NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
EXAM COVERAGE – 10 MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance – Hypokalemia/hyperkalemia
manifestations, ABG interpretation, IV fluid selection, diuretic effects 1 5
,2. Perioperative Nursing Care – Informed consent, preoperative anticoagulation,
postoperative complications, malignant hyperthermia 1 19
3. Pain Management – Gate control theory, PCA pumps, opioid assessment,
nonpharmacologic interventions 23 30
4. Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life Care – Kubler-Ross stages, hospice philosophy,
postmortem care, family support 2 22
5. Stress, Anxiety, and Coping – General Adaptation Syndrome, defense
mechanisms, anxiety levels, crisis intervention 8 36
6. Medication Administration and Safety – High-alert medications, IV site
complications, transfusion reactions, antidotes 5 13
7. Cardiovascular Alterations – Heart failure management, dysrhythmias,
anticoagulation monitoring 5 28
8. Respiratory Alterations – Respiratory acidosis/alkalosis, COPD exacerbation,
oxygen delivery 18 31
9. Infection Control and Immune Function – Neutropenic precautions, sepsis
recognition, antibiotic adverse effects 31
,10. Nursing Leadership, Ethics, and Legal Issues – Patient advocacy, informed
consent, documentation, QSEN competencies 16 38
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
200 EXTREMELY DETAILED MULTIPLE-CHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLAINED NOTES
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L and
is experiencing muscle weakness. Which assessment finding should the nurse
prioritize as the most life-threatening risk?
, A. Hyperactive bowel sounds and diarrhea
B. Irregular heart rhythm with U waves on ECG
C. Increased deep tendon reflexes
D. Hypertension with bounding pulses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Correct – B: Hypokalemia significantly affects cardiac conduction and can
precipitate life-threatening dysrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and
fibrillation. U waves are a classic ECG manifestation of hypokalemia. The
nurse must prioritize continuous cardiac monitoring.
A: Hyperactive bowel sounds and diarrhea are actually associated with
hyperkalemia or other GI issues; hypokalemia causes decreased bowel
motility, constipation, and hypoactive bowel sounds.
C: Hypokalemia causes decreased deep tendon reflexes, not increased.
Increased reflexes would suggest hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia.
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
EXAM COVERAGE – 10 MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance – Hypokalemia/hyperkalemia
manifestations, ABG interpretation, IV fluid selection, diuretic effects 1 5
,2. Perioperative Nursing Care – Informed consent, preoperative anticoagulation,
postoperative complications, malignant hyperthermia 1 19
3. Pain Management – Gate control theory, PCA pumps, opioid assessment,
nonpharmacologic interventions 23 30
4. Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life Care – Kubler-Ross stages, hospice philosophy,
postmortem care, family support 2 22
5. Stress, Anxiety, and Coping – General Adaptation Syndrome, defense
mechanisms, anxiety levels, crisis intervention 8 36
6. Medication Administration and Safety – High-alert medications, IV site
complications, transfusion reactions, antidotes 5 13
7. Cardiovascular Alterations – Heart failure management, dysrhythmias,
anticoagulation monitoring 5 28
8. Respiratory Alterations – Respiratory acidosis/alkalosis, COPD exacerbation,
oxygen delivery 18 31
9. Infection Control and Immune Function – Neutropenic precautions, sepsis
recognition, antibiotic adverse effects 31
,10. Nursing Leadership, Ethics, and Legal Issues – Patient advocacy, informed
consent, documentation, QSEN competencies 16 38
NSG 3130 Exam 3 – Nursing Concepts & Clinical
Judgment – Galen College of Nursing
200 EXTREMELY DETAILED MULTIPLE-CHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH EXPLAINED NOTES
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L and
is experiencing muscle weakness. Which assessment finding should the nurse
prioritize as the most life-threatening risk?
, A. Hyperactive bowel sounds and diarrhea
B. Irregular heart rhythm with U waves on ECG
C. Increased deep tendon reflexes
D. Hypertension with bounding pulses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Correct – B: Hypokalemia significantly affects cardiac conduction and can
precipitate life-threatening dysrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and
fibrillation. U waves are a classic ECG manifestation of hypokalemia. The
nurse must prioritize continuous cardiac monitoring.
A: Hyperactive bowel sounds and diarrhea are actually associated with
hyperkalemia or other GI issues; hypokalemia causes decreased bowel
motility, constipation, and hypoactive bowel sounds.
C: Hypokalemia causes decreased deep tendon reflexes, not increased.
Increased reflexes would suggest hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia.
