NURS 320 Exam 2 Practice Qs Verified
Answers
The clinic nurse is assessing the following patients. Which one would the nurse
expect to have a low sodium level?
a) A 5-year old with vomiting and diarrhea for the past twenty-four hours
b) A 45-year old marathon runner who is drinking water because of excessive
sweating after a long run
c) A 60-year old taking prednisone for lung disease
d) A 10-year old eating potato chips and pretzels - ANSWER-b) A 45-year old
marathon runner who is drinking water because of excessive sweating after a long
run
The client who has been vomiting and has numerous episodes of diarrhea. Which
lab test should the nurse monitor first?
a) Serum calcium
b) Serum phosphorus
c) Serum potassium
d) Serum creatinine - ANSWER-c) Serum potassium
Which patient condition should have the highest priority for teaching regarding foods
that contain magnesium?
a) Severe hemorrhage
b) Diabetes insipidus
c) Adrenal insufficiency
d) Oliguric renal disease - ANSWER-d) Oliguric renal disease
The kidneys are the only organ that controls magnesium levels, so renal disease will
affect Mg balance
It is determined that Frank is experiencing dehydration. Which lab values will support
dehydration in Frank? Select all that apply.
a) Na 148
b) BUN 35
c) Urine specific gravity 1.020
d) Hemoglobin 13 - ANSWER-a) Na 148
b) BUN 35
Normal ranges -
Na: 135-145
BUN: 8-21
Urine specific gravity: 1.005 - 1.030
,Hemoglobin: 11.7 - 17.1
The nurse is questioning the hydration status of Frank. Which action should the
nurse take first to confirm if Frank is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
a) Assess the heart rate
b) Check the serum creatinine level
c) Measure urine output during the last hour
d) Ask Frank how much water he consumed in the last 4 hours - ANSWER-a)
Assess the heart rate
Increased HR = early sign of fluid volume deficit
A patient is experiencing hypotension and the nurse closely monitors the patients
electrolytes in response to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. Which electrolytes
should the nurse closely monitor as a result of kidney's response to this decrease
blood flow?
a) Sodium, calcium, and phosphorus
b) Sodium, potassium, and chloride
c) Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
d) Magnesium, potassium, and sodium - ANSWER-b) Sodium, potassium, and
chloride
The nurse is reviewing a patient's morning lab results. Which result is of highest
concern?
a) Serum Na of 150mEq/L
b) Serum K of 3.1 mEq/L
c) Serum Mg of 4.0mg/dL
d) Serum Ca of 10.0mg/dL - ANSWER-c) Serum Mg of 4.0mg/dL
Normal Na: 135-145
Normal K: 3.5-5.0
Normal Mg: 1.6-2.6
Normal Ca: 8.2-10.2
The patient with renal failure shows a weight gain of 2kg since the last appointment.
The nurse recognizes that the patient is retaining how many liters of fluid?
a) 0.5
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3 - ANSWER-c) 2
1kg weight gain = 1L fluid retention
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. On assessment, the nurse notes
that the client is dyspneic, and crackles are audible on auscultation. What additional
, manifestations would the nurse expect to note in this client if excess fluid volume is
present?
a) Weight loss and dry skin
b) Flat neck and hand veins and increased respirations
c) An increase in blood pressure and increased respirations
d) Weakness and decreased central venous pressure - ANSWER-c) An increase in
blood pressure and increased respirations
The nurse reviews a client's record and determines that the client is at risk for
developing a potassium deficit if which situation is documented?
a) Sustained tissue damage
b) Requires nasogastric suction
c) Has a history of Addison's disease
d) Uric acid level of 9.4 mg/dL - ANSWER-b) Requires nasogastric suction
The nurse is assessing a client with a lactose intolerance disorder for a suspected
diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to
note in the client?
a) Twitching
b) Hypoactive bowel sounds
c) Negative Trosseau's sign
d) Hypoactive deep tendon reflexes - ANSWER-a) Twitching
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving high doses of a
diuretic. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client has flat neck veins,
generalized muscle weakness, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. The nurse
suspects hyponatremia. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in a
client with hyponatremia?
a) Muscle twitches
b) Decreased urinary output
c) Hyperactive bowel sounds
d) Increased specific gravity of urine - ANSWER-c) Hyperactive bowel sounds
The nurse reviews a client's laboratory report and notes that the client's serum
phosphorus level is 1.8 mg/dL. Which condition most likely caused this serum
phophorus level?
a) Malnutrition
b) Renal insufficiency
c) Hypoparathyroidism
d) Tumor lysis syndrome - ANSWER-a) Malnutrition
Which client is at risk for the development of a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L?
