NSG 3130 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS & SKILLS FOR NURSING
PRACTICE II EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains:
1. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
2. Perioperative Nursing Care
3. Wound Care and Tissue Integrity
4. Infection Control and Asepsis
5. Medication Administration and IV Therapy
6. Nutrition and Elimination
7. Oxygenation and Respiratory Support
8. Safety, Mobility, and Patient Positioning
9. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
10. Clinical Judgment and Patient Education
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses fundamental nursing
concepts and skills essential for safe, evidence-based practice. It
evaluates knowledge across fluid and electrolyte balance,
perioperative care, wound management, infection control,
medication administration, nutrition, elimination, oxygenation,
safety, mobility, and professional standards. The exam employs
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to
measure clinical judgment, critical thinking, and real-world
decision-making. Emphasis is placed on applying foundational
theory to practical patient care situations, prioritizing safety, and
demonstrating professional accountability. This assessment
,prepares candidates for progressive nursing practice and licensure
readiness.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 2.8
mEq/L. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
B. Hypertension and bounding pulses
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Oliguria and decreased bowel sounds
🟢 A. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) manifests
with muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Hyperactive reflexes and hypertension are
associated with hyperkalemia. Oliguria and decreased bowel
sounds are not typical of hypokalemia.
Question 2
A postoperative patient has a nasogastric tube connected to low
intermittent suction. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient at
greatest risk for developing?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
🟢 B. Metabolic alkalosis
,🔴 RATIONALE: Gastric suction removes hydrochloric acid from
the stomach, leading to loss of hydrogen ions and chloride. This
results in metabolic alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with
hyperventilation, while respiratory acidosis occurs with
hypoventilation. Metabolic acidosis occurs with bicarbonate loss
or acid retention.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer an IV bolus of potassium
chloride to a patient with severe hypokalemia. Which action is
essential?
A. Administer the bolus rapidly over 5 minutes
B. Verify the prescription is for IV push administration
C. Ensure the medication is diluted and infused via pump
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly instead
🟢 C. Ensure the medication is diluted and infused via pump
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must never be administered as a
bolus or IV push because it can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
It must be diluted and infused via an infusion pump at a rate not
exceeding 10–20 mEq/hour. Intramuscular administration of
potassium is not appropriate and can cause tissue necrosis.
Question 4
A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks why they must stop
eating and drinking before the procedure. Which response by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. "It prevents you from feeling nauseated after surgery."
B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It helps your body conserve energy for healing."
D. "It prevents dehydration during the procedure."
, 🟢 B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
🔴 RATIONALE: Preoperative fasting (NPO status) is primarily to
prevent aspiration of gastric contents during induction of
anesthesia, which can cause aspiration pneumonia or airway
obstruction. While nausea may occur postoperatively, the primary
reason is aspiration risk.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a surgical incision and notes separation of the
wound edges with visible underlying tissue. How should the nurse
document this finding?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Granulation
D. Epithelialization
🟢 A. Dehiscence
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehiscence refers to the partial or complete
separation of wound edges. Evisceration occurs when abdominal
organs protrude through the incision. Granulation and
epithelialization are normal phases of wound healing.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with a Stage 3 pressure injury.
Which characteristic distinguishes this from a Stage 2 pressure
injury?
A. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
B. Partial-thickness loss involving the epidermis and dermis
C. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
D. Intact skin with nonblanchable erythema
PRACTICE II EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
1. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
2. Perioperative Nursing Care
3. Wound Care and Tissue Integrity
4. Infection Control and Asepsis
5. Medication Administration and IV Therapy
6. Nutrition and Elimination
7. Oxygenation and Respiratory Support
8. Safety, Mobility, and Patient Positioning
9. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
10. Clinical Judgment and Patient Education
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses fundamental nursing
concepts and skills essential for safe, evidence-based practice. It
evaluates knowledge across fluid and electrolyte balance,
perioperative care, wound management, infection control,
medication administration, nutrition, elimination, oxygenation,
safety, mobility, and professional standards. The exam employs
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to
measure clinical judgment, critical thinking, and real-world
decision-making. Emphasis is placed on applying foundational
theory to practical patient care situations, prioritizing safety, and
demonstrating professional accountability. This assessment
,prepares candidates for progressive nursing practice and licensure
readiness.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 2.8
mEq/L. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
B. Hypertension and bounding pulses
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Oliguria and decreased bowel sounds
🟢 A. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) manifests
with muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Hyperactive reflexes and hypertension are
associated with hyperkalemia. Oliguria and decreased bowel
sounds are not typical of hypokalemia.
Question 2
A postoperative patient has a nasogastric tube connected to low
intermittent suction. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient at
greatest risk for developing?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
🟢 B. Metabolic alkalosis
,🔴 RATIONALE: Gastric suction removes hydrochloric acid from
the stomach, leading to loss of hydrogen ions and chloride. This
results in metabolic alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with
hyperventilation, while respiratory acidosis occurs with
hypoventilation. Metabolic acidosis occurs with bicarbonate loss
or acid retention.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer an IV bolus of potassium
chloride to a patient with severe hypokalemia. Which action is
essential?
A. Administer the bolus rapidly over 5 minutes
B. Verify the prescription is for IV push administration
C. Ensure the medication is diluted and infused via pump
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly instead
🟢 C. Ensure the medication is diluted and infused via pump
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must never be administered as a
bolus or IV push because it can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
It must be diluted and infused via an infusion pump at a rate not
exceeding 10–20 mEq/hour. Intramuscular administration of
potassium is not appropriate and can cause tissue necrosis.
Question 4
A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks why they must stop
eating and drinking before the procedure. Which response by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. "It prevents you from feeling nauseated after surgery."
B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It helps your body conserve energy for healing."
D. "It prevents dehydration during the procedure."
, 🟢 B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
🔴 RATIONALE: Preoperative fasting (NPO status) is primarily to
prevent aspiration of gastric contents during induction of
anesthesia, which can cause aspiration pneumonia or airway
obstruction. While nausea may occur postoperatively, the primary
reason is aspiration risk.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a surgical incision and notes separation of the
wound edges with visible underlying tissue. How should the nurse
document this finding?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Granulation
D. Epithelialization
🟢 A. Dehiscence
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehiscence refers to the partial or complete
separation of wound edges. Evisceration occurs when abdominal
organs protrude through the incision. Granulation and
epithelialization are normal phases of wound healing.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient with a Stage 3 pressure injury.
Which characteristic distinguishes this from a Stage 2 pressure
injury?
A. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
B. Partial-thickness loss involving the epidermis and dermis
C. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
D. Intact skin with nonblanchable erythema
