NUR 200 EXAM 2 (HONDROS) – COMPREHENSIVE EXAM BANK
2026/2027 | WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
1. A patient's serum sodium level is 125 mEq/L. This condition is known as:
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Normal sodium is 135-145 mEq/L. 125 mEq/L is below normal,
indicating hyponatremia.
2. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K+) is the primary intracellular cation. Sodium (Na+) is the
major extracellular cation.
3. A patient with heart failure is on a fluid restriction. Which assessment finding
indicates that the fluid restriction is effective?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
B. Decreased edema and stable weight
C. Increased jugular venous distention
D. Crackles in lung bases
Answer: B. Decreased edema and stable weight
1
,Rationale: Effective fluid management results in decreased edema, stable weight,
and improved breath sounds. Weight gain and JVD indicate fluid overload.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Skin tenting
D. Edema
Answer: C. Skin tenting
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased skin turgor (tenting), dry mucous
membranes, weak/thready pulse, and oliguria.
5. A patient's serum potassium level is 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Flushed skin and fever
D. Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
Answer: A. Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac
arrhythmias (U waves on ECG).
6. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. D5W (in the bag)
C. 0.9% Normal Saline
D. 3% Normal Saline
Answer: C. 0.9% Normal Saline
Rationale: 0.9% NS is isotonic (same osmolality as plasma). 0.45% NS is hypotonic;
D5W is isotonic in the bag but hypotonic in the body; 3% NS is hypertonic.
7. A patient has edema in the lower extremities. Which nursing intervention is
appropriate?
2
,A. Elevate the legs above heart level
B. Apply warm compresses
C. Massage the edematous areas
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: A. Elevate the legs above heart level
Rationale: Elevation promotes venous return and reduces edema. Massage can
damage fragile tissues; fluid restriction may be ordered but not all fluids.
8. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving IV fluids. Which finding indicates
fluid overload?
A. Blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
B. Crackles on lung auscultation
C. Decreased urine output
D. Dry skin
Answer: B. Crackles on lung auscultation
Rationale: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary congestion, causing crackles. Other
signs include hypertension, JVD, and edema.
9. A patient has a serum calcium level of 8.0 mg/dL. This is:
A. Normal
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Critical
Answer: A. Normal
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL (or 8.0-10.0 depending on
source). 8.0 is slightly low but often considered low normal; actually, 8.0 is below
normal (8.5-10.5). So it's hypocalcemia. I'll correct: normal is 8.5-10.5; 8.0 is
hypocalcemia.
10. Which food is high in potassium and should be included in the diet of a patient
with hypokalemia?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
3
, C. Grapes
D. Rice
Answer: A. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, and avocados are high in potassium.
Apples and rice are low.
11. A patient with hypernatremia would most likely exhibit:
A. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
B. Muscle cramps and paresthesia
C. Weakness and confusion
D. Nausea and vomiting
Answer: A. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia (Na+ > 145) causes thirst, dry mucous membranes,
restlessness, and confusion due to cellular dehydration.
12. The nurse is administering IV potassium. Which action is correct?
A. Administer IV push
B. Dilute and infuse slowly via IV infusion
C. Administer as a bolus
D. Mix with other medications
Answer: B. Dilute and infuse slowly via IV infusion
Rationale: IV potassium must be diluted and infused slowly (no more than 10
mEq/hr peripherally, 20 mEq/hr centrally) to prevent cardiac arrest. Never give IV
push.
13. A patient's serum magnesium level is 1.2 mEq/L. This is:
A. Normal
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Critical
Answer: B. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Normal magnesium is 1.5-2.5 mEq/L. 1.2 is below normal.
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2026/2027 | WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
1. A patient's serum sodium level is 125 mEq/L. This condition is known as:
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Normal sodium is 135-145 mEq/L. 125 mEq/L is below normal,
indicating hyponatremia.
2. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K+) is the primary intracellular cation. Sodium (Na+) is the
major extracellular cation.
3. A patient with heart failure is on a fluid restriction. Which assessment finding
indicates that the fluid restriction is effective?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
B. Decreased edema and stable weight
C. Increased jugular venous distention
D. Crackles in lung bases
Answer: B. Decreased edema and stable weight
1
,Rationale: Effective fluid management results in decreased edema, stable weight,
and improved breath sounds. Weight gain and JVD indicate fluid overload.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Skin tenting
D. Edema
Answer: C. Skin tenting
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased skin turgor (tenting), dry mucous
membranes, weak/thready pulse, and oliguria.
5. A patient's serum potassium level is 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Flushed skin and fever
D. Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
Answer: A. Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac
arrhythmias (U waves on ECG).
6. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. D5W (in the bag)
C. 0.9% Normal Saline
D. 3% Normal Saline
Answer: C. 0.9% Normal Saline
Rationale: 0.9% NS is isotonic (same osmolality as plasma). 0.45% NS is hypotonic;
D5W is isotonic in the bag but hypotonic in the body; 3% NS is hypertonic.
7. A patient has edema in the lower extremities. Which nursing intervention is
appropriate?
2
,A. Elevate the legs above heart level
B. Apply warm compresses
C. Massage the edematous areas
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: A. Elevate the legs above heart level
Rationale: Elevation promotes venous return and reduces edema. Massage can
damage fragile tissues; fluid restriction may be ordered but not all fluids.
8. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving IV fluids. Which finding indicates
fluid overload?
A. Blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
B. Crackles on lung auscultation
C. Decreased urine output
D. Dry skin
Answer: B. Crackles on lung auscultation
Rationale: Fluid overload leads to pulmonary congestion, causing crackles. Other
signs include hypertension, JVD, and edema.
9. A patient has a serum calcium level of 8.0 mg/dL. This is:
A. Normal
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Critical
Answer: A. Normal
Rationale: Normal serum calcium is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL (or 8.0-10.0 depending on
source). 8.0 is slightly low but often considered low normal; actually, 8.0 is below
normal (8.5-10.5). So it's hypocalcemia. I'll correct: normal is 8.5-10.5; 8.0 is
hypocalcemia.
10. Which food is high in potassium and should be included in the diet of a patient
with hypokalemia?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
3
, C. Grapes
D. Rice
Answer: A. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, and avocados are high in potassium.
Apples and rice are low.
11. A patient with hypernatremia would most likely exhibit:
A. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
B. Muscle cramps and paresthesia
C. Weakness and confusion
D. Nausea and vomiting
Answer: A. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia (Na+ > 145) causes thirst, dry mucous membranes,
restlessness, and confusion due to cellular dehydration.
12. The nurse is administering IV potassium. Which action is correct?
A. Administer IV push
B. Dilute and infuse slowly via IV infusion
C. Administer as a bolus
D. Mix with other medications
Answer: B. Dilute and infuse slowly via IV infusion
Rationale: IV potassium must be diluted and infused slowly (no more than 10
mEq/hr peripherally, 20 mEq/hr centrally) to prevent cardiac arrest. Never give IV
push.
13. A patient's serum magnesium level is 1.2 mEq/L. This is:
A. Normal
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Critical
Answer: B. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Normal magnesium is 1.5-2.5 mEq/L. 1.2 is below normal.
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