NURS 101 Comprehensive Final Exam Prep –2025-2026 Nursing
Fundamentals, Practice Questions, and Study Notes for
Guaranteed Success with Correct Answers||Brand New!!!
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of the client at 2-hour
intervals as a nursing safety priority. Which condition is affecting the
client?
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hyponatremia
Hypernatremia - Answer-Hypokalemia
Rationale:
In case of hypokalemia, the nurse should assess the respiratory status
of the client every 2 hours. In case of hyperkalemia, the nurse should
notify the healthcare team if the heart rate falls below 60 beats per
minute or T waves become spiked. In case of hyponatremia, the nurse
should be aware of muscle weakness in the client and immediately
check respiratory effectiveness. In case of hypernatremia, the nurse
should assess the client hourly for excessive losses of fluid, sodium,
or potassium.
The nurse is preparing a blood transfusion for a client with renal
failure. Why does anemia often complicate renal failure?
1. Increase in blood pressure
2. Decrease in erythropoietin
3. Increase in serum phosphate levels
4. Decrease in serum sodium concentration - Answer-2. Decrease in
erythropoietin
Rationale:
The hormone erythropoietin, produced by the kidneys, stimulates the
bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In renal failure there is a
pg. 1
,deficiency of erythropoietin that often results in the client developing
anemia. Therefore the nurse is instructed to administer blood. In renal
failure, increased blood pressure is due to impairment of renal
vasodilator factors and is not treated by administration of blood.
Phosphate is retained in the body during renal failure, causing binding
of calcium leading to done demineralization, not anemia. Increase in
urinary sodium concentration and decrease in serum sodium
concentration trigger the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular
cells.
A client's serum potassium level has increased to 5.8 mEq/L (5.8
mmol/L). What action should the nurse implement first?
1. Call the laboratory to repeat the test.
2. Take vital signs and notify the healthcare provider.
3. Inform the cardiac arrest team to place them on alert.
4. Take an electrocardiogram and have lidocaine available - Answer-2.
take vs and notify healthcare provider
rationale:Vital signs monitor cardiorespiratory status; hyperkalemia
causes cardiac dysrhythmias. The healthcare provider should be
notified because medical intervention may be necessary. A repeat
laboratory test will take time and probably reaffirm the original
results; the client needs immediate attention. The cardiac arrest team
is always on alert and will respond when called for a cardiac arrest.
Taking an electrocardiogram and having lidocaine available are
insufficient interventions.
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of chronic kidney
failure who has just been told by the primary healthcare provider that
hemodialysis is necessary. Which clinical manifestation indicates the
need for hemodialysis?
1. Ascites
2. Acidosis
3. Hypertension
pg. 2
,4. Hyperkalemia - Answer-4. Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
Protein breakdown liberates cellular potassium ions, leading to
hyperkalemia, which can cause a cardiac dysrhythmia and standstill.
The failure of the kidneys to maintain a balance of potassium is one of
the main indications for dialysis. Ascites occurs in liver disease and is
not an indication for dialysis. Dialysis is not the usual treatment for
acidosis; usually this responds to administration of alkaline drugs.
Dialysis is not a treatment for hypertension; this is usually controlled
by antihypertensive medication and diet.
Which electrolyte deficiency triggers the secretion of renin?
1. Sodium
2. Calcium
3. Chloride
4. Potassium - Answer-1. Sodium
Rationale:
Low sodium ion concentration causes decreased blood volume,
thereby resulting in decreased perfusion. Decreased blood volume
triggers the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular cells.
Deficiencies of calcium, chloride, and potassium do not stimulate the
secretion of renin.
A client with small cell carcinoma of the lung develops the syndrome
of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). What signs should
the nurse expect to observe? Select all that apply.
1. Oliguria
2. Seizures
3. Vomiting
4. Polydipsia
5. Polyphagia - Answer-1. Oliguria
pg. 3
, 2. Seizures
3. Vomiting
Rationale:
Cancerous cells of small cell lung cancer can produce antidiuretic
hormone, which causes fluid retention, resulting in increased blood
volume and decreased urine volume. Fluid retention associated with
SIADH can cause cerebral edema, resulting in confusion and seizures.
Fluid retention resulting in hyponatremia causes nausea and vomiting.
The client will have nausea and vomiting, resulting in a decreased
oral fluid and food intake
A client is admitted for dehydration and an intravenous (IV) infusion
of normal saline at 125 mL/hr has been started. One hour after the IV
initiation the client begins screaming, "I can't breathe!" What is the
nurse's priority action?
1. Elevate the head of the bed and obtain vital signs.
2. Discontinue the IV site and contact the primary healthcare provider.
3. Change the IV to an intermittent infusion device.
4. Contact the primary healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for
a sedative - Answer-1. Elevate the head of the bed and obtain vital
signs
Rationale:
The client's ability to speak indicates that the client is breathing.
Elevating the head of the bed facilitates breathing by decreasing
pressure against the diaphragm. Checking the vital signs after this is
the first step in assessing the cause of the distress. Discontinuing the
IV access line may cause unnecessary discomfort if it must be
restarted; there are too few data to call the healthcare provider at this
time. There is not enough information to support calling the
healthcare provider and obtaining a prescription for a sedative; further
assessment is required. There is no information to support changing
the IV to an intermittent infusion device.
pg. 4
Fundamentals, Practice Questions, and Study Notes for
Guaranteed Success with Correct Answers||Brand New!!!
