Introduction to Health Care Concepts
San Antonio College | RNSG 1128
Exam 2 Examination 2026-2027.
Name: __________________________________________ Date: __________________
Instructions: Select the one best answer for each question. Answers and rationales are provided after each
item for review.
1. A nurse explains that dissolved particles move from an area of greater concentration to an area
of lower concentration. Which process is being described?
A: Filtration
B: Osmosis
C: Diffusion
D: Oncotic pressure
✓ Correct answer: C. Diffusion
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of particles down their concentration gradient, from high to low
concentration.
2. Water moves across a membrane toward the compartment with the higher solute concentration.
Which process explains this movement?
A: Osmosis
B: Active transport
C: Diffusion
D: Filtration
✓ Correct answer: A. Osmosis
Rationale: The source defines osmosis as fluid movement from lower solute concentration toward higher
solute concentration.
3. A student is asked what oncotic pressure does at the capillary. Which explanation matches the
study guide?
A: It traps all fluid in the intracellular compartment
B: It pulls fluid from tissue space into the vascular space
C: It pushes fluid out of vessels solely through cardiac contraction
D: It moves solutes from high to low concentration
✓ Correct answer: B. It pulls fluid from tissue space into the vascular space
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is exerted by proteins such as albumin and draws fluid into the vascular space.
Reduced oncotic pressure favors interstitial edema.
4. A nurse describes pressure created by fluid against the wall containing it, including the effect of
cardiac contraction in blood vessels. Which term applies?
A: Oncotic pressure
B: Tonicity
C: Hydrostatic pressure
D: Osmolality
✓ Correct answer: C. Hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure of fluid against its containing wall and in vessels reflects
fluid weight and cardiac contraction.
RNSG 1128 | Exam 2 | Page 1
, 5. Which description best distinguishes third spacing from ordinary interstitial edema?
A: Fluid moves from a high to a low concentration
B: Excess fluid accumulates only within circulating plasma
C: Fluid is normally distributed between ICF and ECF
D: Fluid is trapped and unavailable for functional use, as in ascites
✓ Correct answer: D. Fluid is trapped and unavailable for functional use, as in ascites
Rationale: The study guide describes third spacing as trapped fluid unavailable for use, such as ascites,
and notes that it may produce signs of volume deficit.
6. A patient has ascites, falling urine output, tachycardia, and low blood pressure. Why can this
occur despite visible fluid accumulation?
A: Third-spaced fluid is not available for functional circulation
B: Ascites always indicates adequate intravascular volume
C: Oncotic pressure has increased circulating volume
D: Fluid has moved into cells through diffusion
✓ Correct answer: A. Third-spaced fluid is not available for functional circulation
Rationale: Third spacing sequesters fluid outside its functional compartment and can produce hypovolemia,
decreased urine output, increased heart rate, and low BP/CVP.
7. A patient's renal perfusion falls. Which sequence correctly describes activation of the RAAS
pathway in the blueprint?
A: ANP forms angiotensin II, which suppresses renin and releases aldosterone
B: ADH converts angiotensinogen directly into aldosterone
C: Renin leads to angiotensin I, ACE forms angiotensin II, then aldosterone is stimulated
D: Calcitonin stimulates ACE to form renin
✓ Correct answer: C. Renin leads to angiotensin I, ACE forms angiotensin II, then aldosterone is
stimulated
Rationale: The blueprint describes renin converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, ACE converting it to
angiotensin II, and angiotensin II stimulating aldosterone secretion.
8. Aldosterone secretion increases. Which paired renal effect should the nurse expect?
A: Potassium and water retention with sodium loss
B: Excretion of sodium, water, and potassium
C: Sodium and water loss with potassium retention
D: Sodium and water retention with potassium loss
✓ Correct answer: D. Sodium and water retention with potassium loss
Rationale: The blueprint states that increased aldosterone promotes sodium and water reabsorption and
potassium excretion.
9. A patient has fluid overload and atrial distention. Which hormone response is described in the
blueprint?
A: Aldosterone increases sodium retention
B: Renin reduces sodium excretion
C: ANP promotes sodium and water excretion
D: ADH increases water retention
✓ Correct answer: C. ANP promotes sodium and water excretion
Rationale: ANP is released in response to cardiac distention from overload and opposes ADH/RAAS effects
by promoting sodium and water excretion.
