NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY — EXAM 3 COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
& DETAILED RATIONALES 2026/2027 UPDATE|
BRAND NEW VERSION!!
Fluids, Electrolytes & Acid-Base
1. Which electrolyte is the primary extracellular cation?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium is the major extracellular cation, regulating fluid balance and
osmolarity.
2. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Chloride
D) Bicarbonate
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation, essential for cardiac and
muscle function.
,3. A client has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which ECG finding is
expected?
A) Prominent U waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prolonged QT interval
D) ST depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves, then widened QRS, and sine
wave.
4. Which condition causes hypokalemia?
A) Renal failure
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
C) Addison's disease
D) Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: GI losses cause potassium depletion.
5. Which condition causes hyperkalemia?
A) Vomiting
B) Renal failure
2
,C) Diarrhea
D) Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal failure impairs potassium excretion.
6. Which condition causes hypocalcemia?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Hypoparathyroidism
C) Renal failure
D) Malignancy
Answer: B
Rationale: Low PTH causes low calcium.
7. Which condition causes hypercalcemia?
A) Hypoparathyroidism
B) Hyperparathyroidism
C) Renal failure
D) Vitamin D deficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: High PTH causes high calcium.
8. Which sign is associated with hypocalcemia?
3
, A) Peaked T waves
B) Chvostek's sign
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek's sign is facial twitching with tapping.
9. Which sign is associated with hypercalcemia?
A) Tetany
B) Kidney stones
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Seizures
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypercalcemia causes renal calculi.
10. Which condition causes hypomagnesemia?
A) Renal failure
B) Alcohol use
C) Hyperparathyroidism
D) Addison's disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol causes magnesium loss.
4
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
& DETAILED RATIONALES 2026/2027 UPDATE|
BRAND NEW VERSION!!
Fluids, Electrolytes & Acid-Base
1. Which electrolyte is the primary extracellular cation?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium is the major extracellular cation, regulating fluid balance and
osmolarity.
2. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Chloride
D) Bicarbonate
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation, essential for cardiac and
muscle function.
,3. A client has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which ECG finding is
expected?
A) Prominent U waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prolonged QT interval
D) ST depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves, then widened QRS, and sine
wave.
4. Which condition causes hypokalemia?
A) Renal failure
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
C) Addison's disease
D) Metabolic acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: GI losses cause potassium depletion.
5. Which condition causes hyperkalemia?
A) Vomiting
B) Renal failure
2
,C) Diarrhea
D) Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal failure impairs potassium excretion.
6. Which condition causes hypocalcemia?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Hypoparathyroidism
C) Renal failure
D) Malignancy
Answer: B
Rationale: Low PTH causes low calcium.
7. Which condition causes hypercalcemia?
A) Hypoparathyroidism
B) Hyperparathyroidism
C) Renal failure
D) Vitamin D deficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: High PTH causes high calcium.
8. Which sign is associated with hypocalcemia?
3
, A) Peaked T waves
B) Chvostek's sign
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek's sign is facial twitching with tapping.
9. Which sign is associated with hypercalcemia?
A) Tetany
B) Kidney stones
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Seizures
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypercalcemia causes renal calculi.
10. Which condition causes hypomagnesemia?
A) Renal failure
B) Alcohol use
C) Hyperparathyroidism
D) Addison's disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol causes magnesium loss.
4
