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# NR 324: ADULT HEALTH I
## FINAL EXAM PRACTICE WORKBOOK
### 300+ QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
### 2026/2027 EDITION | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY ALIGNMENT
## SECTION I: FLUID, ELECTROLYTE, AND ACID-BASE BALANCE
### Questions 1-45 | High-Yield Exam Content
**Question 1**
What age group has the highest percentage of total body water content?
A) Older adults
B) Young adults
C) Preterm infants / Neonates
D) School-age children
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Preterm infants and neonates have the highest total body water
content due to immature body systems and a higher proportion of extracellular
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fluid. Total body water decreases with age as body fat increases and lean mass
proportionally decreases .
---
**Question 2**
Intracellular fluid (ICF) makes up what percent of total body weight?
A) 20%
B) 40%
C) 60%
D) 80%
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** ICF makes up approximately 40% of total body weight. The
extracellular fluid (ECF) makes up about 20% of total body weight, divided into
interstitial fluid and intravascular fluid (plasma) .
---
**Question 3**
The two main compartments containing extracellular fluid (ECF) are:
A) Intracellular and interstitial
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B) Interstitial and intravascular
C) Intravascular and transcellular
D) Transcellular and intracellular
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The two main ECF compartments are interstitial fluid (fluid in the
spaces between cells) and intravascular fluid (plasma). Other ECF compartments
include transcellular fluids (cerebrospinal, pericardial, synovial) .
---
**Question 4**
A patient's laboratory results show sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 3.0 mEq/L, and
calcium 8.0 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion only
B) Potassium chloride IV infusion only
C) Calcium gluconate IV infusion only
D) Replacement of all three electrolytes
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The patient has hyponatremia (Na 130), hypokalemia (K 3.0), and
hypocalcemia (Ca 8.0). All electrolyte imbalances require replacement. 0.9% NaCl
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addresses hyponatremia, KCl corrects hypokalemia, and calcium gluconate treats
hypocalcemia .
---
**Question 5**
Which EKG change is most consistent with hyperkalemia?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prominent U waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Hyperkalemia causes peaked (tall, tented) T waves on EKG. This is
an early sign of hyperkalemia requiring prompt treatment. Flattened T waves and U
waves indicate hypokalemia .
---
**Question 6**
Which EKG change is most consistent with hypokalemia?
A) Peaked T waves
# NR 324: ADULT HEALTH I
## FINAL EXAM PRACTICE WORKBOOK
### 300+ QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
### 2026/2027 EDITION | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY ALIGNMENT
## SECTION I: FLUID, ELECTROLYTE, AND ACID-BASE BALANCE
### Questions 1-45 | High-Yield Exam Content
**Question 1**
What age group has the highest percentage of total body water content?
A) Older adults
B) Young adults
C) Preterm infants / Neonates
D) School-age children
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Preterm infants and neonates have the highest total body water
content due to immature body systems and a higher proportion of extracellular
,2|Page
fluid. Total body water decreases with age as body fat increases and lean mass
proportionally decreases .
---
**Question 2**
Intracellular fluid (ICF) makes up what percent of total body weight?
A) 20%
B) 40%
C) 60%
D) 80%
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** ICF makes up approximately 40% of total body weight. The
extracellular fluid (ECF) makes up about 20% of total body weight, divided into
interstitial fluid and intravascular fluid (plasma) .
---
**Question 3**
The two main compartments containing extracellular fluid (ECF) are:
A) Intracellular and interstitial
,3|Page
B) Interstitial and intravascular
C) Intravascular and transcellular
D) Transcellular and intracellular
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The two main ECF compartments are interstitial fluid (fluid in the
spaces between cells) and intravascular fluid (plasma). Other ECF compartments
include transcellular fluids (cerebrospinal, pericardial, synovial) .
---
**Question 4**
A patient's laboratory results show sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 3.0 mEq/L, and
calcium 8.0 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion only
B) Potassium chloride IV infusion only
C) Calcium gluconate IV infusion only
D) Replacement of all three electrolytes
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The patient has hyponatremia (Na 130), hypokalemia (K 3.0), and
hypocalcemia (Ca 8.0). All electrolyte imbalances require replacement. 0.9% NaCl
, 4|Page
addresses hyponatremia, KCl corrects hypokalemia, and calcium gluconate treats
hypocalcemia .
---
**Question 5**
Which EKG change is most consistent with hyperkalemia?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Peaked T waves
C) Prominent U waves
D) Prolonged QT interval
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Hyperkalemia causes peaked (tall, tented) T waves on EKG. This is
an early sign of hyperkalemia requiring prompt treatment. Flattened T waves and U
waves indicate hypokalemia .
---
**Question 6**
Which EKG change is most consistent with hypokalemia?
A) Peaked T waves
