NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study
Guide 2026 UPDATE |GCU
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Confusion and lethargy
B. Increased thirst and dry mucous membranes
C. Hyporeflexia and muscle weakness
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias and peaked T-waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to
cerebral edema, confusion, and lethargy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which type of intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume
expansion?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
D. Dextrose 5% in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution, meaning it has the same osmolarity
as serum and stays in the intravascular space. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
3. In the preoperative phase, who is ultimately responsible for obtaining the patient’s informed
consent for surgery?
A. The registered nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The charge nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure (the surgeon) is responsible for explaining the procedure
and obtaining consent; the nurse only witnesses the signature. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient’s arterial blood gas results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (> 45) indicates respiratory acidosis. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating room just before
the incision?
A. To ensure all surgical equipment is sterile
B. To allow the anesthesia to take full effect
C. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
D. To count the sponges and needles
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘Time-Out’ is a safety protocol to prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-person
surgery. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making
a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient is experiencing hypokalemia. Which food should the nurse encourage the patient to
consume?
A. White bread
B. Bananas
C. Apples
D. Cottage cheese
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium, which is necessary to correct hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study
Guide 2026 UPDATE |GCU
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Confusion and lethargy
B. Increased thirst and dry mucous membranes
C. Hyporeflexia and muscle weakness
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias and peaked T-waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to
cerebral edema, confusion, and lethargy. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which type of intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume
expansion?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
D. Dextrose 5% in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution, meaning it has the same osmolarity
as serum and stays in the intravascular space. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
3. In the preoperative phase, who is ultimately responsible for obtaining the patient’s informed
consent for surgery?
A. The registered nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The charge nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure (the surgeon) is responsible for explaining the procedure
and obtaining consent; the nurse only witnesses the signature. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 300 Exam 3 Foundations of Nursing Study Guide 2026 … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient’s arterial blood gas results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (> 45) indicates respiratory acidosis. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating room just before
the incision?
A. To ensure all surgical equipment is sterile
B. To allow the anesthesia to take full effect
C. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
D. To count the sponges and needles
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘Time-Out’ is a safety protocol to prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-person
surgery. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making
a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient is experiencing hypokalemia. Which food should the nurse encourage the patient to
consume?
A. White bread
B. Bananas
C. Apples
D. Cottage cheese
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium, which is necessary to correct hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
