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Fluid and Electrolytes NCLEX 2026
study guide questions and expert
verified answers with rationales already
graded A+, exams of nursing.
A client is brought to the emergency department for increasing weakness and muscle twitching.
The laboratory results include a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L (7.0 mmol/L). Which assessments
does the nurse make?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
A. History of liver disease
B. Use of salt substitute
C. Use of an ACE inhibitor
D. Potassium-sparing diuretics
E. Prescription for insulin --//ANS//--B, C, D,
RATIONALE:
When caring for an ED client with an elevated potassium level, the nurse needs to assess the
client for any use of salt substitutes, any use of ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics, as
well as kidney disease.History of liver disease does not increase the client's potassium level.
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Insulin, which moves potassium into the cell, can be used as a treatment for hyperkalemia, in
addition to diabetes. Taking insulin would lower the potassium level.
After receiving change-of-shift report, which client does the RN assess first?
A. A client with nausea and vomiting who complains of abdominal cramps
B. A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube who has dry oral mucosa and is complaining of thirst
C. A client receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics whose blood pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
D. A client with normal saline infusing at 150 mL/hr whose hourly urine output has been
averaging 75 mL --//ANS//--C. A client receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics whose blood
pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
RATIONALE:
The nurse must first assess the client receiving IV diuretics whose blood pressure is 88/52 mm
Hg. This client with hypotension may have developed hypoperfusion caused by hypovolemia.
Immediate interventions are needed.The client with nausea and vomiting, the client with an NG
tube complaining of thirst, and the client receiving normal saline with an hourly urine output of
75 mL/hr have problems which are not urgent at this time.
The primary care provider writes prescriptions for a client who is admitted with a serum
potassium level of 6.9 mEq/L (6.9 mmol/L). What does the nurse implement first?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally.
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B. Ensure that a potassium-restricted diet is ordered.
C. Place the client on a cardiac monitor.
D. Teach the client about foods that are high in potassium. --//ANS//--C. Place the client on a
cardiac monitor.
RATIONALE:
The nurse must first place this client on a monitor. Because hyperkalemia can lead to life-
threatening bradycardia, placing the client on a cardiac monitor permits early intervention in the
event of dysrhythmias.Administering a potassium-reducing medication, recommending a
potassium-restricted diet, and teaching the client about diet are appropriate but will not
immediately decrease the serum potassium level and do not need to be implemented as quickly
as monitoring cardiac rhythm.
The nurse is planning care for a 72-year-old resident of a long-term care facility who has a
history of dehydration. Which action does the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Assessing oral mucosa for dryness
B. Choosing appropriate oral fluids
C. Monitoring skin turgor for tenting
D. Offering fluids to drink every hour --//ANS//--D. Offering fluids to drink every hour
RATIONALE:
Fluid and Electrolytes NCLEX 2026
study guide questions and expert
verified answers with rationales already
graded A+, exams of nursing.
A client is brought to the emergency department for increasing weakness and muscle twitching.
The laboratory results include a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L (7.0 mmol/L). Which assessments
does the nurse make?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
A. History of liver disease
B. Use of salt substitute
C. Use of an ACE inhibitor
D. Potassium-sparing diuretics
E. Prescription for insulin --//ANS//--B, C, D,
RATIONALE:
When caring for an ED client with an elevated potassium level, the nurse needs to assess the
client for any use of salt substitutes, any use of ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics, as
well as kidney disease.History of liver disease does not increase the client's potassium level.
,2|Page
Insulin, which moves potassium into the cell, can be used as a treatment for hyperkalemia, in
addition to diabetes. Taking insulin would lower the potassium level.
After receiving change-of-shift report, which client does the RN assess first?
A. A client with nausea and vomiting who complains of abdominal cramps
B. A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube who has dry oral mucosa and is complaining of thirst
C. A client receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics whose blood pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
D. A client with normal saline infusing at 150 mL/hr whose hourly urine output has been
averaging 75 mL --//ANS//--C. A client receiving intravenous (IV) diuretics whose blood
pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
RATIONALE:
The nurse must first assess the client receiving IV diuretics whose blood pressure is 88/52 mm
Hg. This client with hypotension may have developed hypoperfusion caused by hypovolemia.
Immediate interventions are needed.The client with nausea and vomiting, the client with an NG
tube complaining of thirst, and the client receiving normal saline with an hourly urine output of
75 mL/hr have problems which are not urgent at this time.
The primary care provider writes prescriptions for a client who is admitted with a serum
potassium level of 6.9 mEq/L (6.9 mmol/L). What does the nurse implement first?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally.
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B. Ensure that a potassium-restricted diet is ordered.
C. Place the client on a cardiac monitor.
D. Teach the client about foods that are high in potassium. --//ANS//--C. Place the client on a
cardiac monitor.
RATIONALE:
The nurse must first place this client on a monitor. Because hyperkalemia can lead to life-
threatening bradycardia, placing the client on a cardiac monitor permits early intervention in the
event of dysrhythmias.Administering a potassium-reducing medication, recommending a
potassium-restricted diet, and teaching the client about diet are appropriate but will not
immediately decrease the serum potassium level and do not need to be implemented as quickly
as monitoring cardiac rhythm.
The nurse is planning care for a 72-year-old resident of a long-term care facility who has a
history of dehydration. Which action does the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Assessing oral mucosa for dryness
B. Choosing appropriate oral fluids
C. Monitoring skin turgor for tenting
D. Offering fluids to drink every hour --//ANS//--D. Offering fluids to drink every hour
RATIONALE:
