FLUID & ELECTROLYTE NCLEX EXAM
2025 QUESTIONS AND EXPERT
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2025-2026
Furosemide (Lasix) has been ordered for a client with
heart failure, shortness of breath, and 3+ pitting edema of
the lower extremities. Which assessment finding indicates
to the nurse that the medication has been effective?
A. The client's potassium level is 5.1 mEq/L (5.1 mmol/L).
B. The client's heart rate is 101 beats per minute.
C. The client is free from adventitious breath sounds.
D. The client has experienced a weight gain of 1 pound
(0.5 kg). Correct Answer C. The client is free from
adventitious breath sounds.
RATIONALE:
The nurse recognizes that Furosemide is effective when
the client is free from adventitious breath sounds such as
crackles. Other positive outcomes to the diuretic include
normal heart rate, weight loss with resolution of edema,
and increased urine output.A potassium value of 5.1
mEq/L or (5.1 mmol/L) is normal. Changes in potassium
levels such as hypokalemia are side effects of furosemide,
not therapeutic effects. Although a fall in the client's BP
may occur with the decrease in body fluid, this is not the
priority. Tachycardia may occur during episodes of fluid
volume excess or deficit and does not directly indicate the
medication has been effective. Weight loss, rather than
,weight gain, is often the effect of Furosemide, caused by
the diuresis.
The nurse is discussing safety when administering
bumetanide with a nursing student. The nurse recognizes
that the student understands side effects of this
medication when the student makes which statement?
A. "The client's PT and INR may be prolonged while taking
this medication."
B. "The client may develop hypoglycemia during
treatment."
C. "Inverted T waves and a U wave may appear on the
ECG."
D. "I need to tell the client to avoid salt substitutes."
Correct Answer C. "Inverted T waves and a U wave may
appear on the ECG."
RATIONALE:
The nursing student understands the side effects of
Bumex when commenting that inverted T waves and a U
wave may appear on the EKG. Hypokalemia may cause
depressed ST segments, flat or inverted T waves or the
presence of a U wave on the ECG as well as
dysrhythmias. High-ceiling (loop) diuretics, such as
furosemide (Lasix, furosemide), promote loss of water,
sodium, and potassium.PT and INR are typically
prolonged with therapy with warfarin (Coumadin) or
individuals with liver disease. Hypoglycemia may occur
with oral hypoglycemic medications or insulin. Salt
substitutes are typically avoided when the client has
,hyperkalemia or is taking an ACE inhibitor because many
substitutes contain potassium chloride.
The nurse is teaching a client who is taking a potassium-
sparing diuretic about precautions while taking this
medication. Which of these does the nurse teach the client
to avoid or use cautiously?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Grapes
E. Salt substitute Correct Answer B, C, E
RATIONALE:
While taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, the nurse
teaches the client to avoid bananas, ACE inhibitors, and
salt substitutes. Other foods high in potassium include
cantaloupe, kiwi, oranges, avocados, broccoli, dried
beans, lima beans, mushrooms, potatoes, seaweed,
soybeans, and spinach. Salt substitutes contain potassium
and may predispose the client to hyperkalemia.Apples and
grapes are considered lower potassium-containing foods.
The nurse is assessing a client with a sodium level of 118
mEq/L (118 mmol/L). Which activity takes priority?
A. Monitoring urine output
B. Encouraging sodium rich fluids and foods throughout
the day
C. Instructing the client not to ambulate without assistance
, D. Assessing deep tendon reflexes Correct Answer C.
Instructing the client not to ambulate without assistance
RATIONALE:
Safety is the priority in this instance. Instructing the client
not to ambulate without assistance is the priority for a
client with a sodium level of 118 mEq/L (118 mmol/L). This
sodium level denotes severe hyponatremia which makes
depolarization slower and cell membranes less excitable.
This is manifested as general muscle weakness which is
worse in the legs and arms. Additionally, this client may
have developed confusion from cerebral
edema.Monitoring urine output needs to be done but is not
the priority action in this situation. Generally, fluid is
restricted, rather than sodium rich foods offered, to
minimize the hyponatremia. While the nurse may assess
muscle strength and deep tendon reflex responses, safety
is the priority.
The nurse is infusing 3% saline for a client with syndrome
of inappropriate secretion (SIADH). Which of these
complications does the nurse report to the primary care
provider?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles ½ way up the lung fields
C. Serum osmolarity of 294 mOsm/kg
D. Urine output of 1300 mL over 24 hours Correct Answer
B. Crackles ½ way up the lung fields
RATIONALE:
2025 QUESTIONS AND EXPERT
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2025-2026
Furosemide (Lasix) has been ordered for a client with
heart failure, shortness of breath, and 3+ pitting edema of
the lower extremities. Which assessment finding indicates
to the nurse that the medication has been effective?
