NSG 3100 Exam 4 | Galen College of Nursing | 2026 Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales

NSG3100 x




Exam 4 | Galen College of Nursing | 2026 Practice
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Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
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Resource Features x




➢ NSG 3100 Exam 4 practice questions
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➢ 2026-focused review x




➢ Detailed answers x




➢ Comprehensive rationales x




➢ Nursing clinical scenarios
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➢ Prioritization questions x

, NSG 3100 Exam 4 | Galen College of Nursing | 2026
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Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
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1. Which client is at greatest risk for dehydration?
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A. The younger adult client with immobility
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B. The older adult client receiving hypotonic IV fluid
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C. The younger adult client receiving hypertonic IV fluid
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D. The older adult client with cognitive impairment
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Answer: D x




Rationale: Older adults with cognitive impairment are at greatest risk for
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dehydration because they may forget to drink, be unable to communicate
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thirst, or refuse fluids. Age-related changes include decreased thirst
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sensation and reduced total body water. Younger adults generally have
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better physiological reserves and compensatory mechanisms. Hypotonic IV
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fluids would treat dehydration rather than cause it, and hypertonic IV fluids
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could lead to hypertonic dehydration but are administered in controlled
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settings.
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2. What are the fluid compartment consequences of isotonic
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x dehydration?

A. ECF compartment volume contracts, ICF volume contracts
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B. ECF compartment volume contracts, ICF volume remains the same
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C. ECF compartment volume expands, ICF volume contracts
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D. ECF compartment volume expands, ICF volume remains the same
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,Answer: B x




Rationale: In isotonic dehydration, there is an equal loss of water and
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sodium from the extracellular fluid (ECF) compartment. Because osmolarity
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remains normal, there is no osmotic gradient to cause fluid shifts between
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ECF and intracellular fluid (ICF) compartments. Therefore, the ECF volume
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contracts while the ICF volume remains unchanged. This is the most
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common type of dehydration and typically results from fluid losses such as
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vomiting, diarrhea, or hemorrhage.
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3. What are the fluid compartment consequences of hypertonic
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x dehydration?

A. ECF compartment volume contracts, ICF volume contracts
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B. ECF compartment volume contracts, ICF volume remains the same
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C. ECF compartment volume expands, ICF volume contracts
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D. ECF compartment volume expands, ICF volume remains the same
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Answer: C x




Rationale: In hypertonic dehydration, water loss exceeds sodium loss,
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resulting in increased ECF osmolarity. The hyperosmolar ECF draws water out
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of the ICF compartment into the ECF compartment. This causes the ECF
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volume to initially expand (from the fluid shift) while the ICF volume
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contracts. This condition is often seen in clients with diabetes insipidus,
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excessive sweating, or inadequate water intake.
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4. The client has been diagnosed with hypotonic dehydration. Which
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x assessment finding should the nurse expect? x x x x x

, A. Flattened hand veins when the hand is positioned above the heart
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B. Increased urine output, decreased urine specific gravity
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C. Nonpitting dependent edema
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D. Poor handgrip strength
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Answer: D x




Rationale: Hypotonic dehydration (also called hyponatremic dehydration)
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involves greater sodium loss than water loss, leading to decreased ECF
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osmolarity. Water moves into cells, causing cellular swelling, which can
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impair muscle function including handgrip strength. Flattened hand veins
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may occur in any type of dehydration but are not specific to hypotonic
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dehydration. Increased urine output with decreased specific gravity is not
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typical of dehydration. Nonpitting edema is associated with conditions like
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lymphedema or myxedema, not dehydration.
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5. Which is the most important question the nurse should ask the client
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x who has been diagnosed with isotonic dehydration to identify a
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x possible cause of the fluid imbalance?
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A. "Do you take diuretics or 'water pills'?"
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B. "What and how much do you normally eat over a day's time?"
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C. "How many bowel movements do you usually have each day?"
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D. "Have you or any member of your family been diagnosed with diabetes
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mellitus?"
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Answer: A x