NR 226 Adult Health I Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fluid volume deficit. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Distended neck veins
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a common sign of fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia)
due to reduced circulating blood volume. The other options indicate fluid volume excess.
2. Which laboratory value is the priority for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving a loop diuretic?
A. Serum sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Serum calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D. Blood urea nitrogen 15 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics often cause significant potassium loss. A value of 3.1 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia (normal range 3.5-5.0), which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
,3. A patient presents with a positive Chvostek sign. The nurse knows this is an
assessment finding for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia due to increased neuromuscular
excitability.
4. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates compensated respiratory
acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.36, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30
D. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
Answer: C
Rationale: In compensated respiratory acidosis, the pH is within the normal range but on
the acidic side (7.35-7.45), the PaCO2 is high, and the kidneys have retained HCO3 to
compensate.
5. During the preoperative phase, whose responsibility is it to obtain the
patient’s informed consent for surgery?
A. The scrub nurse
B. The anesthesiologist
C. The circulating nurse
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
, Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining
informed consent. The nurse may witness the signature.
6. A patient is 1-day postoperative and complains of calf pain. The nurse notes
redness and warmth in the area. What is the priority action?
A. Notify the provider and keep the patient on bed rest
B. Apply a cold compress
C. Massage the calf to improve circulation
D. Encourage the patient to walk more
Answer: A
Rationale: These are signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Massaging or walking could
dislodge a clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism. The provider must be notified
immediately.
7. Which medication is commonly used as an antidote for malignant
hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Naloxone
B. Dantrolene
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat the
metabolic crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with a fluid volume deficit. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Distended neck veins
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a common sign of fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia)
due to reduced circulating blood volume. The other options indicate fluid volume excess.
2. Which laboratory value is the priority for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving a loop diuretic?
A. Serum sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Serum calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D. Blood urea nitrogen 15 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics often cause significant potassium loss. A value of 3.1 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia (normal range 3.5-5.0), which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
,3. A patient presents with a positive Chvostek sign. The nurse knows this is an
assessment finding for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia due to increased neuromuscular
excitability.
4. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates compensated respiratory
acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.36, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30
D. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24
Answer: C
Rationale: In compensated respiratory acidosis, the pH is within the normal range but on
the acidic side (7.35-7.45), the PaCO2 is high, and the kidneys have retained HCO3 to
compensate.
5. During the preoperative phase, whose responsibility is it to obtain the
patient’s informed consent for surgery?
A. The scrub nurse
B. The anesthesiologist
C. The circulating nurse
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
, Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining
informed consent. The nurse may witness the signature.
6. A patient is 1-day postoperative and complains of calf pain. The nurse notes
redness and warmth in the area. What is the priority action?
A. Notify the provider and keep the patient on bed rest
B. Apply a cold compress
C. Massage the calf to improve circulation
D. Encourage the patient to walk more
Answer: A
Rationale: These are signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Massaging or walking could
dislodge a clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism. The provider must be notified
immediately.
7. Which medication is commonly used as an antidote for malignant
hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Naloxone
B. Dantrolene
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat the
metabolic crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
