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Med Surg-Fluid And Electrolyte Test
Questions And Verified Answers (2025)
A client with pneumonia presents with the following arterial blood gases: pH of
7.28, PaCO2 of 74, HCO3 of 28 mEq/L, and PO2 of 45, which of the following is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Place client in left lateral position
C. Place client in high-Fowler's position
D. Assist the client to breathe into a paper bag - correct answer-C. Place client in
high-Fowler's position
A client with COPD feels short of breath after walking to the bathroom on 2 liters
of oxygen nasal cannula. The morning's ABGs were pH of 7.36, PaCO2 of 62, HCO3
of 35 mEq/L, O2 at 88% on 2 liters. Which of the following should be the nurse's
first intervention?
A. Call the physician and report the change in client's condition
B. Turn the client's O2 up to 4 liters nasal cannula
C. Encourage the client to sit down and to take deep breaths
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D. Encourage the client to rest and to use pursed-lip breathing technique - correct
answer-D. Encourage the client to rest and to use pursed-lip breathing technique
A client who had a recent surgery has been vomiting and becomes dizzy while
standing up to go to the bathroom. After assisting the client back to bed, the
nurse notes that the blood pressure is 55/30 and the pulse is 140. The nurse
hangs which of the following IV fluids to correct this condition?
A. D5.45 NS at 50 ml/hr
B. 0.9 NS at an open rate
C. D5W at 125 ml/hr
D. 0.45 NS at open rate - correct answer-B. 0.9 NS at an open rate
A client with renal failure enters the emergency room after skipping three dialysis
treatments to visit family out of town. Which set of ABGs would indicate to the
nurse that the client is in a state of metabolic acidosis?
A. pH of 7.43, PCO2 of 36, HCO3 of 26
B. pH of 7.41, PCO2 of 49, HCO3 of 30
C. pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 35, HCO3 of 17
D. pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 56, HCO3 of 28 - correct answer-C. pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 35,
HCO3 of 17
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A client with a small bowel obstruction has had an NG tube connected to low
intermittent suction for two days. The nurse should monitor for clinical
manifestations of which acid-base disorder?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis - correct answer-C. Metabolic alkalosis
A client who suffers from an anxiety disorder is very upset, has a respiratory rate
of 32, and is complaining of lightheadedness and tingling in the fingers. ABG
values are pH of 7.48, PaCO2 of 29, HCO3 of 24, and O2 is at 93% on room air. The
nurse performs which of the following as a priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor intake and output
B. Encourage client to increase activity
C. Institute deep breathing exercises every hour
D. Provide reassurance to the client and administer sedatives - correct answer-D.
Provide reassurance to the client and administer sedatives
Which of the following assessment findings would indicate to the nurse that a
client's diabetic ketoacidosis is deteriorating?
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A. Deep tendon reflexes decreasing from +2 to +1
B. Bicarbonate rising from 20 mEq/L to 22 mEq/L
C. Urine pH less than 6
D. Serum potassium decreasing from 6.0 mEq/L to 4.5 mEq/L - correct answer-A.
Deep tendon reflexes decreasing from +2 to +1
A client who is admitted with malnutrition and anorexia secondary to
chemotherapy is also exhibiting generalized edema. The client asks the nurse for
an explanation for the edema. Which of the following is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. "The fluid is an adverse reaction to chemotherapy."
B. "A decrease in activity has allowed extra fluid to accumulate in the tissues."
C. "Poor nutrition has caused decreased blood protein levels, and fluid has moved
from the blood vessels into the tissues."
D. "Chemotherapy has increased your blood pressure, and fluid was forced out
into the tissues." - correct answer-C. "Poor nutrition has caused decreased blood
protein levels, and fluid has moved from the blood vessels into the tissues."
A client with a recent thyroidectomy complains of numbness and tingling around
the mouth. Which of the following findings indicates the serum calcium is low?
