HONDROS NURSING 172 EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025
Topic Areas: IV Therapy, Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, Med-Surg, Pharmacology,
Nursing Process
1. A patient with heart failure is receiving IV furosemide. What
electrolyte imbalance is most likely to occur?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes potassium
excretion, increasing the risk for hypokalemia.
,2. A patient receiving IV fluids develops shortness of breath, crackles in
the lungs, and increased blood pressure. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Slow the IV rate
B. Stop the IV and notify the provider
C. Administer oxygen
D. Assess for fluid volume overload and elevate the head of the bed
Rationale: These signs indicate fluid overload. Elevating the head of
the bed improves breathing while continuing assessment.
3. Which IV solution is isotonic and commonly used for fluid
resuscitation?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 0.9% Normal Saline
C. D5W
D. 3% NaCl
Rationale: 0.9% NS is isotonic and is commonly used to expand
extracellular fluid volume.
4. A patient is admitted with dehydration. Which lab result is expected?
A. Decreased serum sodium
B. Increased hematocrit
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
, D. Decreased BUN
Rationale: Dehydration leads to hemoconcentration, which increases
hematocrit.
5. Which symptom would you expect in a patient with hyponatremia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Confusion and seizures
C. Hypertension
D. Muscle twitching
Rationale: Hyponatremia affects neurological function, leading to
confusion and potential seizures.
6. What is the nurse’s best response when a patient refuses an ordered
IV antibiotic?
A. Notify the charge nurse
B. Educate the patient on the importance and risks, then document
refusal
C. Call pharmacy
D. Reschedule the dose
Rationale: The nurse must respect patient autonomy, educate them,
and document refusal.
, 7. A patient with hypocalcemia would likely exhibit:
A. Decreased reflexes
B. Positive Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs
C. Hypertension
D. Warm, flushed skin
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability,
leading to these positive signs.
8. Which of the following orders should the nurse question in a patient
with a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Spironolactone 25 mg PO daily
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C. Cardiac monitoring
D. Limit potassium-rich foods
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and should
be avoided in hyperkalemia.
9. What is the most appropriate nursing action for an infiltrated IV site?
A. Elevate the arm and apply heat
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
C. Flush the site with saline
D. Restart the IV in the same site
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025
Topic Areas: IV Therapy, Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, Med-Surg, Pharmacology,
Nursing Process
1. A patient with heart failure is receiving IV furosemide. What
electrolyte imbalance is most likely to occur?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes potassium
excretion, increasing the risk for hypokalemia.
,2. A patient receiving IV fluids develops shortness of breath, crackles in
the lungs, and increased blood pressure. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Slow the IV rate
B. Stop the IV and notify the provider
C. Administer oxygen
D. Assess for fluid volume overload and elevate the head of the bed
Rationale: These signs indicate fluid overload. Elevating the head of
the bed improves breathing while continuing assessment.
3. Which IV solution is isotonic and commonly used for fluid
resuscitation?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 0.9% Normal Saline
C. D5W
D. 3% NaCl
Rationale: 0.9% NS is isotonic and is commonly used to expand
extracellular fluid volume.
4. A patient is admitted with dehydration. Which lab result is expected?
A. Decreased serum sodium
B. Increased hematocrit
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
, D. Decreased BUN
Rationale: Dehydration leads to hemoconcentration, which increases
hematocrit.
5. Which symptom would you expect in a patient with hyponatremia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Confusion and seizures
C. Hypertension
D. Muscle twitching
Rationale: Hyponatremia affects neurological function, leading to
confusion and potential seizures.
6. What is the nurse’s best response when a patient refuses an ordered
IV antibiotic?
A. Notify the charge nurse
B. Educate the patient on the importance and risks, then document
refusal
C. Call pharmacy
D. Reschedule the dose
Rationale: The nurse must respect patient autonomy, educate them,
and document refusal.
, 7. A patient with hypocalcemia would likely exhibit:
A. Decreased reflexes
B. Positive Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs
C. Hypertension
D. Warm, flushed skin
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability,
leading to these positive signs.
8. Which of the following orders should the nurse question in a patient
with a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Spironolactone 25 mg PO daily
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C. Cardiac monitoring
D. Limit potassium-rich foods
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and should
be avoided in hyperkalemia.
9. What is the most appropriate nursing action for an infiltrated IV site?
A. Elevate the arm and apply heat
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
C. Flush the site with saline
D. Restart the IV in the same site
