NU 170 EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram
(ECG) finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall,
peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex. U waves and flat T waves are indicative of
hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
,C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (> 45
mmHg) matches the acidic pH, confirming respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within the
normal range, indicating no compensation.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Muscle weakness and lethargy
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
D. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular irritability. A positive
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) and Chvostek’s
sign are classic indicators.
4. A patient is receiving an intravenous infusion of 0.45% Sodium Chloride. What type of
solution is this?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypotonic
, C. Colloid
D. Hypertonic
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is a hypotonic
solution, which has a lower osmolarity than plasma and causes fluid to move into the cells.
5. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of fluid volume deficit?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Bounding pulse
C. Peripheral edema
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fluid volume deficit (dehydration) leads to decreased
circulating volume, resulting in orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
The other options are signs of fluid volume excess.
6. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s wound and notes the presence of beefy red tissue that
bleeds easily. The nurse documents this as:
A. Slough
B. Granulation tissue
C. Eschar
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. GALEN
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram
(ECG) finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall,
peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex. U waves and flat T waves are indicative of
hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
,C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (> 45
mmHg) matches the acidic pH, confirming respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within the
normal range, indicating no compensation.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Muscle weakness and lethargy
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
D. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular irritability. A positive
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) and Chvostek’s
sign are classic indicators.
4. A patient is receiving an intravenous infusion of 0.45% Sodium Chloride. What type of
solution is this?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypotonic
, C. Colloid
D. Hypertonic
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is a hypotonic
solution, which has a lower osmolarity than plasma and causes fluid to move into the cells.
5. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of fluid volume deficit?
A. Distended neck veins
B. Bounding pulse
C. Peripheral edema
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fluid volume deficit (dehydration) leads to decreased
circulating volume, resulting in orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
The other options are signs of fluid volume excess.
6. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s wound and notes the presence of beefy red tissue that
bleeds easily. The nurse documents this as:
A. Slough
B. Granulation tissue
C. Eschar
