ATI Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base
Proctored Actual Exam (2025/2026) —
Updated Edition (Verified Questions &
Answers | NCLEX®-RN® Readiness)
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse who is preparing to administer a blood
transfusion to a client. For which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse should the
charge nurse intervene?
The nurse selects 0.45% sodium chloride to use to prime the tubing.
The charge nurse should intervene if the newly licensed nurse selects 0.45% sodium chloride to
prime the tubing. The nurse should identify that 0.9% sodium chloride is the only IV solution
that should be used to prime the tubing for blood administration.
A nurse is receiving report on four clients. The nurse should identify that which of the following
clients might be experiencing hypomagnesemia?
A client who has vomited four times during the last 8 hr.
Nausea and vomiting are early manifestations of hypomagnesemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which of the following
actions should be the goal of treatment for the client?
Increase the carbon dioxide level.
A state of respiratory alkalosis indicates that the client's carbon dioxide level is currently below
the expected reference range. The goal of treatment should be to raise the level of carbon dioxide
level back to within the expected reference range for PaCO2 of 35 to 45 mm Hg.
, ATI Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base
Proctored Actual Exam (2025/2026) —
Updated Edition (Verified Questions &
Answers | NCLEX®-RN® Readiness)
A nurse is caring for a client who requires a replacement peripheral IV. The client is dehydrated
and requires a smaller gauge catheter than the #20-gauge being replace. Which of the following
gauge catheters should the nurse plan to use?
#22-gauge
The nurse should use a #22-gauge catheter as a replacement for the current #20-gauge IV
catheter. As the client is dehydrated, it may be difficult to access a peripheral vein with a larger
gauge catheter. As the gauge # increases, the actual catheter size decreases.
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client and notes the following arterial blood gas
(ABG) values: ph: 7.31, PaCO2 49 mm hg, HCO3- mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these
findings as an indication of which of the following acid-base imbalances?
Respiratory acidosis
This client's ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is indicated by a pH
value below the expected reference range of 7.35 to 7.45 and a PaCO2 value above the expected
reference range of 35 to 45 mm Hg.
A nurse is assessing a client who is exhibiting signs of fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a potential cause for the client's fluid and
electrolyte imbalance?
Proctored Actual Exam (2025/2026) —
Updated Edition (Verified Questions &
Answers | NCLEX®-RN® Readiness)
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse who is preparing to administer a blood
transfusion to a client. For which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse should the
charge nurse intervene?
The nurse selects 0.45% sodium chloride to use to prime the tubing.
The charge nurse should intervene if the newly licensed nurse selects 0.45% sodium chloride to
prime the tubing. The nurse should identify that 0.9% sodium chloride is the only IV solution
that should be used to prime the tubing for blood administration.
A nurse is receiving report on four clients. The nurse should identify that which of the following
clients might be experiencing hypomagnesemia?
A client who has vomited four times during the last 8 hr.
Nausea and vomiting are early manifestations of hypomagnesemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory alkalosis. Which of the following
actions should be the goal of treatment for the client?
Increase the carbon dioxide level.
A state of respiratory alkalosis indicates that the client's carbon dioxide level is currently below
the expected reference range. The goal of treatment should be to raise the level of carbon dioxide
level back to within the expected reference range for PaCO2 of 35 to 45 mm Hg.
, ATI Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base
Proctored Actual Exam (2025/2026) —
Updated Edition (Verified Questions &
Answers | NCLEX®-RN® Readiness)
A nurse is caring for a client who requires a replacement peripheral IV. The client is dehydrated
and requires a smaller gauge catheter than the #20-gauge being replace. Which of the following
gauge catheters should the nurse plan to use?
#22-gauge
The nurse should use a #22-gauge catheter as a replacement for the current #20-gauge IV
catheter. As the client is dehydrated, it may be difficult to access a peripheral vein with a larger
gauge catheter. As the gauge # increases, the actual catheter size decreases.
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client and notes the following arterial blood gas
(ABG) values: ph: 7.31, PaCO2 49 mm hg, HCO3- mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these
findings as an indication of which of the following acid-base imbalances?
Respiratory acidosis
This client's ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is indicated by a pH
value below the expected reference range of 7.35 to 7.45 and a PaCO2 value above the expected
reference range of 35 to 45 mm Hg.
A nurse is assessing a client who is exhibiting signs of fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a potential cause for the client's fluid and
electrolyte imbalance?
