1
NSG 3850 EXAM 1 2026/2027 |
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES II | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE HOMEOSTASIS – Questions 1-15
Q1: Intracellular Fluid Composition
A nursing student is reviewing the distribution of body fluids. Which statement accurately describes
the composition of the intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment?
A. High in sodium and chloride; low in potassium
B. High in potassium, magnesium, and phosphate; low in sodium and chloride
C. Equal concentrations of sodium and potassium
D. High in sodium and bicarbonate; low in protein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ICF is rich in potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and phosphate, and low in sodium
(Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻). The ECF is high in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ .
Q2: Extracellular Fluid Components
The nurse is teaching a newly hired nurse about extracellular fluid components. Which statement by
the newly hired nurse indicates a correct understanding?
A. Extracellular fluid is rich in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus
B. Examples of extracellular fluids include intravascular, interstitial, and transcellular
C. Fluid volume excess is seen in clients who are on extensive bed rest
D. Homeostasis is achieved when there is an equal composition of electrolytes in all fluid
components
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Extracellular fluid (ECF) consists of three main components: intravascular fluid (plasma),
interstitial fluid, and transcellular fluid. ECF is rich in sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate, not
potassium .
Q3: Transcellular Fluid Definition
Which of the following best describes transcellular fluid?
A. Fluid within the cells
B. Fluid in the vascular space
, 2
C. Fluid in specialized compartments such as cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial cavities
D. Fluid in the interstitial space
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transcellular fluid is contained within specialized body compartments and is secreted by
epithelial cells. Examples include cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial fluids .
Q4: Fluid Volume Deficit Manifestation
The nurse is caring for a client who has a fluid volume deficit. The nurse recognizes which of the
following as a manifestation of fluid volume deficit?
A. Acute weight loss of less than or equal to 5%
B. Chest tightness and shortness of air
C. Postural hypertension
D. Low urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute weight loss is one of the most reliable indicators of fluid volume deficit. A weight
loss of 1 kg equals approximately 1 liter of fluid loss. Fluid volume deficit causes postural
hypotension (not hypertension), and urine specific gravity is HIGH (concentrated urine) .
Q5: Clinical Dehydration Manifestation
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with clinical dehydration. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect to see in the client?
A. Hypertension
B. Bulging eyes
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration. Dehydration causes
hypotension (not hypertension), sunken eyes (not bulging), and no edema .
Q6: Edema Mechanism
The nurse has attended a conference on fluid volume excess and edema. It would indicate a correct
understanding of the conference if the nurse states, "Edema occurs by:"
A. Leakage of vascular fluid into the interstitial fluid, which increases interstitial fluid hydrostatic
pressure
B. Altering the negative charge on the capillary basement membrane, which enables excessive fluid
to accumulate in the interstitial compartment
C. Allowing plasma proteins to leak into the interstitial fluid, which draws in excess fluid by
increasing interstitial fluid osmotic pressure
NSG 3850 EXAM 1 2026/2027 |
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES II | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE HOMEOSTASIS – Questions 1-15
Q1: Intracellular Fluid Composition
A nursing student is reviewing the distribution of body fluids. Which statement accurately describes
the composition of the intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment?
A. High in sodium and chloride; low in potassium
B. High in potassium, magnesium, and phosphate; low in sodium and chloride
C. Equal concentrations of sodium and potassium
D. High in sodium and bicarbonate; low in protein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ICF is rich in potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and phosphate, and low in sodium
(Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻). The ECF is high in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ .
Q2: Extracellular Fluid Components
The nurse is teaching a newly hired nurse about extracellular fluid components. Which statement by
the newly hired nurse indicates a correct understanding?
A. Extracellular fluid is rich in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus
B. Examples of extracellular fluids include intravascular, interstitial, and transcellular
C. Fluid volume excess is seen in clients who are on extensive bed rest
D. Homeostasis is achieved when there is an equal composition of electrolytes in all fluid
components
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Extracellular fluid (ECF) consists of three main components: intravascular fluid (plasma),
interstitial fluid, and transcellular fluid. ECF is rich in sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate, not
potassium .
Q3: Transcellular Fluid Definition
Which of the following best describes transcellular fluid?
A. Fluid within the cells
B. Fluid in the vascular space
, 2
C. Fluid in specialized compartments such as cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial cavities
D. Fluid in the interstitial space
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transcellular fluid is contained within specialized body compartments and is secreted by
epithelial cells. Examples include cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial fluids .
Q4: Fluid Volume Deficit Manifestation
The nurse is caring for a client who has a fluid volume deficit. The nurse recognizes which of the
following as a manifestation of fluid volume deficit?
A. Acute weight loss of less than or equal to 5%
B. Chest tightness and shortness of air
C. Postural hypertension
D. Low urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute weight loss is one of the most reliable indicators of fluid volume deficit. A weight
loss of 1 kg equals approximately 1 liter of fluid loss. Fluid volume deficit causes postural
hypotension (not hypertension), and urine specific gravity is HIGH (concentrated urine) .
Q5: Clinical Dehydration Manifestation
The nurse is caring for a client admitted with clinical dehydration. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect to see in the client?
A. Hypertension
B. Bulging eyes
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration. Dehydration causes
hypotension (not hypertension), sunken eyes (not bulging), and no edema .
Q6: Edema Mechanism
The nurse has attended a conference on fluid volume excess and edema. It would indicate a correct
understanding of the conference if the nurse states, "Edema occurs by:"
A. Leakage of vascular fluid into the interstitial fluid, which increases interstitial fluid hydrostatic
pressure
B. Altering the negative charge on the capillary basement membrane, which enables excessive fluid
to accumulate in the interstitial compartment
C. Allowing plasma proteins to leak into the interstitial fluid, which draws in excess fluid by
increasing interstitial fluid osmotic pressure
