1 of 43
NURS 611 EXAM 1 PATHO ACTUAL EXAM AND TEST BANK COMPLETE 430
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2025/2026
|ALREADY GRADED A+
Infection intervention - ......ANSWER........culture drainage remove, and culture catheter
blood culture establish new access
Infection prevention - ......ANSWER........following strict aseptic technique, removing IV
when they are due.
Central line complications - ......ANSWER........occlusion thrombosis air emboli
hemorrhage clabsi pneumothorax (Risk of puncture following wire insertion typically
monitored by a chest X-ray).
CLABSI - ......ANSWER........central line associated blood stream infection
Occlusion causes - ......ANSWER........thrombus formation (improper heparin flush) drug
precipitate (incompatibility), lipids deposit catheter compression
Partial occlusion - ......ANSWER........able to infuse but not aspirate blood increasing
resistance or sluggish flow; resistance when flushing
Complete occlusion - ......ANSWER........unable to infuse or aspirate; TPA, removal
Homeostasis - ......ANSWER........maintenance of a constant internal equilibrium in a
biologic system.
ECF - ......ANSWER........Defined as the fluid outside of cells subdivided into three
categories: intravascular, interstitial, and transcellular.
Intravascular fluid - ......ANSWER........Approximately 6L of blood volume (3L plasma & 3L
of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and leukocytes).
-Concentration altered by Na+/K+ pump. Higher Na+ in ECF & K+ in ICF.
Interstitial space - ......ANSWER........Fluid that surrounds a cell totaling 11-12L. Ex (lymph)
Transcellular space - ......ANSWER........1L- Examples: cerebrospinal fluid, pericardial,
synovial, intraocular, and pleural fluids, and digestive secretions. Secreted by epithelial
cells in particular.
,2 of 43
Fluid Spacing - ......ANSWER........a term used to describe the distribution of body water.
Categorized by first spacing, second spacing, and third spacing.
First spacing - ......ANSWER........Normal distribution of fluid in ICF and ECF. Homeostatic
equilibrium is maintained.
Second spacing - ......ANSWER........abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid resulting in
manifestations of edema/ other accumulations. Fluid may be easily redistributed with the
proper pharmacotherapy
Third spacing - ......ANSWER........Loss of ECF into a space that does not contribute to
equilibrium between the ICF & ECF typically within membrane-bound spaces (pleural
effusion, pericardial effusion, and angioedema).
S/S: O decrease or FVD resulting in compensatory mechanisms (decreased BP, increased
HR, I&O imbalance.
-Balance restored within a few days to a few weeks yet may require fluid resuscitation.
Electrolytes - ......ANSWER........Electrolytes in body fluids are active chemicals (cations
that carry positive charges and anions that carry negative charges).
Major cations - ......ANSWER........sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen ions
Major anions - ......ANSWER........chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate
Diffusion - ......ANSWER........the process by which solutes move from an area of higher
concentration to one of lower concentration; does not require expenditure of energy.
Osmosis - ......ANSWER........The process by which fluid moves across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute
concentration; the process continues until the solute concentrations are equal on both
sides of the membrane.
Osmolality and osmolarity are terms that describe the concentration of solutes or
dissolved particles.
Osmolality - ......ANSWER........The number of milliosmoles of solute (the standard unit of
osmotic pressure) per kilogram solvent; it is expressed as milliosmoles per kilogram
(mOsm/kg). Weight based
,3 of 43
Osmolarity - ......ANSWER........The number of milliosmoles per liter of solution it is
expressed as milliosmoles per liter (mOsm/L)
Starling Law of Capillary Forces - ......ANSWER........is movement that occurs at every
capillary bed. This movement is known as Hydrostatic Pressure and Osmotic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure - ......ANSWER........The pressure created by the weight of fluid
against the wall that contains it. In the body hydrostatic pressure in blood vessels results
from the weight of fluid itself and the force resulting from cardiac contraction
Pushes fluid out of capillary toward ICF
Osmotic pressure - ......ANSWER........inward pressure due to tendency of water to be
"pulled" into a cell with higher osmolarities
Pulls fluid into capillary from ICF.
