NUR 2502 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE
FINAL EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this indicate?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is above 45
(respiratory origin), while the HCO3 is normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of a patient experiencing hypocalcemia?
A. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
,C. Shortened QT interval
D. Polyuria and polydipsia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
signs like Trousseau’s (carpal spasm with BP cuff) and Chvostek’s (facial twitch).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG change is the
nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and wide
QRS complexes as the potassium level rises.
4. Which type of IV fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume expansion in
hypovolemic shock?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
, D. Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: 0.9% NaCl (Normal Saline) is an isotonic crystalloid used to
increase extracellular fluid volume.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. What is
the primary concern when administering high-flow oxygen to this patient?
A. Risk of oxygen toxicity to the retinas
B. Development of metabolic alkalosis
C. Increased risk of pulmonary embolism
D. Suppression of the respiratory drive
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In some patients with chronic hypercapnia, the respiratory drive
shifts from CO2 levels to low O2 levels; providing too much O2 can suppress this drive.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C. Orthopnea
D. Peripheral edema
FINAL EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this indicate?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is above 45
(respiratory origin), while the HCO3 is normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of a patient experiencing hypocalcemia?
A. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
,C. Shortened QT interval
D. Polyuria and polydipsia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
signs like Trousseau’s (carpal spasm with BP cuff) and Chvostek’s (facial twitch).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG change is the
nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and wide
QRS complexes as the potassium level rises.
4. Which type of IV fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume expansion in
hypovolemic shock?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
, D. Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: 0.9% NaCl (Normal Saline) is an isotonic crystalloid used to
increase extracellular fluid volume.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. What is
the primary concern when administering high-flow oxygen to this patient?
A. Risk of oxygen toxicity to the retinas
B. Development of metabolic alkalosis
C. Increased risk of pulmonary embolism
D. Suppression of the respiratory drive
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In some patients with chronic hypercapnia, the respiratory drive
shifts from CO2 levels to low O2 levels; providing too much O2 can suppress this drive.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C. Orthopnea
D. Peripheral edema