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of the client at 2-hour
intervals as a nursing safety priority. Which condition is affecting the
client?
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hyponatremia
Hypernatremia - Answer-Hypokalemia
Rationale:
In case of hypokalemia, the nurse should assess the respiratory status
of the client every 2 hours. In case of hyperkalemia, the nurse should
notify the healthcare team if the heart rate falls below 60 beats per
minute or T waves become spiked. In case of hyponatremia, the nurse
should be aware of muscle weakness in the client and immediately
check respiratory effectiveness. In case of hypernatremia, the nurse
should assess the client hourly for excessive losses of fluid, sodium,
or potassium.
The nurse is preparing a blood transfusion for a client with renal
failure. Why does anemia often complicate renal failure?
1. Increase in blood pressure
2. Decrease in erythropoietin
3. Increase in serum phosphate levels
4. Decrease in serum sodium concentration - Answer-2. Decrease in
erythropoietin
Rationale:
The hormone erythropoietin, produced by the kidneys, stimulates the
bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In renal failure there is a
pg. 1
,deficiency of erythropoietin that often results in the client developing
anemia. Therefore the nurse is instructed to administer blood. In renal
failure, increased blood pressure is due to impairment of renal
vasodilator factors and is not treated by administration of blood.
Phosphate is retained in the body during renal failure, causing binding
of calcium leading to done demineralization, not anemia. Increase in
urinary sodium concentration and decrease in serum sodium
concentration trigger the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular
cells.
A client's serum potassium level has increased to 5.8 mEq/L (5.8
mmol/L). What action should the nurse implement first?
1. Call the laboratory to repeat the test.
2. Take vital signs and notify the healthcare provider.
3. Inform the cardiac arrest team to place them on alert.
4. Take an electrocardiogram and have lidocaine available - Answer-2.
take vs and notify healthcare provider
rationale:Vital signs monitor cardiorespiratory status; hyperkalemia
causes cardiac dysrhythmias. The healthcare provider should be
notified because medical intervention may be necessary. A repeat
laboratory test will take time and probably reaffirm the original
results; the client needs immediate attention. The cardiac arrest team
is always on alert and will respond when called for a cardiac arrest.
Taking an electrocardiogram and having lidocaine available are
insufficient interventions.
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of chronic kidney
failure who has just been told by the primary healthcare provider that
hemodialysis is necessary. Which clinical manifestation indicates the
need for hemodialysis?
1. Ascites
2. Acidosis
3. Hypertension
pg. 2
,4. Hyperkalemia - Answer-4. Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
Protein breakdown liberates cellular potassium ions, leading to
hyperkalemia, which can cause a cardiac dysrhythmia and standstill.
The failure of the kidneys to maintain a balance of potassium is one of
the main indications for dialysis. Ascites occurs in liver disease and is
not an indication for dialysis. Dialysis is not the usual treatment for
acidosis; usually this responds to administration of alkaline drugs.
Dialysis is not a treatment for hypertension; this is usually controlled
by antihypertensive medication and diet.
Which electrolyte deficiency triggers the secretion of renin?
1. Sodium
2. Calcium
3. Chloride
4. Potassium - Answer-1. Sodium
Rationale:
Low sodium ion concentration causes decreased blood volume,
thereby resulting in decreased perfusion. Decreased blood volume
triggers the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular cells.
Deficiencies of calcium, chloride, and potassium do not stimulate the
secretion of renin.
A client with small cell carcinoma of the lung develops the syndrome
of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). What signs should
the nurse expect to observe? Select all that apply.
1. Oliguria
2. Seizures
3. Vomiting
4. Polydipsia
5. Polyphagia - Answer-1. Oliguria
pg. 3
, 2. Seizures
3. Vomiting
Rationale:
Cancerous cells of small cell lung cancer can produce antidiuretic
hormone, which causes fluid retention, resulting in increased blood
volume and decreased urine volume. Fluid retention associated with
SIADH can cause cerebral edema, resulting in confusion and seizures.
Fluid retention resulting in hyponatremia causes nausea and vomiting.
The client will have nausea and vomiting, resulting in a decreased
oral fluid and food intake
A client is admitted for dehydration and an intravenous (IV) infusion
of normal saline at 125 mL/hr has been started. One hour after the IV
initiation the client begins screaming, "I can't breathe!" What is the
nurse's priority action?
1. Elevate the head of the bed and obtain vital signs.
2. Discontinue the IV site and contact the primary healthcare provider.
3. Change the IV to an intermittent infusion device.
4. Contact the primary healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for
a sedative - Answer-1. Elevate the head of the bed and obtain vital
signs
Rationale:
The client's ability to speak indicates that the client is breathing.
Elevating the head of the bed facilitates breathing by decreasing
pressure against the diaphragm. Checking the vital signs after this is
the first step in assessing the cause of the distress. Discontinuing the
IV access line may cause unnecessary discomfort if it must be
restarted; there are too few data to call the healthcare provider at this
time. There is not enough information to support calling the
healthcare provider and obtaining a prescription for a sedative; further
assessment is required. There is no information to support changing
the IV to an intermittent infusion device.
pg. 4
