NU 170 EXAM 3 - COMPREHENSIVE
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following
assessment findings should the nurse prioritize?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias and U-waves
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) causes cardiac electrical
instability, potentially leading to fatal dysrhythmias and characteristic U-waves on an ECG.
2. A client’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
,D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
3. When administering a hypertonic intravenous solution, the nurse should monitor for which
clinical manifestation?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Cellular swelling
C. Dehydration of the intravascular space
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertonic solutions pull fluid from the intracellular space into
the vascular space, increasing the risk of fluid volume overload and pulmonary edema.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is the highest
priority?
A. Encourage increased oral water intake
B. Administer hypotonic IV fluids
C. Provide a high-salt snack
, D. Implement seizure precautions
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Severe hyponatremia (< 120 mEq/L) places the client at high
risk for cerebral edema, seizures, and coma.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with hypocalcemia. Which maneuver should the nurse
perform to check for Chvostek’s sign?
A. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear
B. Inflate a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm
C. Palpate the carotid artery
D. Apply pressure to the calf muscle
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve; a positive
response is a twitch of the facial muscles, indicating neuromuscular irritability due to low
calcium.
6. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 UPDATE. GALEN
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following
assessment findings should the nurse prioritize?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias and U-waves
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) causes cardiac electrical
instability, potentially leading to fatal dysrhythmias and characteristic U-waves on an ECG.
2. A client’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
,D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
3. When administering a hypertonic intravenous solution, the nurse should monitor for which
clinical manifestation?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Cellular swelling
C. Dehydration of the intravascular space
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertonic solutions pull fluid from the intracellular space into
the vascular space, increasing the risk of fluid volume overload and pulmonary edema.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is the highest
priority?
A. Encourage increased oral water intake
B. Administer hypotonic IV fluids
C. Provide a high-salt snack
, D. Implement seizure precautions
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Severe hyponatremia (< 120 mEq/L) places the client at high
risk for cerebral edema, seizures, and coma.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with hypocalcemia. Which maneuver should the nurse
perform to check for Chvostek’s sign?
A. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear
B. Inflate a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm
C. Palpate the carotid artery
D. Apply pressure to the calf muscle
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve; a positive
response is a twitch of the facial muscles, indicating neuromuscular irritability due to low
calcium.
6. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
