Portage Learning
LANIF · 132 SRUN
★ ★
PN School of Nursing
EST. 2009
FLEXIBLE. AFFORDABLE. ACCREDITED.
NURS 231 Final Exam — Lab Values & Critical Care
F LU I D & E L E CT R O LYT E S , A B G S , & C R I T I C A L C A R E N U RS I N G
INSTITUTION Portage Learning COURSE CODE NURS 231
PROGRAM Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NURS 231 Final Exam — Lab TOTAL QUESTIONS 80 Questions
Values & Critical Care
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover normal lab values, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, ABG interpretation, and critical
care nursing.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ Use these rationales to reinforce key nursing concepts for clinical practice.
, SECTION I — LAB VALUES & CRITICAL CARE Questions 1 – 80
1. What is the normal range for urine specific gravity?
A. 1.000-1.030
B. 1.010-1.020
C. 0.995-1.010
D. 1.020-1.040
CORRECT ANSWER A — 1.000-1.030
RATIONALE Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.000 to 1.030. This measures the
concentration of solutes in urine and reflects the kidney's ability to concentrate or
dilute urine.
2. What is the normal range for serum osmolality?
A. 250-280
B. 270-300
C. 300-330
D. 200-250
CORRECT ANSWER B — 270-300
RATIONALE Normal serum osmolality ranges from 270 to 300 mOsm/kg. This measures the
concentration of dissolved particles in the blood and helps assess hydration
status.
,3. What are the normal ABG values for pH, HCO3, PaCO2, and PaO2?
A. pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 22-26, PaCO2 35-45, PaO2 80-100
B. pH 7.30-7.40, HCO3 20-24, PaCO2 40-50, PaO2 70-90
C. pH 7.40-7.50, HCO3 24-28, PaCO2 30-40, PaO2 90-110
D. pH 7.25-7.35, HCO3 18-22, PaCO2 45-55, PaO2 60-80
CORRECT ANSWER A — pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 22-26, PaCO2 35-45, PaO2 80-100
RATIONALE Normal ABG values are: pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 (bicarbonate) 22-26 mEq/L, PaCO2 35-
45 mmHg, and PaO2 80-100 mmHg. These values indicate normal acid-base
balance and oxygenation.
4. What is the normal value for troponin I?
A. 0.5-1.0 ng/mL
B. <0.03 ng/mL
C. 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
D. 0.1-0.5 ng/mL
CORRECT ANSWER B — <0.03 ng/mL
RATIONALE Normal troponin I is less than 0.03 ng/mL. Elevated troponin levels indicate
cardiac muscle damage and are diagnostic for myocardial infarction.
5. What are the normal ranges for the electrolyte panel: Na+, K+, Ca+, Mg+?
A. Na+ 135-145, K+ 3.5-5, Ca+ 9-10.5, Mg+ 1.2-2
B. Na+ 130-140, K+ 3.0-4.5, Ca+ 8-9.5, Mg+ 1.5-2.5
C. Na+ 140-150, K+ 4.0-5.5, Ca+ 9.5-11, Mg+ 2.0-3.0
D. Na+ 125-135, K+ 4.0-6.0, Ca+ 7-9, Mg+ 1.0-1.5
CORRECT ANSWER A — Na+ 135-145, K+ 3.5-5, Ca+ 9-10.5, Mg+ 1.2-2
RATIONALE Normal ranges: Sodium (Na+) 135-145 mEq/L, Potassium (K+) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L,
Calcium (Ca+) 9-10.5 mg/dL, Magnesium (Mg+) 1.2-2.0 mEq/L.
, 6. What are the normal ranges for BUN and Creatinine?
A. BUN 10-20, Creatinine 0.5-1.2
B. BUN 20-30, Creatinine 1.0-2.0
C. BUN 5-10, Creatinine 0.2-0.5
D. BUN 15-25, Creatinine 1.5-2.5
CORRECT ANSWER A — BUN 10-20, Creatinine 0.5-1.2
RATIONALE Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL and normal creatinine is 0.5-1.2 mg/dL. These values
assess kidney function, with elevated levels indicating impaired renal function.
7. What are the normal ranges for CBC: Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC, and platelets?
A. Hgb 12-18, Hct 37-52%, RBC 4.2-6.1, WBC 5,000-10,000, Platelets 150,000-400,000
B. Hgb 10-14, Hct 30-40%, RBC 3.5-4.5, WBC 4,000-8,000, Platelets 100,000-300,000
C. Hgb 14-18, Hct 40-50%, RBC 5.0-6.0, WBC 10,000-15,000, Platelets 200,000-500,000
D. Hgb 8-12, Hct 25-35%, RBC 3.0-4.0, WBC 3,000-6,000, Platelets 100,000-200,000
CORRECT ANSWER A — Hgb 12-18, Hct 37-52%, RBC 4.2-6.1, WBC 5,000-10,000, Platelets
150,000-400,000
RATIONALE Normal CBC values: Hemoglobin (Hgb) 12-18 g/dL, Hematocrit (Hct) 37-52%, Red
Blood Cells (RBC) 4.2-6.1 million/mcL, White Blood Cells (WBC) 5,000-10,000/mcL,
Platelets 150,000-400,000/mcL.
8. Match the lab profile with the most likely fluid imbalance: Na 148, Hct 40% yesterday, 49%
today, serum osmolarity 308
A. Fluid Volume Deficit
B. Fluid Volume Excess
CORRECT ANSWER A — Fluid Volume Deficit
RATIONALE Elevated sodium (148), increased hematocrit (from 40% to 49%), and elevated
serum osmolarity (308) indicate hemoconcentration consistent with fluid volume
deficit. These changes occur when water is lost but solutes remain, concentrating
the blood.
