Nursing Concepts / Foundations II Exam 3 Study Guide 2026 |Galen
College
1. Which laboratory value is the primary indicator of a patient’s potassium
level?
A. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
2. A nurse observes a positive Chvostek sign in a patient. Which electrolyte
imbalance does this indicate?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Chvostek sign (facial twitching) is a classic sign of hypocalcemia or
hypomagnesemia.
,3. Which symptom is most characteristic of fluid volume excess?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Flat neck veins
C. Distended jugular veins
D. Dry mucous membranes
Answer: C
Rationale: Jugular venous distention is a common sign of fluid volume excess due to
increased venous pressure.
4. What is the first action a nurse should take when a patient shows signs of a
blood transfusion reaction?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Notify the provider
C. Stop the infusion immediately
D. Administer diphenhydramine
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action is to stop the transfusion to prevent further exposure to the
incompatible blood.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) and high PaCO2 (>45) indicate respiratory acidosis.
, 6. Which nurse is responsible for maintaining the sterile field and passing
instruments during surgery?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Circulating nurse
C. Registered Nurse First Assistant
D. CRNA
Answer: A
Rationale: The scrub nurse or surgical technologist works within the sterile field and
manages instruments.
7. What is the primary purpose of the surgical ‘Time-Out’?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To count the sponges after surgery
C. To verify patient identity, site, and procedure
D. To administer pre-operative antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: The Time-Out is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, site, and
procedure are identified before beginning.
8. Which medication is the antidote for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat
malignant hyperthermia.
College
1. Which laboratory value is the primary indicator of a patient’s potassium
level?
A. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
D. 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
2. A nurse observes a positive Chvostek sign in a patient. Which electrolyte
imbalance does this indicate?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Chvostek sign (facial twitching) is a classic sign of hypocalcemia or
hypomagnesemia.
,3. Which symptom is most characteristic of fluid volume excess?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Flat neck veins
C. Distended jugular veins
D. Dry mucous membranes
Answer: C
Rationale: Jugular venous distention is a common sign of fluid volume excess due to
increased venous pressure.
4. What is the first action a nurse should take when a patient shows signs of a
blood transfusion reaction?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Notify the provider
C. Stop the infusion immediately
D. Administer diphenhydramine
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action is to stop the transfusion to prevent further exposure to the
incompatible blood.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) and high PaCO2 (>45) indicate respiratory acidosis.
, 6. Which nurse is responsible for maintaining the sterile field and passing
instruments during surgery?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Circulating nurse
C. Registered Nurse First Assistant
D. CRNA
Answer: A
Rationale: The scrub nurse or surgical technologist works within the sterile field and
manages instruments.
7. What is the primary purpose of the surgical ‘Time-Out’?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To count the sponges after surgery
C. To verify patient identity, site, and procedure
D. To administer pre-operative antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: The Time-Out is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, site, and
procedure are identified before beginning.
8. Which medication is the antidote for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat
malignant hyperthermia.
