MN551 Midterm Exam 2025: Complete Study Guide,
Practice Questions, Key Concepts & Exam Success
Strategies for Graduate Nursing Students
Prepare for the MN551 Midterm Exam with this comprehensive study guide featuring practice
questions, key graduate nursing concepts, and proven exam strategies. Designed to help MSN
students master MN551 content and succeed on the midterm exam
• MN551 midterm exam
• MN551 midterm questions
• MN551 nursing exam
• MN551 study guide
A 77-year-old female hospital patient has contracted Clostridium difficile during her stay and is
experiencing severe diarrhea. Which of the following statements best conveys a risk that this woman
faces? - ANSWER-She is susceptible to isotonic fluid volume deficit and hypernatremia as a result of
water losses.
An 87-year-old male resident of an assisted living facility has been consistently continent of urine until
the last several weeks. Which of the following actions by the care providers at the facility is the most
likely priority? - ANSWER-Performing a physical examination and history to determine the exact cause
and character of the incontinence
A pediatric unit will be receiving from a rural medical outpost a patient transfer of an 8-day-old infant
with a suspected congenital renal disorder. Which of the following possibilities is the care team most
likely to be able to rule out early? - ANSWER-Renal cell carcinoma may be present.
May have upper and lower poles of the two kidneys may be fused, kidneys may be misshapen and have
cysts, one of the infant's kidneys may have failed to develop to a normal size.
Which of the following substances is most likely to be reabsorbed in the tubular segments of the
nephron using passive transport mechanisms? - ANSWER-Water
,A 60-year-old man has been diagnosed with renal calculi after repeated episodes of excruciating flank
pain in recent weeks. The man states, "I don't know how this could happen to me, since I'm so careful
about eating a healthy diet." What is the most appropriate response to the man's statement? - ANSWER-
What you eat can influence your risk of stone formation, but many other factors like hormones and your
metabolism are involved.
A 55-year-old man has made an appointment to see his nurse practitioner because he has been
awakening three to four times nightly to void and often has a sudden need to void with little warning
during the day. What is the man's most likely diagnosis and possible underlying pathophysiologic
problem? - ANSWER-Overactive bladder that may result from both neurogenic and myogenic sources
Which of the following patients would be considered to have a significant risk of developing the prerenal
form of acute renal failure? - ANSWER-A 22-year-old male who has lost a large amount of blood
following a workplace injury
A 77-year-old female with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is experiencing impaired
gas exchange and CO2 retention, despite a rapid respiratory rate. Which of the following phenomena
would her care team most realistically anticipate? - ANSWER-Her kidneys will adapt with an increase in
plasma HCO3- and her pH will decrease.
A 34-year-old male patient has diagnoses of liver failure, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy secondary
to alcohol abuse. The patient's family is questioning the care team about why his abdomen is so large
even though he is undernourished and emaciated. Which of the following statements most accurately
underlies the explanation that a member of the care team would provide to the family? - ANSWER-The
normally small transcellular fluid compartment, or third space, is becoming enlarged.
Which of the following data would a clinician consider to be most indicative of acute renal failure? -
ANSWER-Increased nitrogenous waste levels, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
A 51-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) five months prior is distressed that she has
had several recent episodes of urinary incontinence. She has asked her nurse practitioner why this is the
case. Which of the following statements best captures the facts that would underlie the nurse's response
to the patient? - ANSWER-She may be unable to sense her bladder filling as a result of her MS.
,A patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency department with
suspected ketoacidosis. Which of the following diagnostic results would be most likely to confirm this
diagnosis? - ANSWER-Increased CO2, increased anion gap, base deficit
Which diuretic acts by inhibiting sodium chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of
Henle? - ANSWER-Bumetanide (Bumex)
An 82-year-old resident of a long-term care facility with a recent history of repeated urinary tract
infections and restlessness is suspected of having urinary retention. Which of the following actions by
the care team is most appropriate? - ANSWER-Ultrasound bladder scanning to determine the residual
volume of urine after voiding
A 14-year-old boy who appears to be intoxicated is brought to the emergency department by
ambulance. The EMTs report that the boy has denied consuming anything out of the ordinary, but an
open antifreeze container was found in the boy's room. Which of the following is likely to be used to
treat the patient's symptoms? - ANSWER-Fomepizole
Which of the following patients on a medical unit of a hospital is most likely to be experiencing health
problems that may be attributable to kidney disease? - ANSWER-An 81-year-old female patient with
osteoporosis and anemia
A 68-year-old woman with a new onset of vascular dementia has recently begun retaining urine. Which
of the following physiological phenomena would her care providers most realistically expect to be
currently occurring as a result of her urinary retention? - ANSWER-Hypertrophy of the bladder muscle
and increased bladder wall thickness
A 4-year-old boy who has been deaf since birth and has bilateral cataracts has been brought to the
emergency department by his mother because she noticed blood in the toilet after he last voided.