LANIF · 132 SRUN
★ ★
PN School of Nursing
EST. 2009
FLEXIBLE. AFFORDABLE. ACCREDITED.
NURS 231 Final Exam — Lab Values & Critical Care
F LU I D & E L E CT R O LYT E S , A B G S , & C R I T I C A L C A R E N U RS I N G
INSTITUTION Portage Learning COURSE CODE NURS 231
PROGRAM Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NURS 231 Final Exam — Lab TOTAL QUESTIONS 80 Questions
Values & Critical Care
COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover normal lab values, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, ABG interpretation, and critical
care nursing.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ Use these rationales to reinforce key nursing concepts for clinical practice.
, SECTION I — LAB VALUES & CRITICAL CARE Questions 1 – 80
1. What is the normal range for urine specific gravity?
A. 1.000-1.030
B. 1.010-1.020
C. 0.995-1.010
D. 1.020-1.040
CORRECT ANSWER A — 1.000-1.030
RATIONALE Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.000 to 1.030. This measures the
concentration of solutes in urine and reflects the kidney's ability to concentrate or
dilute urine.
2. What is the normal range for serum osmolality?
A. 250-280
B. 270-300
C. 300-330
D. 200-250
CORRECT ANSWER B — 270-300
RATIONALE Normal serum osmolality ranges from 270 to 300 mOsm/kg. This measures the
concentration of dissolved particles in the blood and helps assess hydration
status.
,3. What are the normal ABG values for pH, HCO3, PaCO2, and PaO2?
A. pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 22-26, PaCO2 35-45, PaO2 80-100
B. pH 7.30-7.40, HCO3 20-24, PaCO2 40-50, PaO2 70-90
C. pH 7.40-7.50, HCO3 24-28, PaCO2 30-40, PaO2 90-110
D. pH 7.25-7.35, HCO3 18-22, PaCO2 45-55, PaO2 60-80
CORRECT ANSWER A — pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 22-26, PaCO2 35-45, PaO2 80-100
RATIONALE Normal ABG values are: pH 7.35-7.45, HCO3 (bicarbonate) 22-26 mEq/L, PaCO2 35-
45 mmHg, and PaO2 80-100 mmHg. These values indicate normal acid-base
balance and oxygenation.
4. What is the normal value for troponin I?
A. 0.5-1.0 ng/mL
B. <0.03 ng/mL
C. 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
D. 0.1-0.5 ng/mL
CORRECT ANSWER B — <0.03 ng/mL
RATIONALE Normal troponin I is less than 0.03 ng/mL. Elevated troponin levels indicate
cardiac muscle damage and are diagnostic for myocardial infarction.
5. What are the normal ranges for the electrolyte panel: Na+, K+, Ca+, Mg+?
A. Na+ 135-145, K+ 3.5-5, Ca+ 9-10.5, Mg+ 1.2-2
B. Na+ 130-140, K+ 3.0-4.5, Ca+ 8-9.5, Mg+ 1.5-2.5
C. Na+ 140-150, K+ 4.0-5.5, Ca+ 9.5-11, Mg+ 2.0-3.0
D. Na+ 125-135, K+ 4.0-6.0, Ca+ 7-9, Mg+ 1.0-1.5
CORRECT ANSWER A — Na+ 135-145, K+ 3.5-5, Ca+ 9-10.5, Mg+ 1.2-2
RATIONALE Normal ranges: Sodium (Na+) 135-145 mEq/L, Potassium (K+) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L,
Calcium (Ca+) 9-10.5 mg/dL, Magnesium (Mg+) 1.2-2.0 mEq/L.
, 6. What are the normal ranges for BUN and Creatinine?
A. BUN 10-20, Creatinine 0.5-1.2
B. BUN 20-30, Creatinine 1.0-2.0
C. BUN 5-10, Creatinine 0.2-0.5
D. BUN 15-25, Creatinine 1.5-2.5
CORRECT ANSWER A — BUN 10-20, Creatinine 0.5-1.2
RATIONALE Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL and normal creatinine is 0.5-1.2 mg/dL. These values
assess kidney function, with elevated levels indicating impaired renal function.
7. What are the normal ranges for CBC: Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC, and platelets?
A. Hgb 12-18, Hct 37-52%, RBC 4.2-6.1, WBC 5,000-10,000, Platelets 150,000-400,000
B. Hgb 10-14, Hct 30-40%, RBC 3.5-4.5, WBC 4,000-8,000, Platelets 100,000-300,000
C. Hgb 14-18, Hct 40-50%, RBC 5.0-6.0, WBC 10,000-15,000, Platelets 200,000-500,000
D. Hgb 8-12, Hct 25-35%, RBC 3.0-4.0, WBC 3,000-6,000, Platelets 100,000-200,000
CORRECT ANSWER A — Hgb 12-18, Hct 37-52%, RBC 4.2-6.1, WBC 5,000-10,000, Platelets
150,000-400,000
RATIONALE Normal CBC values: Hemoglobin (Hgb) 12-18 g/dL, Hematocrit (Hct) 37-52%, Red
Blood Cells (RBC) 4.2-6.1 million/mcL, White Blood Cells (WBC) 5,000-10,000/mcL,
Platelets 150,000-400,000/mcL.
8. Match the lab profile with the most likely fluid imbalance: Na 148, Hct 40% yesterday, 49%
today, serum osmolarity 308
A. Fluid Volume Deficit
B. Fluid Volume Excess
CORRECT ANSWER A — Fluid Volume Deficit
RATIONALE Elevated sodium (148), increased hematocrit (from 40% to 49%), and elevated
serum osmolarity (308) indicate hemoconcentration consistent with fluid volume
deficit. These changes occur when water is lost but solutes remain, concentrating
the blood.
