NUR 555 Quiz 1 | Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale | New Update
2026-2027 | SNHU
Question 1 1..2 points
A patient in the hospital has hypernatremia. What condition should the healthcare professional assess for? Select one.
Question options:
a) Brief bouts of vomiting or diarrhea
b) Excessive diuretic therapy
c) Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
d) Hypersecretion of aldosterone
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Hypernatremia occurs because of (1) inadequate free water intake, (2) inappropriate administration of hypertonic saline solution (e.g.,
sodium bicarbonate for treatment of acidosis during cardiac arrest), (3) high sodium levels as a result of over secretion of aldosterone (as in
primary hyperaldosteronism), or (4) Cushing syndrome (caused by the excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], which also
causes increased secretion of aldosterone). The other options do not result in hypernatremia. The healthcare professional should assess the
patient for hypersecretion of aldosterone.
Question 2 1..2 points
During acidosis, the body compensates for the increase in serum hydrogen ions by shifting hydrogen ions into the cell in exchange
for which electrolyte? Select one. Question options:
a) Potassium
b) Magnesium
c) Sodium
d) Oxygen
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In states of acidosis, hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for intracellular fluid potassium; hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore
often occur together. This is not true of the other options.
Question 3 1..2 points
A patient has a serum sodium level of 165 mEq/L. The healthcare professional explains that the clinical manifestations of
confusion, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma are caused by what mechanism? Select one. Question options:
a) Low sodium in the blood vessels draws chloride into the brain cells followed by water, causing the brain cells to swell.
b) High sodium in the brain cells pulls water out of the blood vessels into the brain cells, causing them to swell.
c) High sodium in the blood vessels pulls water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels, causing brain cells to shrink.
d) Low sodium in the blood vessels pulls potassium out of the brain cells, which slows the synapses in the brain.
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A normal serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L so this patient's level is high. Hypernatremia causes manifestations by pulling water out of
the brain cells into the blood vessels.
Question 4 1..2 points
A patient has a history of excessive use of magnesium-containing antacids and aluminum-containing antacids. What lab value does
the healthcare professional correlate to this behavior? Select one. Question options:
a) Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
b) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
c) Phosphate 1.9 mg/dL
d) Sodium 149 mEq/L
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Excessive use of magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing antacids can lead to hypophosphatemia,
which is a serum level less than 2 mg/dL. The magnesium level is normal, but magnesium is not related. The sodium level is high, but that is
not related. The potassium level is low, but this is also not related.
2026-2027 | SNHU
Question 1 1..2 points
A patient in the hospital has hypernatremia. What condition should the healthcare professional assess for? Select one.
Question options:
a) Brief bouts of vomiting or diarrhea
b) Excessive diuretic therapy
c) Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
d) Hypersecretion of aldosterone
Hide question 1 feedback
Feedback
Hypernatremia occurs because of (1) inadequate free water intake, (2) inappropriate administration of hypertonic saline solution (e.g.,
sodium bicarbonate for treatment of acidosis during cardiac arrest), (3) high sodium levels as a result of over secretion of aldosterone (as in
primary hyperaldosteronism), or (4) Cushing syndrome (caused by the excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], which also
causes increased secretion of aldosterone). The other options do not result in hypernatremia. The healthcare professional should assess the
patient for hypersecretion of aldosterone.
Question 2 1..2 points
During acidosis, the body compensates for the increase in serum hydrogen ions by shifting hydrogen ions into the cell in exchange
for which electrolyte? Select one. Question options:
a) Potassium
b) Magnesium
c) Sodium
d) Oxygen
Hide question 2 feedback
, Feedback
In states of acidosis, hydrogen ions shift into the cells in exchange for intracellular fluid potassium; hyperkalemia and acidosis therefore
often occur together. This is not true of the other options.
Question 3 1..2 points
A patient has a serum sodium level of 165 mEq/L. The healthcare professional explains that the clinical manifestations of
confusion, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma are caused by what mechanism? Select one. Question options:
a) Low sodium in the blood vessels draws chloride into the brain cells followed by water, causing the brain cells to swell.
b) High sodium in the brain cells pulls water out of the blood vessels into the brain cells, causing them to swell.
c) High sodium in the blood vessels pulls water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels, causing brain cells to shrink.
d) Low sodium in the blood vessels pulls potassium out of the brain cells, which slows the synapses in the brain.
Hide question 3 feedback
Feedback
A normal serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L so this patient's level is high. Hypernatremia causes manifestations by pulling water out of
the brain cells into the blood vessels.
Question 4 1..2 points
A patient has a history of excessive use of magnesium-containing antacids and aluminum-containing antacids. What lab value does
the healthcare professional correlate to this behavior? Select one. Question options:
a) Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
b) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
c) Phosphate 1.9 mg/dL
d) Sodium 149 mEq/L
Hide question 4 feedback
Feedback
Excessive use of magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing antacids can lead to hypophosphatemia,
which is a serum level less than 2 mg/dL. The magnesium level is normal, but magnesium is not related. The sodium level is high, but that is
not related. The potassium level is low, but this is also not related.
