,NU 155 EXAM 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with fluid-volume deficit?
A) Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
B) Bounding pulse and peripheral edema
C) Rapid weight gain
D) Distended neck veins
Correct Answer: A) Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid-volume deficit reduces circulating volume and commonly
causes thirst, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, orthostatic changes,
decreased urine output, and weight loss.
Q2. Which assessment finding most strongly suggests fluid-volume
excess?
A) Flat neck veins
B) Rapid weight gain with peripheral edema
C) Dry tongue
D) Concentrated urine with decreased output
Correct Answer: B) Rapid weight gain with peripheral edema
Rationale: Excess fluid commonly produces edema, weight gain, jugular
venous distention, elevated blood pressure, and pulmonary congestion.
Q3. Which measurement provides one of the most sensitive
indicators of short-term fluid-status change?
A) Height
B) Temperature
C) Daily weight
D) Respiratory depth
Correct Answer: C) Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weight trends are highly sensitive to changes in body
water; rapid changes over a short period often reflect fluid gain or loss.
Q4. Which patient is at greatest risk for fluid-volume deficit?
A) A patient receiving continuous IV fluids
B) A patient with severe vomiting and diarrhea
, C) A patient with dependent edema
D) A patient with heart failure and fluid restriction
Correct Answer: B) A patient with severe vomiting and diarrhea
Rationale: Ongoing gastrointestinal losses can rapidly reduce circulating
volume and cause dehydration.
Q5. Which IV solution is isotonic?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) 0.45% sodium chloride
C) 3% sodium chloride
D) 0.225% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: A) 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic crystalloid that expands
extracellular fluid volume without causing a major fluid shift between
compartments.
Q6. Which IV solution is hypotonic?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) Lactated Ringer's
C) 0.45% sodium chloride
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: C) 0.45% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.45% sodium chloride has a lower osmolality than plasma and
promotes movement of water into cells.
Q7. Which IV solution is hypertonic?
A) Sterile water
B) 0.45% sodium chloride
C) 0.9% sodium chloride
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: D) 3% sodium chloride
Rationale: Hypertonic solutions have a higher osmolality than plasma and
draw water from cells into the extracellular compartment.
Q8. Which complication is a major concern when administering
hypertonic IV solutions?
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which finding is most consistent with fluid-volume deficit?
A) Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
B) Bounding pulse and peripheral edema
C) Rapid weight gain
D) Distended neck veins
Correct Answer: A) Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid-volume deficit reduces circulating volume and commonly
causes thirst, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, orthostatic changes,
decreased urine output, and weight loss.
Q2. Which assessment finding most strongly suggests fluid-volume
excess?
A) Flat neck veins
B) Rapid weight gain with peripheral edema
C) Dry tongue
D) Concentrated urine with decreased output
Correct Answer: B) Rapid weight gain with peripheral edema
Rationale: Excess fluid commonly produces edema, weight gain, jugular
venous distention, elevated blood pressure, and pulmonary congestion.
Q3. Which measurement provides one of the most sensitive
indicators of short-term fluid-status change?
A) Height
B) Temperature
C) Daily weight
D) Respiratory depth
Correct Answer: C) Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weight trends are highly sensitive to changes in body
water; rapid changes over a short period often reflect fluid gain or loss.
Q4. Which patient is at greatest risk for fluid-volume deficit?
A) A patient receiving continuous IV fluids
B) A patient with severe vomiting and diarrhea
, C) A patient with dependent edema
D) A patient with heart failure and fluid restriction
Correct Answer: B) A patient with severe vomiting and diarrhea
Rationale: Ongoing gastrointestinal losses can rapidly reduce circulating
volume and cause dehydration.
Q5. Which IV solution is isotonic?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) 0.45% sodium chloride
C) 3% sodium chloride
D) 0.225% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: A) 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic crystalloid that expands
extracellular fluid volume without causing a major fluid shift between
compartments.
Q6. Which IV solution is hypotonic?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) Lactated Ringer's
C) 0.45% sodium chloride
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: C) 0.45% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.45% sodium chloride has a lower osmolality than plasma and
promotes movement of water into cells.
Q7. Which IV solution is hypertonic?
A) Sterile water
B) 0.45% sodium chloride
C) 0.9% sodium chloride
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: D) 3% sodium chloride
Rationale: Hypertonic solutions have a higher osmolality than plasma and
draw water from cells into the extracellular compartment.
Q8. Which complication is a major concern when administering
hypertonic IV solutions?
