NURS 2300 Final Exam 2025 Questions
and Answers
What is the concept of fluid and electrolyte balance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--
Regulating the extracellular fluid volume (in blood vessels), body fluid osmolarity
(sodium concentrations), and plasma concentrations of electrolytes
What are the different types of fluid/electrolyte imbalances? (input vs output) - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Adequate output but deficient intake or absorption of
fluid/nutrients (not consuming enough fluids leads to hypernatremia due to
increased electrolyte concentrations)
Increased urinary output that is not balanced with an increased intake (diarrhea
increasing output of fluids/electrolytes, causing an ECV deficit and
osmolarity/electrolyte imbalances)
Output significantly less than excessive fluid intake (rapid IV fluid administration,
eating sodium and drinking excessive water that can lead to excessive fluid volume
before the kidneys can excrete the excess fluid and salt)
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 1
,Decreased output not balanced by a decreased intake (oliguria more likely to
develop excessive fluid volume and excessive electrolyte concentrations unless
intake is adjusted appropriately)
Populations at risk for disrupted fluid/electrolyte balance (Old vs Young) - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Infants are at a greater risk of developing fluid/electrolyte
imbalances due to:
-Increased metabolic rate
-Immature kidneys
-Rapid respiratory rate
-Proportionally greater body/surface area than adults
The elderly are at an increased risk of fluid/electrolyte imbalances due to:
-Diminished thirst sensation
-Kidneys are less responsive to antidiuretic hormones to manage water
concentrations
-Impaired ability to conserve water`
What are some symptoms or red flags that would indicate a fluid/electrolyte
imbalance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--The patient reports a history of:
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 2
,-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Kidney/Heart/Liver failure
-Unexplained nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle cramping,
edema, or sudden changes in weight
What diagnostic tests (lab values or other) that could be used to determine a fluid
and electrolyte imbalance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Any direct measurement of
serum levels, including the following results from a Basic Metabolic Panel:
-Sodium
-Potassium
-Calcium
-Magnesium
An EKG can also be utilized to detect any cardiac dysrhythmias from hyper or
hypokalemia
What clinical or collaborative interventions would be used to treat disrupted fluid
and electrolyte balances? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Most treatment strategies are
specific to the underlying cause but often include:
-Water replacement therapy (oral or intravenous fluids)
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 3
, -Electrolyte supplementation (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium)
-Diuretics to treat excessive fluid volume
-Monitoring fluid intake and output
Define fluid volume deficit - --CORRECT ANSWER--Also known as
dehydration, occurs when the fluid intake or retention of fluids are less than what
is required from the body, causing a deficient fluid volume
What causes fluid volume deficits? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Vomiting/diarrhea
Profuse sweating/diaphoresis
Burns or severe trauma/wounds
Long term NPO status
Diuretic therapy
GI suctioning
Difficulty swallowing or impaired thirst
Loss of consciousness
Fever
What assessment findings would concern the nurse for a fluid volume deficit? - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Recent unexplained weight loss
Laxative or diuretic use
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
and Answers
What is the concept of fluid and electrolyte balance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--
Regulating the extracellular fluid volume (in blood vessels), body fluid osmolarity
(sodium concentrations), and plasma concentrations of electrolytes
What are the different types of fluid/electrolyte imbalances? (input vs output) - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Adequate output but deficient intake or absorption of
fluid/nutrients (not consuming enough fluids leads to hypernatremia due to
increased electrolyte concentrations)
Increased urinary output that is not balanced with an increased intake (diarrhea
increasing output of fluids/electrolytes, causing an ECV deficit and
osmolarity/electrolyte imbalances)
Output significantly less than excessive fluid intake (rapid IV fluid administration,
eating sodium and drinking excessive water that can lead to excessive fluid volume
before the kidneys can excrete the excess fluid and salt)
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 1
,Decreased output not balanced by a decreased intake (oliguria more likely to
develop excessive fluid volume and excessive electrolyte concentrations unless
intake is adjusted appropriately)
Populations at risk for disrupted fluid/electrolyte balance (Old vs Young) - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Infants are at a greater risk of developing fluid/electrolyte
imbalances due to:
-Increased metabolic rate
-Immature kidneys
-Rapid respiratory rate
-Proportionally greater body/surface area than adults
The elderly are at an increased risk of fluid/electrolyte imbalances due to:
-Diminished thirst sensation
-Kidneys are less responsive to antidiuretic hormones to manage water
concentrations
-Impaired ability to conserve water`
What are some symptoms or red flags that would indicate a fluid/electrolyte
imbalance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--The patient reports a history of:
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 2
,-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Kidney/Heart/Liver failure
-Unexplained nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle cramping,
edema, or sudden changes in weight
What diagnostic tests (lab values or other) that could be used to determine a fluid
and electrolyte imbalance? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Any direct measurement of
serum levels, including the following results from a Basic Metabolic Panel:
-Sodium
-Potassium
-Calcium
-Magnesium
An EKG can also be utilized to detect any cardiac dysrhythmias from hyper or
hypokalemia
What clinical or collaborative interventions would be used to treat disrupted fluid
and electrolyte balances? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Most treatment strategies are
specific to the underlying cause but often include:
-Water replacement therapy (oral or intravenous fluids)
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 3
, -Electrolyte supplementation (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium)
-Diuretics to treat excessive fluid volume
-Monitoring fluid intake and output
Define fluid volume deficit - --CORRECT ANSWER--Also known as
dehydration, occurs when the fluid intake or retention of fluids are less than what
is required from the body, causing a deficient fluid volume
What causes fluid volume deficits? - --CORRECT ANSWER--Vomiting/diarrhea
Profuse sweating/diaphoresis
Burns or severe trauma/wounds
Long term NPO status
Diuretic therapy
GI suctioning
Difficulty swallowing or impaired thirst
Loss of consciousness
Fever
What assessment findings would concern the nurse for a fluid volume deficit? - --
CORRECT ANSWER--Recent unexplained weight loss
Laxative or diuretic use
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
