,Herzing NU 623 Quiz 4 | Adult Healthcare
(2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
in adults?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Glomerulonephritis
D) Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of CKD in the United States,
accounting for nearly half of all cases. Hypertension is the second most common
cause. Glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease are also causes but are less
prevalent overall.
2. The nurse is teaching a patient with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD)
about dietary modifications. Which dietary restriction is most important to
emphasize?
A) High potassium restriction
B) High protein intake
C) Low protein intake
D) High fluid intake
Correct Answer: C) Low protein intake
,Rationale: In CKD, a low-protein diet helps reduce the buildup of urea and other
nitrogenous waste products, slowing disease progression. Potassium and fluid
restrictions become more important in later stages. High protein intake would
exacerbate uremia and accelerate kidney damage.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease is noted to have a serum potassium level of
6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer oral potassium supplements
B) Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
C) Increase the patient's fluid intake
D) Encourage a high-potassium diet
Correct Answer: B) Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
arrhythmias. The priority is to place the patient on a cardiac monitor to detect any
dysrhythmias immediately. Potassium supplements would worsen the condition, and
increasing fluid intake is not a rapid intervention for hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is scheduled for hemodialysis. The
nurse reviews the medications and knows that which drug should be held prior to
dialysis?
A) Vitamin D supplement
B) Epoetin alfa
C) Labetalol
D) Iron supplement
Correct Answer: C) Labetalol
, Rationale: Antihypertensive medications like labetalol are often held before
hemodialysis to prevent hypotension during the procedure, which removes fluid and
can drop blood pressure. Epoetin alfa and iron are administered to treat anemia and
are not typically held before dialysis.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). The nurse
should monitor which laboratory value to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy?
A) White blood cell count
B) Serum potassium
C) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
D) Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: C) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis and is used to treat anemia in CKD.
The effectiveness is measured by monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit levels,
which should increase with therapy. Serum creatinine is used to monitor kidney
function, and serum potassium is monitored for hyperkalemia.
6. Which of the following is a classic physical assessment finding in a patient with
chronic kidney disease?
A) Jaundice
B) Uremic frost
C) Hyperactive bowel sounds
D) Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: B) Uremic frost
(2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
in adults?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Glomerulonephritis
D) Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of CKD in the United States,
accounting for nearly half of all cases. Hypertension is the second most common
cause. Glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease are also causes but are less
prevalent overall.
2. The nurse is teaching a patient with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD)
about dietary modifications. Which dietary restriction is most important to
emphasize?
A) High potassium restriction
B) High protein intake
C) Low protein intake
D) High fluid intake
Correct Answer: C) Low protein intake
,Rationale: In CKD, a low-protein diet helps reduce the buildup of urea and other
nitrogenous waste products, slowing disease progression. Potassium and fluid
restrictions become more important in later stages. High protein intake would
exacerbate uremia and accelerate kidney damage.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease is noted to have a serum potassium level of
6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer oral potassium supplements
B) Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
C) Increase the patient's fluid intake
D) Encourage a high-potassium diet
Correct Answer: B) Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
arrhythmias. The priority is to place the patient on a cardiac monitor to detect any
dysrhythmias immediately. Potassium supplements would worsen the condition, and
increasing fluid intake is not a rapid intervention for hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is scheduled for hemodialysis. The
nurse reviews the medications and knows that which drug should be held prior to
dialysis?
A) Vitamin D supplement
B) Epoetin alfa
C) Labetalol
D) Iron supplement
Correct Answer: C) Labetalol
, Rationale: Antihypertensive medications like labetalol are often held before
hemodialysis to prevent hypotension during the procedure, which removes fluid and
can drop blood pressure. Epoetin alfa and iron are administered to treat anemia and
are not typically held before dialysis.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). The nurse
should monitor which laboratory value to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy?
A) White blood cell count
B) Serum potassium
C) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
D) Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: C) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis and is used to treat anemia in CKD.
The effectiveness is measured by monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit levels,
which should increase with therapy. Serum creatinine is used to monitor kidney
function, and serum potassium is monitored for hyperkalemia.
6. Which of the following is a classic physical assessment finding in a patient with
chronic kidney disease?
A) Jaundice
B) Uremic frost
C) Hyperactive bowel sounds
D) Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: B) Uremic frost