A. The client's potassium level is 5.1 mEq/L (5.1 mmol/L).
B. The client's heart rate is 101 beats per minute.
C. The client is free from adventitious breath sounds.
D. The client has experienced a weight gain of 1 pound
(0.5 kg). Correct Answer C. The client is free from
adventitious breath sounds.
RATIONALE:
The nurse recognizes that Furosemide is effective when
the client is free from adventitious breath sounds such as
crackles. Other positive outcomes to the diuretic include
normal heart rate, weight loss with resolution of edema,
and increased urine output.A potassium value of 5.1
mEq/L or (5.1 mmol/L) is normal. Changes in potassium
levels such as hypokalemia are side effects of furosemide,
not therapeutic effects. Although a fall in the client's BP
may occur with the decrease in body fluid, this is not the
priority. Tachycardia may occur during episodes of fluid
volume excess or deficit and does not directly indicate the
medication has been effective. Weight loss, rather than
,weight gain, is often the effect of Furosemide, caused by
the diuresis.
The nurse is discussing safety when administering
bumetanide with a nursing student. The nurse recognizes
that the student understands side effects of this
medication when the student makes which statement?
A. "The client's PT and INR may be prolonged while taking
this medication."
B. "The client may develop hypoglycemia during
treatment."
C. "Inverted T waves and a U wave may appear on the
ECG."
D. "I need to tell the client to avoid salt substitutes."
Correct Answer C. "Inverted T waves and a U wave may
appear on the ECG."
RATIONALE:
The nursing student understands the side effects of
Bumex when commenting that inverted T waves and a U
wave may appear on the EKG. Hypokalemia may cause
depressed ST segments, flat or inverted T waves or the
presence of a U wave on the ECG as well as
dysrhythmias. High-ceiling (loop) diuretics, such as
furosemide (Lasix, furosemide), promote loss of water,
sodium, and potassium.PT and INR are typically
prolonged with therapy with warfarin (Coumadin) or
individuals with liver disease. Hypoglycemia may occur
with oral hypoglycemic medications or insulin. Salt
substitutes are typically avoided when the client has
,hyperkalemia or is taking an ACE inhibitor because many
substitutes contain potassium chloride.
The nurse is teaching a client who is taking a potassium-
sparing diuretic about precautions while taking this
medication. Which of these does the nurse teach the client
to avoid or use cautiously?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Grapes
E. Salt substitute Correct Answer B, C, E
RATIONALE:
While taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, the nurse
teaches the client to avoid bananas, ACE inhibitors, and
salt substitutes. Other foods high in potassium include
cantaloupe, kiwi, oranges, avocados, broccoli, dried
beans, lima beans, mushrooms, potatoes, seaweed,
soybeans, and spinach. Salt substitutes contain potassium
and may predispose the client to hyperkalemia.Apples and
grapes are considered lower potassium-containing foods.
The nurse is assessing a client with a sodium level of 118
mEq/L (118 mmol/L). Which activity takes priority?
A. Monitoring urine output
B. Encouraging sodium rich fluids and foods throughout
the day
C. Instructing the client not to ambulate without assistance
, D. Assessing deep tendon reflexes Correct Answer C.
Instructing the client not to ambulate without assistance
RATIONALE:
Safety is the priority in this instance. Instructing the client
not to ambulate without assistance is the priority for a
client with a sodium level of 118 mEq/L (118 mmol/L). This
sodium level denotes severe hyponatremia which makes
depolarization slower and cell membranes less excitable.
This is manifested as general muscle weakness which is
worse in the legs and arms. Additionally, this client may
have developed confusion from cerebral
edema.Monitoring urine output needs to be done but is not
the priority action in this situation. Generally, fluid is
restricted, rather than sodium rich foods offered, to
minimize the hyponatremia. While the nurse may assess
muscle strength and deep tendon reflex responses, safety
is the priority.
The nurse is infusing 3% saline for a client with syndrome
of inappropriate secretion (SIADH). Which of these
complications does the nurse report to the primary care
provider?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Crackles ½ way up the lung fields
C. Serum osmolarity of 294 mOsm/kg
D. Urine output of 1300 mL over 24 hours Correct Answer
B. Crackles ½ way up the lung fields
RATIONALE:
