NSG 3100 Exam 4 – 300 New Questions and
Correct Answers 2026-2027 | 100% Correct – Galen
College of Nursing
This comprehensive study guide contains 300 verified questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales for NSG 3100 Exam 4 at Galen College of Nursing.
The questions cover essential topics including Fluid and Electrolyte Balance,
Nutrition and GI Intubation, Oxygenation, Cardiovascular Disorders, Respiratory
Disorders, Hematologic Disorders, Perioperative Care, and Pain Management .
SECTION 1: FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE (Questions 1-50)
Question 1: When a client's serum sodium level is 120 mEq/L, the priority nursing
assessment is to monitor the status of which body system?
A) Cardiac
B) Respiratory
C) Neurological
D) Renal
Correct Answer: C) Neurological
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (sodium < 125 mEq/L) causes water to shift into
brain cells, leading to cerebral edema. Neurologic changes like confusion,
seizures, and coma are the primary concerns .
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who has had diarrhea for 48 hours and
has developed fatigue, muscle weakness, and an irregular pulse. Which laboratory
result should the nurse correlate with these signs and symptoms?
A) Serum phosphate of 4.0 mEq/L
B) Serum magnesium of 2.0 mEq/L
C) Serum calcium of 9.5 mEq/L
D) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
,Correct Answer: D) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Prolonged diarrhea causes significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia
(normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) results in fatigue, muscle weakness, leg cramps, and
cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular pulse) .
Question 3: One of the first indications of fluid volume deficit is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Tachycardia
D) Increased urine output
Correct Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory mechanism in fluid volume
deficit. The heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output when circulating blood
volume decreases. This occurs before blood pressure drops significantly .
Question 4: The single best indicator of a client's fluid status is:
A) Skin turgor
B) Intake and output
C) Daily body weight
D) Urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: C) Daily body weight
Rationale: Daily body weight is the most sensitive measure of fluid balance. A
change of 1 kg corresponds to approximately 1 liter of fluid .
Question 5: Which IV solution is an isotonic solution?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)
B) 0.45% sodium chloride (half-normal saline)
C) 5% dextrose in water (D5W)
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: A) 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)
Rationale: Isotonic solutions have the same osmolality as plasma. Examples
include 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) and lactated Ringer's solution .
, Question 6: A client is receiving a continuous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Which adverse effect is the nurse most likely to monitor for?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Fluid volume overload
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C) Fluid volume overload
Rationale: 0.9% normal saline is isotonic, so it expands intravascular volume.
Clients at risk for fluid volume overload (e.g., with heart failure or renal disease)
should be closely monitored for signs such as crackles in the lungs, dyspnea, and
edema .
Question 7: A client has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. The nurse expects to
find which assessment finding?
A) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
B) Muscle weakness and lethargy
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Nausea and abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: A) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia (sodium > 145 mEq/L) causes cellular dehydration,
leading to intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, oliguria, and neurologic
changes such as restlessness and confusion .
Question 8: A client has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse should
assess for which of the following?
A) Elevated T waves on ECG
B) Increased deep tendon reflexes
C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
Correct Answers 2026-2027 | 100% Correct – Galen
College of Nursing
This comprehensive study guide contains 300 verified questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales for NSG 3100 Exam 4 at Galen College of Nursing.
The questions cover essential topics including Fluid and Electrolyte Balance,
Nutrition and GI Intubation, Oxygenation, Cardiovascular Disorders, Respiratory
Disorders, Hematologic Disorders, Perioperative Care, and Pain Management .
SECTION 1: FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE (Questions 1-50)
Question 1: When a client's serum sodium level is 120 mEq/L, the priority nursing
assessment is to monitor the status of which body system?
A) Cardiac
B) Respiratory
C) Neurological
D) Renal
Correct Answer: C) Neurological
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (sodium < 125 mEq/L) causes water to shift into
brain cells, leading to cerebral edema. Neurologic changes like confusion,
seizures, and coma are the primary concerns .
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who has had diarrhea for 48 hours and
has developed fatigue, muscle weakness, and an irregular pulse. Which laboratory
result should the nurse correlate with these signs and symptoms?
A) Serum phosphate of 4.0 mEq/L
B) Serum magnesium of 2.0 mEq/L
C) Serum calcium of 9.5 mEq/L
D) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
,Correct Answer: D) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Prolonged diarrhea causes significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia
(normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) results in fatigue, muscle weakness, leg cramps, and
cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular pulse) .
Question 3: One of the first indications of fluid volume deficit is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Tachycardia
D) Increased urine output
Correct Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory mechanism in fluid volume
deficit. The heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output when circulating blood
volume decreases. This occurs before blood pressure drops significantly .
Question 4: The single best indicator of a client's fluid status is:
A) Skin turgor
B) Intake and output
C) Daily body weight
D) Urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: C) Daily body weight
Rationale: Daily body weight is the most sensitive measure of fluid balance. A
change of 1 kg corresponds to approximately 1 liter of fluid .
Question 5: Which IV solution is an isotonic solution?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)
B) 0.45% sodium chloride (half-normal saline)
C) 5% dextrose in water (D5W)
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: A) 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)
Rationale: Isotonic solutions have the same osmolality as plasma. Examples
include 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) and lactated Ringer's solution .
, Question 6: A client is receiving a continuous infusion of 0.9% normal saline.
Which adverse effect is the nurse most likely to monitor for?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Fluid volume overload
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C) Fluid volume overload
Rationale: 0.9% normal saline is isotonic, so it expands intravascular volume.
Clients at risk for fluid volume overload (e.g., with heart failure or renal disease)
should be closely monitored for signs such as crackles in the lungs, dyspnea, and
edema .
Question 7: A client has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. The nurse expects to
find which assessment finding?
A) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
B) Muscle weakness and lethargy
C) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
D) Nausea and abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: A) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia (sodium > 145 mEq/L) causes cellular dehydration,
leading to intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, oliguria, and neurologic
changes such as restlessness and confusion .
Question 8: A client has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse should
assess for which of the following?
A) Elevated T waves on ECG
B) Increased deep tendon reflexes
C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
