ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES GALEN
COLLEGE NURSING 2026 FINAL
PAPER PRACTICE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS ACCURATE A+
◉ The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of the
following is this pt at risk for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist within the cell
cytoplasm & nucleus. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid
within the cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell,
including the interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell,
including the interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
,◉ A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the
symptoms of tachycardia, pale, cool skin, & decreased urine output. The
nurse realizes these findings are most likely a direct result of which of
the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory reactions within
the body are responsible for the symptoms exhibited. The body naturally
attempts to conserve fluid internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is
contraindicated.
Rationale 3: Rapidly infused intravenous fluids would not cause a
decrease in urine output.
Rationale 4: The manifestations reported are not indicative of cardiac
failure in this pt.
◉ A pregnant pt is admitted with excessive thirst, increased urination, &
has a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. The nurse chooses which
of the following nursing diagnoses as most appropriate?
1. Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
2. Excess Fluid Volume
,3. Imbalanced Nutrition
4. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The pt with excessive thirst, increased urination & a
medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus is at risk for Imbalanced Fluid
Volume due to the pt &'s excess volume loss that can increase the serum
levels of sodium.
Rationale 2: Excess Fluid Volume is not an issue for pts with diabetes
insipidus, especially during the early stages of treatment.
Rationale 3: Imbalanced Nutrition does not apply.
Rationale 4: Ineffective Tissue Perfusion does not apply
◉ A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter. The
nurse would contact the pt's primary healthcare provider with which of
the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be reported
to the primary healthcare provider. This indicates inadequate renal
perfusion, placing the pt at increased risk for acute renal failure &
inadequate tissue perfusion. A minimum of 720 mL over a 24-hour
, period is desired (30 mL multiplied by 24 hours equals 720 mL per 24
hours).
◉ A pt is receiving intravenous fluids postoperatively following cardiac
surgery. Nursing assessments should focus on which postoperative
complication?
1. fluid volume excess
2. fluid volume deficit
3. seizure activity
4. liver failure.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Antidiuretic hormone & aldosterone levels are commonly
increased following the stress response before, during, & immediately
after surgery. This increase leads to sodium & water retention. Adding
more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess & stress upon
the heart & circulatory system.
Rationale 2: Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume
excess, not fluid volume deficit, & stress upon the heart & circulatory
system.
Rationale 3: Seizure activity would more commonly be associated with
electrolyte imbalances.
Rationale 4: Liver failure is not anticipated related to postoperative
intravenous fluid administration.
◉ A pt is diagnosed with severe hyponatremia. The nurse realizes this pt
will mostly likely need which of the following precautions
implemented?
COLLEGE NURSING 2026 FINAL
PAPER PRACTICE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS ACCURATE A+
◉ The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of the
following is this pt at risk for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist within the cell
cytoplasm & nucleus. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid
within the cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell,
including the interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell,
including the interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
,◉ A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the
symptoms of tachycardia, pale, cool skin, & decreased urine output. The
nurse realizes these findings are most likely a direct result of which of
the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory reactions within
the body are responsible for the symptoms exhibited. The body naturally
attempts to conserve fluid internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is
contraindicated.
Rationale 3: Rapidly infused intravenous fluids would not cause a
decrease in urine output.
Rationale 4: The manifestations reported are not indicative of cardiac
failure in this pt.
◉ A pregnant pt is admitted with excessive thirst, increased urination, &
has a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. The nurse chooses which
of the following nursing diagnoses as most appropriate?
1. Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
2. Excess Fluid Volume
,3. Imbalanced Nutrition
4. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The pt with excessive thirst, increased urination & a
medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus is at risk for Imbalanced Fluid
Volume due to the pt &'s excess volume loss that can increase the serum
levels of sodium.
Rationale 2: Excess Fluid Volume is not an issue for pts with diabetes
insipidus, especially during the early stages of treatment.
Rationale 3: Imbalanced Nutrition does not apply.
Rationale 4: Ineffective Tissue Perfusion does not apply
◉ A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter. The
nurse would contact the pt's primary healthcare provider with which of
the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be reported
to the primary healthcare provider. This indicates inadequate renal
perfusion, placing the pt at increased risk for acute renal failure &
inadequate tissue perfusion. A minimum of 720 mL over a 24-hour
, period is desired (30 mL multiplied by 24 hours equals 720 mL per 24
hours).
◉ A pt is receiving intravenous fluids postoperatively following cardiac
surgery. Nursing assessments should focus on which postoperative
complication?
1. fluid volume excess
2. fluid volume deficit
3. seizure activity
4. liver failure.
Answer: Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Antidiuretic hormone & aldosterone levels are commonly
increased following the stress response before, during, & immediately
after surgery. This increase leads to sodium & water retention. Adding
more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess & stress upon
the heart & circulatory system.
Rationale 2: Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume
excess, not fluid volume deficit, & stress upon the heart & circulatory
system.
Rationale 3: Seizure activity would more commonly be associated with
electrolyte imbalances.
Rationale 4: Liver failure is not anticipated related to postoperative
intravenous fluid administration.
◉ A pt is diagnosed with severe hyponatremia. The nurse realizes this pt
will mostly likely need which of the following precautions
implemented?