A. Bone pain
Med Surg-Fluid And Electrolyte Test
Questions And Verified Answers (2025)
A client with pneumonia presents with the following arterial blood gases: pH of
7.28, PaCO2 of 74, HCO3 of 28 mEq/L, and PO2 of 45, which of the following is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Place client in left lateral position
C. Place client in high-Fowler's position
D. Assist the client to breathe into a paper bag - correct answer-C. Place client in
high-Fowler's position
A client with COPD feels short of breath after walking to the bathroom on 2 liters
of oxygen nasal cannula. The morning's ABGs were pH of 7.36, PaCO2 of 62, HCO3
of 35 mEq/L, O2 at 88% on 2 liters. Which of the following should be the nurse's
first intervention?
A. Call the physician and report the change in client's condition
B. Turn the client's O2 up to 4 liters nasal cannula
C. Encourage the client to sit down and to take deep breaths
,2|Page
D. Encourage the client to rest and to use pursed-lip breathing technique - correct
answer-D. Encourage the client to rest and to use pursed-lip breathing technique
A client who had a recent surgery has been vomiting and becomes dizzy while
standing up to go to the bathroom. After assisting the client back to bed, the
nurse notes that the blood pressure is 55/30 and the pulse is 140. The nurse
hangs which of the following IV fluids to correct this condition?
A. D5.45 NS at 50 ml/hr
B. 0.9 NS at an open rate
C. D5W at 125 ml/hr
D. 0.45 NS at open rate - correct answer-B. 0.9 NS at an open rate
A client with renal failure enters the emergency room after skipping three dialysis
treatments to visit family out of town. Which set of ABGs would indicate to the
nurse that the client is in a state of metabolic acidosis?
A. pH of 7.43, PCO2 of 36, HCO3 of 26
B. pH of 7.41, PCO2 of 49, HCO3 of 30
C. pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 35, HCO3 of 17
D. pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 56, HCO3 of 28 - correct answer-C. pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 35,
HCO3 of 17
,3|Page
A client with a small bowel obstruction has had an NG tube connected to low
intermittent suction for two days. The nurse should monitor for clinical
manifestations of which acid-base disorder?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis - correct answer-C. Metabolic alkalosis
A client who suffers from an anxiety disorder is very upset, has a respiratory rate
of 32, and is complaining of lightheadedness and tingling in the fingers. ABG
values are pH of 7.48, PaCO2 of 29, HCO3 of 24, and O2 is at 93% on room air. The
nurse performs which of the following as a priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor intake and output
B. Encourage client to increase activity
C. Institute deep breathing exercises every hour
D. Provide reassurance to the client and administer sedatives - correct answer-D.
Provide reassurance to the client and administer sedatives
Which of the following assessment findings would indicate to the nurse that a
client's diabetic ketoacidosis is deteriorating?
, 4|Page
A. Deep tendon reflexes decreasing from +2 to +1
B. Bicarbonate rising from 20 mEq/L to 22 mEq/L
C. Urine pH less than 6
D. Serum potassium decreasing from 6.0 mEq/L to 4.5 mEq/L - correct answer-A.
Deep tendon reflexes decreasing from +2 to +1
A client who is admitted with malnutrition and anorexia secondary to
chemotherapy is also exhibiting generalized edema. The client asks the nurse for
an explanation for the edema. Which of the following is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. "The fluid is an adverse reaction to chemotherapy."
B. "A decrease in activity has allowed extra fluid to accumulate in the tissues."
C. "Poor nutrition has caused decreased blood protein levels, and fluid has moved
from the blood vessels into the tissues."
D. "Chemotherapy has increased your blood pressure, and fluid was forced out
into the tissues." - correct answer-C. "Poor nutrition has caused decreased blood
protein levels, and fluid has moved from the blood vessels into the tissues."
A client with a recent thyroidectomy complains of numbness and tingling around
the mouth. Which of the following findings indicates the serum calcium is low?
A. Bone pain
