ATI RN FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES EXAM
NEWEST EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF*
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases circulating blood volume,
which can cause tachycardia, weak pulses, orthostatic hypotension,
dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output.
2. Which finding is most indicative of fluid volume excess?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Weight loss
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Poor skin turgor
Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Excess fluid can accumulate in the pulmonary tissues,
producing crackles and potentially causing pulmonary edema.
,3. A client has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which finding should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Confusion
B. Extreme thirst
C. Dry skin
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A. Confusion
Rationale: Hyponatremia can cause neurologic manifestations such as
headache, confusion, lethargy, seizures, and decreased level of
consciousness.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which manifestation
should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Intense thirst
C. Abdominal cramping
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: B. Intense thirst
Rationale: Hypernatremia commonly causes thirst, dry mucous
membranes, restlessness, irritability, and neurologic changes.
5. Which laboratory value should the nurse recognize as within the
expected range for serum potassium?
A. 2.5 mEq/L
B. 3.8 mEq/L
,C. 5.8 mEq/L
D. 6.5 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is approximately 3.5–5.0 mEq/L,
although laboratory reference ranges can vary slightly.
6. Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked T waves and, as
potassium rises further, widened QRS complexes, conduction
abnormalities, and potentially fatal dysrhythmias.
7. Which ECG finding is commonly associated with hypokalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B. U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia can produce flattened T waves, ST
depression, and prominent U waves.
, 8. A client receiving IV potassium reports burning at the IV site. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and assess the IV site
C. Flush the catheter rapidly
D. Apply a heating pad
Answer: B. Stop the infusion and assess the IV site
Rationale: IV potassium can cause significant tissue injury if
infiltration or extravasation occurs. The infusion should be stopped
and the site assessed.
9. Which action is appropriate when administering IV potassium
chloride?
A. Administer it by IV push.
B. Dilute it according to facility policy.
C. Give it rapidly for severe hypokalemia.
D. Administer it without an infusion pump.
Answer: B. Dilute it according to facility policy.
Rationale: Potassium chloride must be diluted and administered at a
controlled rate. IV potassium should never be given by IV push
because it can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
10. Which food is a good dietary source of potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Hard candy
D. Egg whites
NEWEST EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF*
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases circulating blood volume,
which can cause tachycardia, weak pulses, orthostatic hypotension,
dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output.
2. Which finding is most indicative of fluid volume excess?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Weight loss
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Poor skin turgor
Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Excess fluid can accumulate in the pulmonary tissues,
producing crackles and potentially causing pulmonary edema.
,3. A client has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which finding should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Confusion
B. Extreme thirst
C. Dry skin
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A. Confusion
Rationale: Hyponatremia can cause neurologic manifestations such as
headache, confusion, lethargy, seizures, and decreased level of
consciousness.
4. A client has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which manifestation
should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Intense thirst
C. Abdominal cramping
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: B. Intense thirst
Rationale: Hypernatremia commonly causes thirst, dry mucous
membranes, restlessness, irritability, and neurologic changes.
5. Which laboratory value should the nurse recognize as within the
expected range for serum potassium?
A. 2.5 mEq/L
B. 3.8 mEq/L
,C. 5.8 mEq/L
D. 6.5 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is approximately 3.5–5.0 mEq/L,
although laboratory reference ranges can vary slightly.
6. Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked T waves and, as
potassium rises further, widened QRS complexes, conduction
abnormalities, and potentially fatal dysrhythmias.
7. Which ECG finding is commonly associated with hypokalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B. U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia can produce flattened T waves, ST
depression, and prominent U waves.
, 8. A client receiving IV potassium reports burning at the IV site. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and assess the IV site
C. Flush the catheter rapidly
D. Apply a heating pad
Answer: B. Stop the infusion and assess the IV site
Rationale: IV potassium can cause significant tissue injury if
infiltration or extravasation occurs. The infusion should be stopped
and the site assessed.
9. Which action is appropriate when administering IV potassium
chloride?
A. Administer it by IV push.
B. Dilute it according to facility policy.
C. Give it rapidly for severe hypokalemia.
D. Administer it without an infusion pump.
Answer: B. Dilute it according to facility policy.
Rationale: Potassium chloride must be diluted and administered at a
controlled rate. IV potassium should never be given by IV push
because it can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
10. Which food is a good dietary source of potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Hard candy
D. Egg whites