Urinalysis confirms heavy microscopic hematuria as well as proteinuria. What will the care team's initial
differential diagnosis most likely be? - ANSWER-Alport syndrome
A 31-year-old patient with a diagnosis of end-stage liver failure has been admitted to the intensive care
unit of a hospital. Arterial blood gas sampling indicates that the man has an acid-base imbalance. Which
of the following situations is most likely to result in an inappropriate pH? - ANSWER-Low albumin and
plasma globulin levels
, Which of the following individuals are displaying identified risk factors for the development of lower
urinary tract obstruction? - ANSWER-A 68-year-old man who has been diagnosed with benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)
A patient is brought to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath. Assessment
reveals a full, bounding pulse, severe edema, and audible crackles in the lower lung fields bilaterally.
What is the patient's most likely diagnosis? - ANSWER-Fluid volume excess
A 61-year-old woman who has had an upper respiratory infection for several weeks has presented to her
nurse practitioner with complaints of a recent onset of urinary retention. She reveals to her nurse
practitioner that she has been taking over-the-counter cold medications at higher than the suggested
dose for the past two weeks. Which of the following phenomena will her nurse practitioner most likely
suspect is contributing to her urinary retention? - ANSWER-The anticholinergic effects of the medication
are impairing normal bladder function.
Following several days in an acidotic state, a hospital patient has returned to the desired pH. Which of
the following processes could have contributed to the resolution of the patient's health problem? -
ANSWER-Phosphate and ammonia buffer systems in the renal tubules
An 81-year-old female has long-standing hypocalcemia secondary to kidney disease and will shortly be
moving into an assisted living facility from her own apartment. Which of the following findings should
staff at the facility be instructed to observe for? - ANSWER-Muscular spasms and complaints of cramps
A 25-year-old Asian American man arrives at the emergency department in a panic. Except for a bout
with bronchitis a week earlier, he has been healthy his entire life; today he has blood in his urine. What is
the most likely cause of his hematuria and how should it be treated? - ANSWER-His immunoglobulin A
(IgA) nephropathy has no known effective treatments.
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI)? -
ANSWER-A 30-year-old obese woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
A 22-year-old female with a history of intermittent flank pain, repeated UTIs, and hematuria has been
diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Which of the following
phenomena has most likely contributed to the development of her health problem? - ANSWER-She has
inherited a tendency for epithelial cell in her tubules to proliferate inappropriately.
Practice Questions, Key Concepts & Exam Success
Strategies for Graduate Nursing Students
Prepare for the MN551 Midterm Exam with this comprehensive study guide featuring practice
questions, key graduate nursing concepts, and proven exam strategies. Designed to help MSN
students master MN551 content and succeed on the midterm exam
• MN551 midterm exam
• MN551 midterm questions
• MN551 nursing exam
• MN551 study guide
A 77-year-old female hospital patient has contracted Clostridium difficile during her stay and is
experiencing severe diarrhea. Which of the following statements best conveys a risk that this woman
faces? - ANSWER-She is susceptible to isotonic fluid volume deficit and hypernatremia as a result of
water losses.
An 87-year-old male resident of an assisted living facility has been consistently continent of urine until
the last several weeks. Which of the following actions by the care providers at the facility is the most
likely priority? - ANSWER-Performing a physical examination and history to determine the exact cause
and character of the incontinence
A pediatric unit will be receiving from a rural medical outpost a patient transfer of an 8-day-old infant
with a suspected congenital renal disorder. Which of the following possibilities is the care team most
likely to be able to rule out early? - ANSWER-Renal cell carcinoma may be present.
May have upper and lower poles of the two kidneys may be fused, kidneys may be misshapen and have
cysts, one of the infant's kidneys may have failed to develop to a normal size.
Which of the following substances is most likely to be reabsorbed in the tubular segments of the
nephron using passive transport mechanisms? - ANSWER-Water
,A 60-year-old man has been diagnosed with renal calculi after repeated episodes of excruciating flank
pain in recent weeks. The man states, "I don't know how this could happen to me, since I'm so careful
about eating a healthy diet." What is the most appropriate response to the man's statement? - ANSWER-
What you eat can influence your risk of stone formation, but many other factors like hormones and your
metabolism are involved.
A 55-year-old man has made an appointment to see his nurse practitioner because he has been
awakening three to four times nightly to void and often has a sudden need to void with little warning
during the day. What is the man's most likely diagnosis and possible underlying pathophysiologic
problem? - ANSWER-Overactive bladder that may result from both neurogenic and myogenic sources
Which of the following patients would be considered to have a significant risk of developing the prerenal
form of acute renal failure? - ANSWER-A 22-year-old male who has lost a large amount of blood
following a workplace injury
A 77-year-old female with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is experiencing impaired
gas exchange and CO2 retention, despite a rapid respiratory rate. Which of the following phenomena
would her care team most realistically anticipate? - ANSWER-Her kidneys will adapt with an increase in
plasma HCO3- and her pH will decrease.
