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NSG 3100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE TEST 100+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTES
1. A client has a serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which ECG
finding should the nurse expect?
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves and widened QRS
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST depression only
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS, and can lead to ventricular fibrillation.
2. Which of the following is a sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Positive Chvostek's sign and tetany
B. Constipation and lethargy
C. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D. Muscle weakness only
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular excitability—
Chvostek's/Trousseau's signs, tetany.
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3. A client with a serum sodium of 125 mEq/L is at risk for:
A. Seizures and cerebral edema
B. Constipation only
C. Hypertension
D. Muscle weakness only
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema,
seizures, and coma.
4. Which food should a client with hyperkalemia avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White bread
D. Rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium.
5. A client with prolonged vomiting is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
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Answer: B
Rationale: Vomiting loses gastric hydrochloric acid, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which ABG result indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 26
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 40, HCO3 28
Answer: A
Rationale: Low pH, low HCO3 with normal/low PaCO2 =
metabolic acidosis.
7. A client is hyperventilating due to anxiety. Which imbalance is
expected?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation blows off CO2, causing respiratory
alkalosis.
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8. Which of the following is a cause of respiratory acidosis?
A. COPD with CO2 retention
B. Hyperventilation
C. Prolonged vomiting
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention,
leading to respiratory acidosis.
9. A client with nasogastric suction is at risk for:
A. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypercalcemia only
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suction removes HCl and potassium, causing
hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
10. Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume deficit?
A. Dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, and hypotension
B. Crackles, edema, and JVD
C. Weight gain
D. Hypertension only
NSG 3100 EXAM 3 PRACTICE TEST 100+ Questions with Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTES
1. A client has a serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which ECG
finding should the nurse expect?
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves and widened QRS
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST depression only
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS, and can lead to ventricular fibrillation.
2. Which of the following is a sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Positive Chvostek's sign and tetany
B. Constipation and lethargy
C. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D. Muscle weakness only
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular excitability—
Chvostek's/Trousseau's signs, tetany.
, Page |2
3. A client with a serum sodium of 125 mEq/L is at risk for:
A. Seizures and cerebral edema
B. Constipation only
C. Hypertension
D. Muscle weakness only
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema,
seizures, and coma.
4. Which food should a client with hyperkalemia avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White bread
D. Rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium.
5. A client with prolonged vomiting is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
, Page |3
Answer: B
Rationale: Vomiting loses gastric hydrochloric acid, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which ABG result indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 26
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 40, HCO3 28
Answer: A
Rationale: Low pH, low HCO3 with normal/low PaCO2 =
metabolic acidosis.
7. A client is hyperventilating due to anxiety. Which imbalance is
expected?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation blows off CO2, causing respiratory
alkalosis.
, Page |4
8. Which of the following is a cause of respiratory acidosis?
A. COPD with CO2 retention
B. Hyperventilation
C. Prolonged vomiting
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention,
leading to respiratory acidosis.
9. A client with nasogastric suction is at risk for:
A. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypercalcemia only
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suction removes HCl and potassium, causing
hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
10. Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume deficit?
A. Dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, and hypotension
B. Crackles, edema, and JVD
C. Weight gain
D. Hypertension only
