NSG-3850 EXAM 1
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
1. Which electrolytes are characteristically high in the intracellular
compartment?
A. Sodium and chloride
B. Potassium, magnesium, and phosphates
C. Sodium and bicarbonate
D. Calcium and chloride
Rationale: The intracellular compartment is rich in potassium, magnesium, and
organic/inorganic phosphates, and low in sodium and chloride.
2. Which extracellular compartment is rich in protein?
A. Interstitial
B. Transcellular
C. Vascular
D. Intracellular
Rationale: The vascular compartment is protein-rich, the interstitial compartment
is protein deficient, and the transcellular compartment is rich in sodium, chloride,
and bicarbonate.
3. Which of the following are examples of transcellular fluid? (Select all that
apply)
A. Cerebrospinal fluid
B. Pleural fluid
C. Synovial fluid
D. Intracellular water
,Rationale: Transcellular fluid is contained in specialized body compartments
(cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial cavities) and is secreted by epithelial cells.
4. Which of the following stimulate the thirst mechanism? (Select all that apply)
A. Increased osmolarity of extracellular fluid
B. Decreased circulating blood volume (blood loss)
C. Dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth
D. Increased blood pressure
Rationale: These triggers activate thirst. The mechanism is decreased in older
adults, so thirst may not be a reliable indicator in this group.
5. Why do patients with cirrhosis develop edema and ascites?
A. High albumin increases hydrostatic pressure
B. Low albumin reduces oncotic pressure (osmotic pressure exerted by proteins)
C. Excess ADH causes water loss
D. Increased capillary oncotic pressure pushes fluid outward
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by proteins. With low
albumin, fluid is not held in the vascular space.
6. What term describes increased urine output caused by the excretion of
substances such as glucose, mannitol, or contrast agents?
A. Antidiuresis
B. Osmotic diuresis
C. Oliguria
D. Diabetes insipidus
Rationale: These substances are excreted in the urine and draw water with them,
increasing urine output.
7. Match the force with its description.
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure: inward pulling force of proteins
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure: outward push of vascular fluid against capillary
walls
C. Interstitial oncotic pressure: outward push of vascular fluid
,D. Oncotic pressure: force exerted by sodium only
Rationale: Capillary hydrostatic pressure is the outward push of vascular fluid
against capillary walls. Interstitial fluid colloid/oncotic pressure is the inward
pulling force of particles (proteins) in the interstitial fluid.
8. Which statement about diffusion and osmosis is correct?
A. Diffusion moves from lower to higher concentration; osmosis moves from
higher to lower
B. Diffusion moves from higher to lower concentration; osmosis moves water from
lower to higher solute concentration
C. Both move solutes from lower to higher concentration
D. Electrolytes move freely across membranes, but water does not
Rationale: Only water moves freely, not electrolytes.
9. Which of the following are normal ways of losing fluid? (Select all that apply)
A. Sweating
B. Urinating
C. Bowel movements
D. Breathing
Rationale: These are normal routes of fluid loss. Wounds, hemorrhage, trauma,
burns, vomiting, paracentesis, and GI tubes are abnormal fluid excretions.
10. Why is adequate blood pressure essential to fluid homeostasis?
A. It is needed to perfuse the kidneys, which receive about 25% of cardiac output
B. It prevents the release of ADH
C. It stops aldosterone secretion
D. It increases thirst
Rationale: Good BP is needed to perfuse the kidneys, which must be healthy to
maintain fluid homeostasis.
11. Which hormone is known as the "free water hormone"?
A. Aldosterone
B. ADH
, C. Insulin
D. Glucagon
Rationale: ADH causes reabsorption of water by the renal collecting ducts, which
dilutes the blood and other body fluids.
12. Which hormone is known as the "salt water hormone," and what does it do?
A. ADH; dilutes the blood
B. Aldosterone; causes renal tubules to reabsorb sodium and water, expanding
extracellular fluid volume
C. Aldosterone; causes sodium excretion
D. ADH; causes renal tubules to excrete sodium
Rationale: Aldosterone expands extracellular fluid volume by promoting sodium
and water reabsorption.
13. Which are abnormal fluid excretions? (Select all that apply)
A. Wounds
B. Hemorrhage
C. Burns
D. Vomiting
Rationale: Trauma, paracentesis, and GI tubes also cause abnormal fluid loss.
14. Which geriatric considerations increase risk of fluid imbalance? (Select all
that apply)
A. Impaired thirst mechanism
B. Inability to swallow
C. Misuse of medications
D. Higher glomerular filtration rate
Rationale: Older adults have a lower filtration rate, not higher, plus a diminished
thirst mechanism.
15. Extracellular volume (ECV) deficit is caused by removal of what?
A. Pure water
B. Salt-containing fluid from the volume
C. Protein only
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
1. Which electrolytes are characteristically high in the intracellular
compartment?
