can exacerbate heart failure and result in pulmonary
edema due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Additionally, severe fluid overload can disrupt electrolyte balance,
potentially causing neurological complications such as seizures and coma.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 242 Exam 2 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
87 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 87 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales focusing on
fluid overload and related conditions. Each question is paired with an explanation of the underlying
principles, making it suitable for nursing exam preparation and comprehensive review. Students can
effectively use this resource for study, exam revision, and certification prep.
CONTENTS
01 Fluid Overload Q1–Q8
02 Dehydration Q9–Q15
03 Calcium Imbalances Q16–Q27
Page 1
, 04 Potassium Imbalances Q28–Q40
05 Magnesium Imbalances Q41–Q52
06 Sodium Imbalances Q53–Q61
07 Acid-Base Disorders Q62–Q87
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 87
Causes of fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Excessive fluid replacement
•Kidney failure (late phase)
•Heart failure
•Long term corticosteroid therapy
•Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
•Psychiatric disorders with polydipsia
•Water intoxication
RATIONALE
Fluid overload occurs when the body's mechanisms for fluid balance are disrupted, often due to conditions that
impair renal function, heart performance, or excessive fluid intake, leading to symptoms such as edema and
hypertension. Understanding the underlying causes, including organ dysfunction and hormonal imbalances, is
critical for effective management and prevention of complications.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 87
s/s fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•CV: tachycardia, bounding pulse, HTN, decrease pulse pressure, JVD, weight gain
•Resp: increase and shallow resp; SOB, crackles lung sounds
•Skin: pitting edema, skin pale and cool to touch
•Neuromuscular: LOC, HA, visual disturbance, muscle weakness, paresthesia
•GI: increase motility, enlarge liver
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Fluid overload leads to increased blood volume, resulting in cardiovascular manifestations such as tachycardia and
hypertension, along with respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath due to pulmonary congestion. Additionally,
peripheral edema and altered neurological status arise from elevated hydrostatic pressure affecting tissue perfusion
and electrolyte balance.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 87
Assessment for fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Assess risk r/t age and diagnosis, history (overhydration, CHF, kidney disease)
•Assess vital signs why: watch for bounding tachycardia, HTN, dysrhythmias, tachypnea
•Assess lung sounds (crackles) , weight, LOC, Observe JVD
•Assess lab values: electrolytes imbalance and signs and symptoms
• Focus Assessment: skin/extremities/ abdomen and sacrum area for edema
•Assess perfusion: edema may impair perfusion to extremities, assess peripheral and central pulses, capillary
refill, skin color, temp, sensory and motor function
•Observe for urine output
RATIONALE
Fluid overload assessment requires a comprehensive evaluation of signs, lung sounds, weight changes, and
peripheral perfusion to identify signs of excess fluid, which can lead to complications like heart failure and impaired
circulation. Identifying risk factors such as age and underlying medical conditions further aids in early detection and
management of fluid overload.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 87
Lab values fluid overload
CORRECT ANSWER
•Serum osmolality (275-295 mOsm/kg)
•Decrease found in overhydration <275; and < 265 is critical finding
•CBC
•Decrease hemoglobin and hematocrit
•BUN
•decreased BUN
•Electrolytes
•Decreased sodium (shifts due to dilution)
•Urine specific gravity Decrease < 1.005
Page 3
, RATIONALE
005, reflecting the body's inability to concentrate urine due to excess fluid. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels also
decrease, indicating hemodilution from overhydration.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 87
fluid overload interventions/goal
CORRECT ANSWER
•Goal: reduce excess body fluids, promote desired elimination
•Manage underlying cause
•Restrict dietary sodium intake
•Monitor I/O
•Administer diuretic
•Monitor client's s/s and electrolytes values
•Restrict oral and other fluid intake as prescribed
RATIONALE
Effective management of fluid overload involves reducing excess fluids through diuretics, dietary sodium restriction,
and close monitoring of intake and output, which collectively support renal function and maintain electrolyte
balance while addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This approach ensures optimal fluid homeostasis
and prevents complications associated with fluid retention.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 87
Fluid overload complications
CORRECT ANSWER
•Isotonic overhydration
•HF and pulmonary edema
•Seizure
•Coma
RATIONALE
Isotonic overhydration leads to increased blood volume, which can exacerbate heart failure and result in pulmonary
edema due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Additionally, severe fluid overload can disrupt electrolyte balance,
potentially causing neurological complications such as seizures and coma.
Page 4
