Med-Surg Exam 2 (RENAL)
Exam Study Guide: GRADED
A+. Questions and Verified
Answers. Latest 2026 Update
1. The nurse is admitting a client diagnosed with acute renal failure (ARF).
Which
question is most important for the nurse to ask during the admission
interview?
1. "Have you recently traveled outside the United States?"
2. "Did you recently begin a vigorous exercise program?"
3. "Is there a chance you have been exposed to a virus?"
4. "What over-the-counter medications do you take regularly?" - Ans✔✔-4.
Medications such as nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
some herbal remedies are nephrotoxic;
therefore, asking about medications is
appropriate.
2. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with ARF. Which laboratory values
are most
significant for diagnosing ARF?
,1. BUN and creatinine.
2. WBC and hemoglobin.
3. Potassium and sodium.
4. Bilirubin and ammonia level. - Ans✔✔-1. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
reflect
the balance between the production and
excretion of urea from the kidneys.
Creatinine is a by-product of the metabolism
of the muscles and is excreted by
the kidneys. Creatinine is the ideal substance
for determining renal clearance
because it is relatively constant in the
body and is the laboratory value most
significant in diagnosing renal failure.
3. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with rule-out ARF. Which condition
predisposes the client to developing prerenal failure?
1. Diabetes mellitus.
2. Hypotension.
3. Aminoglycosides.
4. Benign prostatic hypertrophy. - Ans✔✔-2. Hypotension, which causes a
decreased
blood supply to the kidney, is one of the
most common causes of prerenal failure
(before the kidney).
,4. The client is diagnosed with ARF. Which signs/symptoms indicate to the
nurse the
client is in the recovery period? Select all that apply.
1. Increased alertness and no seizure activity.
2. Increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit.
3. Denial of nausea and vomiting.
4. Decreased urine-specific gravity.
5. Increased serum creatinine level. - Ans✔✔-1,2,3
5. The client diagnosed with ARF has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L.
Which
collaborative treatment should the nurse anticipate for the client?
1. Administer a phosphate binder.
2. Type and crossmatch for whole blood.
3. Assess the client for leg cramps.
4. Prepare the client for dialysis. - Ans✔✔-4. Normal potassium level is 3.5 to
5.5 mEq/L. A level of 6.8 mEq/L is life
threatening and could lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias. Therefore, the client may
be dialyzed to decrease the potassium
level quickly. This requires a health-care
provider order, so it is a collaborative
intervention.
, 6. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client diagnosed with ARF. Which
statement is an appropriate outcome for the client?
1. Monitor intake and output every shift.
2. Decrease of pain by 3 levels on a 1-10 scale.
3. Electrolytes are within normal limits.
4. Administer enemas to decrease hyperkalemia. - Ans✔✔-3. Renal failure
causes an imbalance of
electrolytes (potassium, sodium, calcium,
phosphorus). Therefore, the desired
client outcome is electrolytes within
normal limits.
7. The client diagnosed with ARF is admitted to the intensive care unit and
placed on a
therapeutic diet. Which diet is most appropriate for the client?
1. A high-potassium and low-calcium diet.
2. A low-fat and low-cholesterol diet.
3. A high-carbohydrate and restricted-protein diet.
4. A regular diet with six (6) small feedings a day. - Ans✔✔-3. Carbohydrates
are increased to provide
for the client's caloric intake and protein
is restricted to minimize protein
breakdown and to prevent accumulation
of toxic waste products.
Exam Study Guide: GRADED
A+. Questions and Verified
Answers. Latest 2026 Update
1. The nurse is admitting a client diagnosed with acute renal failure (ARF).
Which
question is most important for the nurse to ask during the admission
interview?
1. "Have you recently traveled outside the United States?"
2. "Did you recently begin a vigorous exercise program?"
3. "Is there a chance you have been exposed to a virus?"
4. "What over-the-counter medications do you take regularly?" - Ans✔✔-4.
Medications such as nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
some herbal remedies are nephrotoxic;
therefore, asking about medications is
appropriate.
2. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with ARF. Which laboratory values
are most
significant for diagnosing ARF?
,1. BUN and creatinine.
2. WBC and hemoglobin.
3. Potassium and sodium.
4. Bilirubin and ammonia level. - Ans✔✔-1. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
reflect
the balance between the production and
excretion of urea from the kidneys.
Creatinine is a by-product of the metabolism
of the muscles and is excreted by
the kidneys. Creatinine is the ideal substance
for determining renal clearance
because it is relatively constant in the
body and is the laboratory value most
significant in diagnosing renal failure.
3. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with rule-out ARF. Which condition
predisposes the client to developing prerenal failure?
1. Diabetes mellitus.
2. Hypotension.
3. Aminoglycosides.
4. Benign prostatic hypertrophy. - Ans✔✔-2. Hypotension, which causes a
decreased
blood supply to the kidney, is one of the
most common causes of prerenal failure
(before the kidney).
,4. The client is diagnosed with ARF. Which signs/symptoms indicate to the
nurse the
client is in the recovery period? Select all that apply.
1. Increased alertness and no seizure activity.
2. Increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit.
3. Denial of nausea and vomiting.
4. Decreased urine-specific gravity.
5. Increased serum creatinine level. - Ans✔✔-1,2,3
5. The client diagnosed with ARF has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L.
Which
collaborative treatment should the nurse anticipate for the client?
1. Administer a phosphate binder.
2. Type and crossmatch for whole blood.
3. Assess the client for leg cramps.
4. Prepare the client for dialysis. - Ans✔✔-4. Normal potassium level is 3.5 to
5.5 mEq/L. A level of 6.8 mEq/L is life
threatening and could lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias. Therefore, the client may
be dialyzed to decrease the potassium
level quickly. This requires a health-care
provider order, so it is a collaborative
intervention.
, 6. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client diagnosed with ARF. Which
statement is an appropriate outcome for the client?
1. Monitor intake and output every shift.
2. Decrease of pain by 3 levels on a 1-10 scale.
3. Electrolytes are within normal limits.
4. Administer enemas to decrease hyperkalemia. - Ans✔✔-3. Renal failure
causes an imbalance of
electrolytes (potassium, sodium, calcium,
phosphorus). Therefore, the desired
client outcome is electrolytes within
normal limits.
7. The client diagnosed with ARF is admitted to the intensive care unit and
placed on a
therapeutic diet. Which diet is most appropriate for the client?
1. A high-potassium and low-calcium diet.
2. A low-fat and low-cholesterol diet.
3. A high-carbohydrate and restricted-protein diet.
4. A regular diet with six (6) small feedings a day. - Ans✔✔-3. Carbohydrates
are increased to provide
for the client's caloric intake and protein
is restricted to minimize protein
breakdown and to prevent accumulation
of toxic waste products.