A. Sodium and chloride
B. Potassium, magnesium, and phosphates
C. Sodium and bicarbonate
D. Calcium and chloride
Rationale: The intracellular compartment is rich in potassium, magnesium, and
organic/inorganic phosphates, and low in sodium and chloride.
2. Which extracellular compartment is rich in protein?
A. Interstitial
B. Transcellular
C. Vascular
D. Intracellular
Rationale: The vascular compartment is protein-rich, the interstitial compartment
is protein deficient, and the transcellular compartment is rich in sodium, chloride,
and bicarbonate.
3. Which of the following are examples of transcellular fluid? (Select all that
apply)
A. Cerebrospinal fluid
B. Pleural fluid
C. Synovial fluid
D. Intracellular water
,Rationale: Transcellular fluid is contained in specialized body compartments
(cerebrospinal, pleural, and synovial cavities) and is secreted by epithelial cells.
4. Which of the following stimulate the thirst mechanism? (Select all that apply)
A. Increased osmolarity of extracellular fluid
B. Decreased circulating blood volume (blood loss)
C. Dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth
D. Increased blood pressure
Rationale: These triggers activate thirst. The mechanism is decreased in older
adults, so thirst may not be a reliable indicator in this group.
5. Why do patients with cirrhosis develop edema and ascites?
A. High albumin increases hydrostatic pressure
B. Low albumin reduces oncotic pressure (osmotic pressure exerted by proteins)
C. Excess ADH causes water loss
D. Increased capillary oncotic pressure pushes fluid outward
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by proteins. With low
albumin, fluid is not held in the vascular space.
6. What term describes increased urine output caused by the excretion of
substances such as glucose, mannitol, or contrast agents?
A. Antidiuresis
B. Osmotic diuresis
C. Oliguria
D. Diabetes insipidus
Rationale: These substances are excreted in the urine and draw water with them,
increasing urine output.
7. Match the force with its description.
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure: inward pulling force of proteins
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure: outward push of vascular fluid against capillary
walls
C. Interstitial oncotic pressure: outward push of vascular fluid
,D. Oncotic pressure: force exerted by sodium only
Rationale: Capillary hydrostatic pressure is the outward push of vascular fluid
against capillary walls. Interstitial fluid colloid/oncotic pressure is the inward
pulling force of particles (proteins) in the interstitial fluid.
8. Which statement about diffusion and osmosis is correct?
A. Diffusion moves from lower to higher concentration; osmosis moves from
higher to lower
B. Diffusion moves from higher to lower concentration; osmosis moves water from
lower to higher solute concentration
C. Both move solutes from lower to higher concentration
D. Electrolytes move freely across membranes, but water does not
Rationale: Only water moves freely, not electrolytes.
9. Which of the following are normal ways of losing fluid? (Select all that apply)
A. Sweating
B. Urinating
C. Bowel movements
D. Breathing
Rationale: These are normal routes of fluid loss. Wounds, hemorrhage, trauma,
burns, vomiting, paracentesis, and GI tubes are abnormal fluid excretions.
10. Why is adequate blood pressure essential to fluid homeostasis?
A. It is needed to perfuse the kidneys, which receive about 25% of cardiac output
B. It prevents the release of ADH
C. It stops aldosterone secretion
D. It increases thirst
Rationale: Good BP is needed to perfuse the kidneys, which must be healthy to
maintain fluid homeostasis.
11. Which hormone is known as the "free water hormone"?
A. Aldosterone
B. ADH
, C. Insulin
D. Glucagon
Rationale: ADH causes reabsorption of water by the renal collecting ducts, which
dilutes the blood and other body fluids.
12. Which hormone is known as the "salt water hormone," and what does it do?
A. ADH; dilutes the blood
B. Aldosterone; causes renal tubules to reabsorb sodium and water, expanding
extracellular fluid volume
C. Aldosterone; causes sodium excretion
D. ADH; causes renal tubules to excrete sodium
Rationale: Aldosterone expands extracellular fluid volume by promoting sodium
and water reabsorption.
13. Which are abnormal fluid excretions? (Select all that apply)
A. Wounds
B. Hemorrhage
C. Burns
D. Vomiting
Rationale: Trauma, paracentesis, and GI tubes also cause abnormal fluid loss.
14. Which geriatric considerations increase risk of fluid imbalance? (Select all
that apply)
A. Impaired thirst mechanism
B. Inability to swallow
C. Misuse of medications
D. Higher glomerular filtration rate
Rationale: Older adults have a lower filtration rate, not higher, plus a diminished
thirst mechanism.
15. Extracellular volume (ECV) deficit is caused by removal of what?
A. Pure water
B. Salt-containing fluid from the volume
C. Protein only