A 34-year-old male patient has diagnoses of liver failure, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy secondary
to alcohol abuse. The patient's family is questioning the care team about why his abdomen is so large
even though he is undernourished and emaciated. Which of the following statements most accurately
underlies the explanation that a member of the care team would provide to the family? - ANSWER-The
normally small transcellular fluid compartment, or third space, is becoming enlarged.
Which of the following data would a clinician consider to be most indicative of acute renal failure? -
ANSWER-Increased nitrogenous waste levels, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
A 51-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) five months prior is distressed that she has
had several recent episodes of urinary incontinence. She has asked her nurse practitioner why this is the
case. Which of the following statements best captures the facts that would underlie the nurse's response
to the patient? - ANSWER-She may be unable to sense her bladder filling as a result of her MS.
,A patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency department with
suspected ketoacidosis. Which of the following diagnostic results would be most likely to confirm this
diagnosis? - ANSWER-Increased CO2, increased anion gap, base deficit
Which diuretic acts by inhibiting sodium chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of
Henle? - ANSWER-Bumetanide (Bumex)
An 82-year-old resident of a long-term care facility with a recent history of repeated urinary tract
infections and restlessness is suspected of having urinary retention. Which of the following actions by
the care team is most appropriate? - ANSWER-Ultrasound bladder scanning to determine the residual
volume of urine after voiding
A 14-year-old boy who appears to be intoxicated is brought to the emergency department by
ambulance. The EMTs report that the boy has denied consuming anything out of the ordinary, but an
open antifreeze container was found in the boy's room. Which of the following is likely to be used to
treat the patient's symptoms? - ANSWER-Fomepizole
Which of the following patients on a medical unit of a hospital is most likely to be experiencing health
problems that may be attributable to kidney disease? - ANSWER-An 81-year-old female patient with
osteoporosis and anemia
A 68-year-old woman with a new onset of vascular dementia has recently begun retaining urine. Which
of the following physiological phenomena would her care providers most realistically expect to be
currently occurring as a result of her urinary retention? - ANSWER-Hypertrophy of the bladder muscle
and increased bladder wall thickness
A 4-year-old boy who has been deaf since birth and has bilateral cataracts has been brought to the
emergency department by his mother because she noticed blood in the toilet after he last voided.
Urinalysis confirms heavy microscopic hematuria as well as proteinuria. What will the care team's initial
differential diagnosis most likely be? - ANSWER-Alport syndrome
A 31-year-old patient with a diagnosis of end-stage liver failure has been admitted to the intensive care
unit of a hospital. Arterial blood gas sampling indicates that the man has an acid-base imbalance. Which
of the following situations is most likely to result in an inappropriate pH? - ANSWER-Low albumin and
plasma globulin levels
, Which of the following individuals are displaying identified risk factors for the development of lower
urinary tract obstruction? - ANSWER-A 68-year-old man who has been diagnosed with benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)
A patient is brought to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath. Assessment
reveals a full, bounding pulse, severe edema, and audible crackles in the lower lung fields bilaterally.
What is the patient's most likely diagnosis? - ANSWER-Fluid volume excess
A 61-year-old woman who has had an upper respiratory infection for several weeks has presented to her
nurse practitioner with complaints of a recent onset of urinary retention. She reveals to her nurse
practitioner that she has been taking over-the-counter cold medications at higher than the suggested
dose for the past two weeks. Which of the following phenomena will her nurse practitioner most likely
suspect is contributing to her urinary retention? - ANSWER-The anticholinergic effects of the medication
are impairing normal bladder function.
Following several days in an acidotic state, a hospital patient has returned to the desired pH. Which of
the following processes could have contributed to the resolution of the patient's health problem? -
ANSWER-Phosphate and ammonia buffer systems in the renal tubules
An 81-year-old female has long-standing hypocalcemia secondary to kidney disease and will shortly be
moving into an assisted living facility from her own apartment. Which of the following findings should
staff at the facility be instructed to observe for? - ANSWER-Muscular spasms and complaints of cramps
A 25-year-old Asian American man arrives at the emergency department in a panic. Except for a bout
with bronchitis a week earlier, he has been healthy his entire life; today he has blood in his urine. What is
the most likely cause of his hematuria and how should it be treated? - ANSWER-His immunoglobulin A
(IgA) nephropathy has no known effective treatments.
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI)? -
ANSWER-A 30-year-old obese woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
A 22-year-old female with a history of intermittent flank pain, repeated UTIs, and hematuria has been
diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Which of the following
phenomena has most likely contributed to the development of her health problem? - ANSWER-She has
inherited a tendency for epithelial cell in her tubules to proliferate inappropriately.