a) The client with colitis
b) The client with Cushing's syndrome
Answers
The clinic nurse is assessing the following patients. Which one would the nurse
expect to have a low sodium level?
a) A 5-year old with vomiting and diarrhea for the past twenty-four hours
b) A 45-year old marathon runner who is drinking water because of excessive
sweating after a long run
c) A 60-year old taking prednisone for lung disease
d) A 10-year old eating potato chips and pretzels - ANSWER-b) A 45-year old
marathon runner who is drinking water because of excessive sweating after a long
run
The client who has been vomiting and has numerous episodes of diarrhea. Which
lab test should the nurse monitor first?
a) Serum calcium
b) Serum phosphorus
c) Serum potassium
d) Serum creatinine - ANSWER-c) Serum potassium
Which patient condition should have the highest priority for teaching regarding foods
that contain magnesium?
a) Severe hemorrhage
b) Diabetes insipidus
c) Adrenal insufficiency
d) Oliguric renal disease - ANSWER-d) Oliguric renal disease
The kidneys are the only organ that controls magnesium levels, so renal disease will
affect Mg balance
It is determined that Frank is experiencing dehydration. Which lab values will support
dehydration in Frank? Select all that apply.
a) Na 148
b) BUN 35
c) Urine specific gravity 1.020
d) Hemoglobin 13 - ANSWER-a) Na 148
b) BUN 35
Normal ranges -
Na: 135-145
BUN: 8-21
Urine specific gravity: 1.005 - 1.030
,Hemoglobin: 11.7 - 17.1
The nurse is questioning the hydration status of Frank. Which action should the
nurse take first to confirm if Frank is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
a) Assess the heart rate
b) Check the serum creatinine level
c) Measure urine output during the last hour
d) Ask Frank how much water he consumed in the last 4 hours - ANSWER-a)
Assess the heart rate
Increased HR = early sign of fluid volume deficit
A patient is experiencing hypotension and the nurse closely monitors the patients
electrolytes in response to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. Which electrolytes
should the nurse closely monitor as a result of kidney's response to this decrease
blood flow?
a) Sodium, calcium, and phosphorus
b) Sodium, potassium, and chloride
c) Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
d) Magnesium, potassium, and sodium - ANSWER-b) Sodium, potassium, and
chloride
The nurse is reviewing a patient's morning lab results. Which result is of highest
concern?
a) Serum Na of 150mEq/L
b) Serum K of 3.1 mEq/L
c) Serum Mg of 4.0mg/dL
d) Serum Ca of 10.0mg/dL - ANSWER-c) Serum Mg of 4.0mg/dL
Normal Na: 135-145
Normal K: 3.5-5.0
Normal Mg: 1.6-2.6
Normal Ca: 8.2-10.2
The patient with renal failure shows a weight gain of 2kg since the last appointment.
The nurse recognizes that the patient is retaining how many liters of fluid?
a) 0.5
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3 - ANSWER-c) 2
1kg weight gain = 1L fluid retention
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. On assessment, the nurse notes
that the client is dyspneic, and crackles are audible on auscultation. What additional
, manifestations would the nurse expect to note in this client if excess fluid volume is
present?
a) Weight loss and dry skin
b) Flat neck and hand veins and increased respirations
c) An increase in blood pressure and increased respirations
d) Weakness and decreased central venous pressure - ANSWER-c) An increase in
blood pressure and increased respirations
The nurse reviews a client's record and determines that the client is at risk for
developing a potassium deficit if which situation is documented?
a) Sustained tissue damage
b) Requires nasogastric suction
c) Has a history of Addison's disease
d) Uric acid level of 9.4 mg/dL - ANSWER-b) Requires nasogastric suction
The nurse is assessing a client with a lactose intolerance disorder for a suspected
diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to
note in the client?
a) Twitching
b) Hypoactive bowel sounds
c) Negative Trosseau's sign
d) Hypoactive deep tendon reflexes - ANSWER-a) Twitching
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving high doses of a
diuretic. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client has flat neck veins,
generalized muscle weakness, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. The nurse
suspects hyponatremia. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in a
client with hyponatremia?
a) Muscle twitches
b) Decreased urinary output
c) Hyperactive bowel sounds
d) Increased specific gravity of urine - ANSWER-c) Hyperactive bowel sounds
The nurse reviews a client's laboratory report and notes that the client's serum
phosphorus level is 1.8 mg/dL. Which condition most likely caused this serum
phophorus level?
a) Malnutrition
b) Renal insufficiency
c) Hypoparathyroidism
d) Tumor lysis syndrome - ANSWER-a) Malnutrition
Which client is at risk for the development of a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L?
a) The client with colitis
b) The client with Cushing's syndrome