Sodium value - ......ANSWER........136-145 mEq/L
Potassium value - ......ANSWER........3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Chloride value - ......ANSWER........98-106 mEq/L
Bicarbonate value - ......ANSWER........24-31 mEq/L
Calcium value - ......ANSWER........9-10.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus value - ......ANSWER........3-4.5 mg/dL
Magnesium value - ......ANSWER........1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Urine Specific Gravity - ......ANSWER........1.005 to 1.030
BUN value - ......ANSWER........10 to 20mg/dL
Creatinine value - ......ANSWER........0.7 to 1.4 mg d/L
Hematocrit value - ......ANSWER........35% to 47% in women & 42%-52% in men
colloid oncotic pressure - ......ANSWER........osmotic pressure created by the protein
(mainly albumin) in the bloodstream (synonym: colloidal osmotic pressure
, 4 of 43
Colloid - ......ANSWER........Fluid consisting of nonsoluable substances that are evenly
distributed within a solvent:
Ex: albumin solution, hypertonic starch, and dextran (temporary blood replacement).
Crystalloid - ......ANSWER........Solutions consisting of mineral ions dissolved in water. Ex:
normal saline (0.9% NaCl), half normal saline (o.45% NaCl), and LR
Typically used to replace fluid in hypovolemia
Tonicity - ......ANSWER........Ability of solutes to cause an osmotic driving force that
promotes water movement from one compartment to another.
Tonicity is determined by how it compares to physiological fluids.
Hypotonic solutions - ......ANSWER........are composed of 0.9% NaCl; the same sodium
and chloride concentration as the bloodstream and the same water concentration as the
bloodstream. Isotonic solutions do not provoke water movement between ICF or ECF
compartments. Isotonic solutions expand the plasma volume of the blood
Isotonic solutions - ......ANSWER........are composed of 0.9% NaCl; the same sodium and
chloride concentration as the bloodstream and the same water concentration as the
bloodstream. Isotonic solutions do not provoke water movement between ICF or ECF
compartments. Isotonic solutions expand the plasma volume of the blood
Hypertonic Solution - ......ANSWER........are composed of greater concentration of NaCl
compared to blood (e.g., 3% NaCl). Pulls water from ICF to ECF (edema). NA+, glucose,
and Mannitol
Dehydration - ......ANSWER........A lack of fluid in the body, from insufficient intake or
excessive loss.
Actual dehydration - ......ANSWER........Lack of fluid in the body
Relative dehydration - ......ANSWER........Occurs when H20 shifts from the plasma into the
interstitial space - without actual loss of total body water
Causes of dehydration - ......ANSWER........-Hyperventilation/ excessive perspiration -
Prolonged fever -DKA -Insufficient water intake (enteral feeding without water
administration, decreased thirst, aphasia) -Diabetes insipidus
NURS 611 EXAM 1 PATHO ACTUAL EXAM AND TEST BANK COMPLETE 430
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2025/2026
|ALREADY GRADED A+
Infection intervention - ......ANSWER........culture drainage remove, and culture catheter
blood culture establish new access
Infection prevention - ......ANSWER........following strict aseptic technique, removing IV
when they are due.
Central line complications - ......ANSWER........occlusion thrombosis air emboli
hemorrhage clabsi pneumothorax (Risk of puncture following wire insertion typically
monitored by a chest X-ray).
CLABSI - ......ANSWER........central line associated blood stream infection
Occlusion causes - ......ANSWER........thrombus formation (improper heparin flush) drug
precipitate (incompatibility), lipids deposit catheter compression
Partial occlusion - ......ANSWER........able to infuse but not aspirate blood increasing
resistance or sluggish flow; resistance when flushing
Complete occlusion - ......ANSWER........unable to infuse or aspirate; TPA, removal
Homeostasis - ......ANSWER........maintenance of a constant internal equilibrium in a
biologic system.
ECF - ......ANSWER........Defined as the fluid outside of cells subdivided into three
categories: intravascular, interstitial, and transcellular.
Intravascular fluid - ......ANSWER........Approximately 6L of blood volume (3L plasma & 3L
of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and leukocytes).
-Concentration altered by Na+/K+ pump. Higher Na+ in ECF & K+ in ICF.
Interstitial space - ......ANSWER........Fluid that surrounds a cell totaling 11-12L. Ex (lymph)
Transcellular space - ......ANSWER........1L- Examples: cerebrospinal fluid, pericardial,
synovial, intraocular, and pleural fluids, and digestive secretions. Secreted by epithelial
cells in particular.
,2 of 43
Fluid Spacing - ......ANSWER........a term used to describe the distribution of body water.
Categorized by first spacing, second spacing, and third spacing.
First spacing - ......ANSWER........Normal distribution of fluid in ICF and ECF. Homeostatic
equilibrium is maintained.
Second spacing - ......ANSWER........abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid resulting in
manifestations of edema/ other accumulations. Fluid may be easily redistributed with the
proper pharmacotherapy
Third spacing - ......ANSWER........Loss of ECF into a space that does not contribute to
equilibrium between the ICF & ECF typically within membrane-bound spaces (pleural
effusion, pericardial effusion, and angioedema).
