NUR 170
NUR 170 Exam 1: Fluid Volume Overload & Electrolyte
Imbalances Questions & Verified Answers and Full Deep Expert
Rationales | Latest (2026/2027) Updated Version – Galen College of
Nursing
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
❖NUR 170 Exam 1
❖Fluid Volume Overload & Electrolyte Imbalance
❖Questions & Verified Answers and Full Deep Expert
Rationales
❖Galen College of Nursing
❖Latest (2026/2027) Updated Version
❖100% Guaranteed Pass
,NCLEX-Style Questions (with SATA,
Answers, Rationales) exam 1 NUR170
Fluid Volume Overload/Deficit + IV Fluids
1. Best indicator of fluid volume overload (FVO) is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Dependent edema
C. Daily weight
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight is the most sensitive indicator of fluid changes (1 kg ≈ 1 L).
BP/edema/pulse can lag or be influenced by other factors.
2. A patient has crackles, dyspnea, edema, and elevated BP. Which additional lab
trend supports FVO?
A. Increased hematocrit
B. Increased urine specific gravity
C. Decreased serum sodium
D. Increased BUN
Answer: C
Rationale: FVO causes hemodilution → ↓ hematocrit, ↓ serum sodium, ↓ urine specific gravity.
Increased Hct/USG suggest dehydration.
3. SATA: Which conditions increase risk for FVO?
A. CHF
B. SIADH
C. Corticosteroid therapy
D. Vomiting
E. ESRD
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: CHF/ESRD retain fluid; SIADH causes water retention; steroids retain sodium/water.
Vomiting typically causes FVD.
,4. A patient with suspected FVD is MOST likely to have:
A. Hypertension and bounding pulse
B. Increased HR and decreased BP
C. Decreased BUN and decreased sodium
D. Crackles and decreased Hct
Answer: B
Rationale: FVD = tachycardia, hypotension, dry mucosa, low UOP; labs show
hemoconcentration (↑ Hct, ↑ BUN, ↑ Na, ↑ USG).
5. SATA: Which findings support FVD (dehydration)?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Increased BUN
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Lethargy
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Dehydration concentrates urine → ↑ USG, not decreased. Orthostasis is common in
volume depletion.
6. A provider orders an IV fluid for intracellular dehydration. Which is most
appropriate?
A. 3% NaCl
B. 0.45% NaCl
C. D5NS
D. Lactated Ringer’s
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotonic fluids (0.45% NS) shift water into cells (intracellular space). Hypertonic
pulls water out of cells.
7. Which IV fluid order should the nurse question for a patient with cerebral
edema?
, A. 3% NaCl
B. D5LR
C. 0.45% NaCl
D. TPN
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotonic fluids worsen cerebral edema by shifting water into cells. Hypertonic
solutions are used to reduce cerebral edema.
8. SATA: Which solutions are considered hypertonic?
A. 0.9% NS
B. D5 0.9% NS
C. 3% NS
D. LR
E. TPN
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: D5NS and 3% NS are hypertonic; TPN is hypertonic. 0.9% NS and LR are isotonic.
Sodium Disorders
9. A patient with hyponatremia is confused and has muscle twitching. Which
intervention is safest FIRST for mild hyponatremia?
A. 3% hypertonic saline rapid infusion
B. Fluid restriction
C. Loop diuretic + normal saline bolus
D. Encourage free water intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild hyponatremia (often dilutional) is treated first with fluid restriction.
Hypertonic saline is for severe/critical and must be corrected slowly.
10. SATA: Severe hyponatremia can progress to which complications?
A. Seizures
B. Ataxia
C. Psychosis
NUR 170 Exam 1: Fluid Volume Overload & Electrolyte
Imbalances Questions & Verified Answers and Full Deep Expert
Rationales | Latest (2026/2027) Updated Version – Galen College of
Nursing
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
❖NUR 170 Exam 1
❖Fluid Volume Overload & Electrolyte Imbalance
❖Questions & Verified Answers and Full Deep Expert
Rationales
❖Galen College of Nursing
❖Latest (2026/2027) Updated Version
❖100% Guaranteed Pass
,NCLEX-Style Questions (with SATA,
Answers, Rationales) exam 1 NUR170
Fluid Volume Overload/Deficit + IV Fluids
1. Best indicator of fluid volume overload (FVO) is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Dependent edema
C. Daily weight
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight is the most sensitive indicator of fluid changes (1 kg ≈ 1 L).
BP/edema/pulse can lag or be influenced by other factors.
2. A patient has crackles, dyspnea, edema, and elevated BP. Which additional lab
trend supports FVO?
A. Increased hematocrit
B. Increased urine specific gravity
C. Decreased serum sodium
D. Increased BUN
Answer: C
Rationale: FVO causes hemodilution → ↓ hematocrit, ↓ serum sodium, ↓ urine specific gravity.
Increased Hct/USG suggest dehydration.
3. SATA: Which conditions increase risk for FVO?
A. CHF
B. SIADH
C. Corticosteroid therapy
D. Vomiting
E. ESRD
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: CHF/ESRD retain fluid; SIADH causes water retention; steroids retain sodium/water.
Vomiting typically causes FVD.
,4. A patient with suspected FVD is MOST likely to have:
A. Hypertension and bounding pulse
B. Increased HR and decreased BP
C. Decreased BUN and decreased sodium
D. Crackles and decreased Hct
Answer: B
Rationale: FVD = tachycardia, hypotension, dry mucosa, low UOP; labs show
hemoconcentration (↑ Hct, ↑ BUN, ↑ Na, ↑ USG).
5. SATA: Which findings support FVD (dehydration)?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Increased BUN
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Lethargy
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Dehydration concentrates urine → ↑ USG, not decreased. Orthostasis is common in
volume depletion.
6. A provider orders an IV fluid for intracellular dehydration. Which is most
appropriate?
A. 3% NaCl
B. 0.45% NaCl
C. D5NS
D. Lactated Ringer’s
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotonic fluids (0.45% NS) shift water into cells (intracellular space). Hypertonic
pulls water out of cells.
7. Which IV fluid order should the nurse question for a patient with cerebral
edema?
, A. 3% NaCl
B. D5LR
C. 0.45% NaCl
D. TPN
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotonic fluids worsen cerebral edema by shifting water into cells. Hypertonic
solutions are used to reduce cerebral edema.
8. SATA: Which solutions are considered hypertonic?
A. 0.9% NS
B. D5 0.9% NS
C. 3% NS
D. LR
E. TPN
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: D5NS and 3% NS are hypertonic; TPN is hypertonic. 0.9% NS and LR are isotonic.
Sodium Disorders
9. A patient with hyponatremia is confused and has muscle twitching. Which
intervention is safest FIRST for mild hyponatremia?
A. 3% hypertonic saline rapid infusion
B. Fluid restriction
C. Loop diuretic + normal saline bolus
D. Encourage free water intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild hyponatremia (often dilutional) is treated first with fluid restriction.
Hypertonic saline is for severe/critical and must be corrected slowly.
10. SATA: Severe hyponatremia can progress to which complications?
A. Seizures
B. Ataxia
C. Psychosis
