Galen NSG 3100 Exam 4 | Fundamental Concepts & Skills I
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which statement best describes the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?
A) It regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through vasoconstriction and sodium
reabsorption or excretion
B) It primarily controls the body's immune response to infection
C) It regulates body temperature through sweat production
D) It controls the release of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: A) It regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through vasoconstriction and
sodium reabsorption or excretion
Rationale: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates blood pressure and fluid
balance through vasoconstriction and the excretion or reabsorption of sodium. It is a critical
hormonal system for maintaining hemodynamic stability and fluid volume homeostasis .
2. What is the primary action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the body?
A) It increases urine output by promoting diuresis
B) It helps blood vessels constrict and helps the kidneys control the amount of water and salt in
the body
C) It stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow
D) It regulates calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: B) It helps blood vessels constrict and helps the kidneys control the amount of
water and salt in the body
,Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) helps blood vessels constrict and assists the kidneys in
controlling the amount of water and salt in the body. ADH is released from the posterior
pituitary gland in response to increased serum osmolality or decreased blood volume .
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with low albumin levels. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A) Generalized 3+ pitting edema due to decreased oncotic pressure
B) Dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor
C) Hypertension and bounding pulses
D) Weight loss without edema
Correct Answer: A) Generalized 3+ pitting edema due to decreased oncotic pressure
Rationale: Low albumin levels result in decreased oncotic pressure because plasma proteins are
too large to pass through the capillary membrane and normally hold fluid in the intravascular
space. When albumin is low, fluid leaks into interstitial spaces, causing generalized pitting
edema .
4. What is the normal serum sodium range?
A) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B) 136-145 mEq/L
C) 9-10.5 mg/dL
D) 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) 136-145 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal serum sodium level is 136-145 mEq/L. Sodium is regulated by the
secretion of aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Dietary sources of sodium include
bread, cereal, cheese, and canned foods .
,5. Which electrolyte has a normal serum range of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L and is regulated by the
kidneys?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium has a normal serum range of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L and is regulated by the kidneys
through reabsorption or excretion. Dietary sources include fish, whole grains, dark green leafy
vegetables, and nuts .
6. A patient's serum calcium level is 8.2 mg/dL. Which finding should the nurse anticipate?
A) Positive Chvostek sign
B) Hypertension and bradycardia
C) Increased deep tendon reflexes only
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: A) Positive Chvostek sign
Rationale: A calcium level of 8.2 mg/dL indicates hypocalcemia (normal 9-10.5 mg/dL).
Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, and a positive Chvostek sign (facial muscle
twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic finding. Calcium is regulated by
parathyroid hormone; when serum calcium drops, PTH and calcitriol pull calcium from the
bones .
, 7. Which isotonic solution may be ordered for fluid replacement?
A) 3% Normal Saline
B) 0.45% Normal Saline
C) Lactated Ringer solution
D) 0.33% Normal Saline
Correct Answer: C) Lactated Ringer solution
Rationale: Lactated Ringer's solution is an isotonic crystalloid used for fluid replacement. It
contains sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and lactate and is commonly used for
hypovolemia and fluid resuscitation. Hypotonic solutions include 0.45% NS and 0.33% NS, while
3% NS is hypertonic .
8. A patient with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L requires priority nursing assessment of
which body system?
A) Respiratory system
B) Neurological system
C) Cardiovascular system
D) Gastrointestinal system
Correct Answer: B) Neurological system
Rationale: A serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia. Sodium is the
primary determinant of serum osmolality, and severe hyponatremia causes water to shift into
brain cells, leading to cerebral edema. The neurological system should be monitored for
confusion, seizures, and altered level of consciousness .
9. Which of the following is an isotonic solution?
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which statement best describes the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?
A) It regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through vasoconstriction and sodium
reabsorption or excretion
B) It primarily controls the body's immune response to infection
C) It regulates body temperature through sweat production
D) It controls the release of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: A) It regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through vasoconstriction and
sodium reabsorption or excretion
Rationale: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates blood pressure and fluid
balance through vasoconstriction and the excretion or reabsorption of sodium. It is a critical
hormonal system for maintaining hemodynamic stability and fluid volume homeostasis .
2. What is the primary action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the body?
A) It increases urine output by promoting diuresis
B) It helps blood vessels constrict and helps the kidneys control the amount of water and salt in
the body
C) It stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow
D) It regulates calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: B) It helps blood vessels constrict and helps the kidneys control the amount of
water and salt in the body
,Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) helps blood vessels constrict and assists the kidneys in
controlling the amount of water and salt in the body. ADH is released from the posterior
pituitary gland in response to increased serum osmolality or decreased blood volume .
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with low albumin levels. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A) Generalized 3+ pitting edema due to decreased oncotic pressure
B) Dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor
C) Hypertension and bounding pulses
D) Weight loss without edema
Correct Answer: A) Generalized 3+ pitting edema due to decreased oncotic pressure
Rationale: Low albumin levels result in decreased oncotic pressure because plasma proteins are
too large to pass through the capillary membrane and normally hold fluid in the intravascular
space. When albumin is low, fluid leaks into interstitial spaces, causing generalized pitting
edema .
4. What is the normal serum sodium range?
A) 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
B) 136-145 mEq/L
C) 9-10.5 mg/dL
D) 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B) 136-145 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal serum sodium level is 136-145 mEq/L. Sodium is regulated by the
secretion of aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Dietary sources of sodium include
bread, cereal, cheese, and canned foods .
,5. Which electrolyte has a normal serum range of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L and is regulated by the
kidneys?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium has a normal serum range of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L and is regulated by the kidneys
through reabsorption or excretion. Dietary sources include fish, whole grains, dark green leafy
vegetables, and nuts .
6. A patient's serum calcium level is 8.2 mg/dL. Which finding should the nurse anticipate?
A) Positive Chvostek sign
B) Hypertension and bradycardia
C) Increased deep tendon reflexes only
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: A) Positive Chvostek sign
Rationale: A calcium level of 8.2 mg/dL indicates hypocalcemia (normal 9-10.5 mg/dL).
Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, and a positive Chvostek sign (facial muscle
twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic finding. Calcium is regulated by
parathyroid hormone; when serum calcium drops, PTH and calcitriol pull calcium from the
bones .
, 7. Which isotonic solution may be ordered for fluid replacement?
A) 3% Normal Saline
B) 0.45% Normal Saline
C) Lactated Ringer solution
D) 0.33% Normal Saline
Correct Answer: C) Lactated Ringer solution
Rationale: Lactated Ringer's solution is an isotonic crystalloid used for fluid replacement. It
contains sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and lactate and is commonly used for
hypovolemia and fluid resuscitation. Hypotonic solutions include 0.45% NS and 0.33% NS, while
3% NS is hypertonic .
8. A patient with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L requires priority nursing assessment of
which body system?
A) Respiratory system
B) Neurological system
C) Cardiovascular system
D) Gastrointestinal system
Correct Answer: B) Neurological system
Rationale: A serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia. Sodium is the
primary determinant of serum osmolality, and severe hyponatremia causes water to shift into
brain cells, leading to cerebral edema. The neurological system should be monitored for
confusion, seizures, and altered level of consciousness .
9. Which of the following is an isotonic solution?