RNSG 1128 | Exam 2 | Page 2
San Antonio College | RNSG 1128
Exam 2 Examination 2026-2027.
Name: __________________________________________ Date: __________________
Instructions: Select the one best answer for each question. Answers and rationales are provided after each
item for review.
1. A nurse explains that dissolved particles move from an area of greater concentration to an area
of lower concentration. Which process is being described?
A: Filtration
B: Osmosis
C: Diffusion
D: Oncotic pressure
✓ Correct answer: C. Diffusion
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of particles down their concentration gradient, from high to low
concentration.
2. Water moves across a membrane toward the compartment with the higher solute concentration.
Which process explains this movement?
A: Osmosis
B: Active transport
C: Diffusion
D: Filtration
✓ Correct answer: A. Osmosis
Rationale: The source defines osmosis as fluid movement from lower solute concentration toward higher
solute concentration.
3. A student is asked what oncotic pressure does at the capillary. Which explanation matches the
study guide?
A: It traps all fluid in the intracellular compartment
B: It pulls fluid from tissue space into the vascular space
C: It pushes fluid out of vessels solely through cardiac contraction
D: It moves solutes from high to low concentration
✓ Correct answer: B. It pulls fluid from tissue space into the vascular space
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is exerted by proteins such as albumin and draws fluid into the vascular space.
Reduced oncotic pressure favors interstitial edema.
4. A nurse describes pressure created by fluid against the wall containing it, including the effect of
cardiac contraction in blood vessels. Which term applies?
A: Oncotic pressure
B: Tonicity
C: Hydrostatic pressure
D: Osmolality
✓ Correct answer: C. Hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure of fluid against its containing wall and in vessels reflects
fluid weight and cardiac contraction.
RNSG 1128 | Exam 2 | Page 1
, 5. Which description best distinguishes third spacing from ordinary interstitial edema?
A: Fluid moves from a high to a low concentration
B: Excess fluid accumulates only within circulating plasma
C: Fluid is normally distributed between ICF and ECF
D: Fluid is trapped and unavailable for functional use, as in ascites
✓ Correct answer: D. Fluid is trapped and unavailable for functional use, as in ascites
Rationale: The study guide describes third spacing as trapped fluid unavailable for use, such as ascites,
and notes that it may produce signs of volume deficit.
6. A patient has ascites, falling urine output, tachycardia, and low blood pressure. Why can this
occur despite visible fluid accumulation?
A: Third-spaced fluid is not available for functional circulation
B: Ascites always indicates adequate intravascular volume
C: Oncotic pressure has increased circulating volume
D: Fluid has moved into cells through diffusion
✓ Correct answer: A. Third-spaced fluid is not available for functional circulation
Rationale: Third spacing sequesters fluid outside its functional compartment and can produce hypovolemia,
decreased urine output, increased heart rate, and low BP/CVP.
7. A patient's renal perfusion falls. Which sequence correctly describes activation of the RAAS
pathway in the blueprint?
A: ANP forms angiotensin II, which suppresses renin and releases aldosterone
B: ADH converts angiotensinogen directly into aldosterone
C: Renin leads to angiotensin I, ACE forms angiotensin II, then aldosterone is stimulated
D: Calcitonin stimulates ACE to form renin
✓ Correct answer: C. Renin leads to angiotensin I, ACE forms angiotensin II, then aldosterone is
stimulated
Rationale: The blueprint describes renin converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, ACE converting it to
angiotensin II, and angiotensin II stimulating aldosterone secretion.
8. Aldosterone secretion increases. Which paired renal effect should the nurse expect?
A: Potassium and water retention with sodium loss
B: Excretion of sodium, water, and potassium
C: Sodium and water loss with potassium retention
D: Sodium and water retention with potassium loss
✓ Correct answer: D. Sodium and water retention with potassium loss
Rationale: The blueprint states that increased aldosterone promotes sodium and water reabsorption and
potassium excretion.
9. A patient has fluid overload and atrial distention. Which hormone response is described in the
blueprint?
A: Aldosterone increases sodium retention
B: Renin reduces sodium excretion
C: ANP promotes sodium and water excretion
D: ADH increases water retention
✓ Correct answer: C. ANP promotes sodium and water excretion
Rationale: ANP is released in response to cardiac distention from overload and opposes ADH/RAAS effects
by promoting sodium and water excretion.
RNSG 1128 | Exam 2 | Page 2