S/S: O decrease or FVD resulting in compensatory mechanisms (decreased BP, increased
HR, I&O imbalance.
-Balance restored within a few days to a few weeks yet may require fluid resuscitation.
Electrolytes - ......ANSWER........Electrolytes in body fluids are active chemicals (cations
that carry positive charges and anions that carry negative charges).
Major cations - ......ANSWER........sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen ions
Major anions - ......ANSWER........chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate
Diffusion - ......ANSWER........the process by which solutes move from an area of higher
concentration to one of lower concentration; does not require expenditure of energy.
Osmosis - ......ANSWER........The process by which fluid moves across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute
concentration; the process continues until the solute concentrations are equal on both
sides of the membrane.
Osmolality and osmolarity are terms that describe the concentration of solutes or
dissolved particles.
Osmolality - ......ANSWER........The number of milliosmoles of solute (the standard unit of
osmotic pressure) per kilogram solvent; it is expressed as milliosmoles per kilogram
(mOsm/kg). Weight based
,3 of 43
Osmolarity - ......ANSWER........The number of milliosmoles per liter of solution it is
expressed as milliosmoles per liter (mOsm/L)
Starling Law of Capillary Forces - ......ANSWER........is movement that occurs at every
capillary bed. This movement is known as Hydrostatic Pressure and Osmotic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure - ......ANSWER........The pressure created by the weight of fluid
against the wall that contains it. In the body hydrostatic pressure in blood vessels results
from the weight of fluid itself and the force resulting from cardiac contraction
Pushes fluid out of capillary toward ICF
Osmotic pressure - ......ANSWER........inward pressure due to tendency of water to be
"pulled" into a cell with higher osmolarities
Pulls fluid into capillary from ICF.
Sodium value - ......ANSWER........136-145 mEq/L
Potassium value - ......ANSWER........3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Chloride value - ......ANSWER........98-106 mEq/L
Bicarbonate value - ......ANSWER........24-31 mEq/L
Calcium value - ......ANSWER........9-10.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus value - ......ANSWER........3-4.5 mg/dL
Magnesium value - ......ANSWER........1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Urine Specific Gravity - ......ANSWER........1.005 to 1.030
BUN value - ......ANSWER........10 to 20mg/dL
Creatinine value - ......ANSWER........0.7 to 1.4 mg d/L
Hematocrit value - ......ANSWER........35% to 47% in women & 42%-52% in men
colloid oncotic pressure - ......ANSWER........osmotic pressure created by the protein
(mainly albumin) in the bloodstream (synonym: colloidal osmotic pressure
, 4 of 43
Colloid - ......ANSWER........Fluid consisting of nonsoluable substances that are evenly
distributed within a solvent:
Ex: albumin solution, hypertonic starch, and dextran (temporary blood replacement).
Crystalloid - ......ANSWER........Solutions consisting of mineral ions dissolved in water. Ex:
normal saline (0.9% NaCl), half normal saline (o.45% NaCl), and LR
Typically used to replace fluid in hypovolemia
Tonicity - ......ANSWER........Ability of solutes to cause an osmotic driving force that
promotes water movement from one compartment to another.
Tonicity is determined by how it compares to physiological fluids.
Hypotonic solutions - ......ANSWER........are composed of 0.9% NaCl; the same sodium
and chloride concentration as the bloodstream and the same water concentration as the
bloodstream. Isotonic solutions do not provoke water movement between ICF or ECF
compartments. Isotonic solutions expand the plasma volume of the blood
Isotonic solutions - ......ANSWER........are composed of 0.9% NaCl; the same sodium and
chloride concentration as the bloodstream and the same water concentration as the
bloodstream. Isotonic solutions do not provoke water movement between ICF or ECF
compartments. Isotonic solutions expand the plasma volume of the blood
Hypertonic Solution - ......ANSWER........are composed of greater concentration of NaCl
compared to blood (e.g., 3% NaCl). Pulls water from ICF to ECF (edema). NA+, glucose,
and Mannitol
Dehydration - ......ANSWER........A lack of fluid in the body, from insufficient intake or
excessive loss.
Actual dehydration - ......ANSWER........Lack of fluid in the body
Relative dehydration - ......ANSWER........Occurs when H20 shifts from the plasma into the
interstitial space - without actual loss of total body water
Causes of dehydration - ......ANSWER........-Hyperventilation/ excessive perspiration -
Prolonged fever -DKA -Insufficient water intake (enteral feeding without water
administration, decreased thirst, aphasia) -Diabetes insipidus
