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DHN 313 – Nutrition and Metabolism:
Exam 2 Practice Questions with Complete
Solutions (NEW 2026/2027)
Question 1
A client is receiving normal saline intravenously at 75 ml/hr and is NPO.
Which of the following assessment findings indicates a need to contact the
health care provider immediately?
A) Weight gain of 2 pounds above the preoperative weight
B) An oral temperature of 100.1° F with bibasilar lung crackles
C) Gradually decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
D) Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L (138 mmol/L)
CORRECT ANSWER: C
A gradually decreasing LOC is a critical sign of a severe fluid and electrolyte
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imbalance, such as hyponatremia or cerebral edema, and indicates potential
neurological compromise requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2
The nurse obtains all of the following assessment data about a patient with a
fluid-volume deficit caused by a massive burn injury. The patient has IV NSS
running at 50 ml/hr. Which assessment data will be of greatest concern?
A) Oral fluid intake is 100 ml for the last 8 hours with urine output of 320ml
B) The blood pressure change from 110/60 to 80/40 mm Hg
C) Urine output is 30 ml over the last hour with at total of 200 ml
D) There is prolonged skin tenting over the sternum and dry lips
CORRECT ANSWER: B
A drop in blood pressure from 110/60 to 80/40 mm Hg indicates profound
hypovolemic shock, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate fluid resuscitation and provider notification.
Question 3
When evaluating the response to treatment for a client admitted for nausea
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and vomiting with fluid imbalance, a prudent nursing action would be to:
A) Check skin turgor
B) Assess presence of edema
C) Consult the opinion of the charge nurse
D) Obtain further data about the patient
CORRECT ANSWER: D
The nursing process is data-driven. Before evaluating a response, the nurse
must first gather comprehensive assessment data (e.g., vital signs,
intake/output, lab values) to establish a baseline and identify trends.
Question 4
A patient is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, for
treatment of hypertension. Symptoms the nurse teaches the patient to
report include:
A) Confusion and personality changes
B) Anxiety and muscle twitching
C) Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
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D) Fatigue and muscle weakness
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Fatigue and muscle weakness are classic signs of hypokalemia, a common
adverse effect of potassium-wasting diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide. This
can lead to serious cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 5
A client in a medical surgical unit is taking hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse will
teach the patient to report symptoms of adverse effects such as:
A) Frequent loose stools
B) Facial muscle spasms
C) Sinus bradycardia
D) Personality changes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Sinus bradycardia can be a sign of hyperkalemia, which is less common but
possible with thiazides, or it may indicate an electrolyte imbalance affecting
cardiac conduction. More commonly, hypokalemia from thiazides causes
DHN 313 – Nutrition and Metabolism:
Exam 2 Practice Questions with Complete
Solutions (NEW 2026/2027)
Question 1
A client is receiving normal saline intravenously at 75 ml/hr and is NPO.
Which of the following assessment findings indicates a need to contact the
health care provider immediately?
A) Weight gain of 2 pounds above the preoperative weight
B) An oral temperature of 100.1° F with bibasilar lung crackles
C) Gradually decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
D) Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L (138 mmol/L)
CORRECT ANSWER: C
A gradually decreasing LOC is a critical sign of a severe fluid and electrolyte
,2|Page
imbalance, such as hyponatremia or cerebral edema, and indicates potential
neurological compromise requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2
The nurse obtains all of the following assessment data about a patient with a
fluid-volume deficit caused by a massive burn injury. The patient has IV NSS
running at 50 ml/hr. Which assessment data will be of greatest concern?
A) Oral fluid intake is 100 ml for the last 8 hours with urine output of 320ml
B) The blood pressure change from 110/60 to 80/40 mm Hg
C) Urine output is 30 ml over the last hour with at total of 200 ml
D) There is prolonged skin tenting over the sternum and dry lips
CORRECT ANSWER: B
A drop in blood pressure from 110/60 to 80/40 mm Hg indicates profound
hypovolemic shock, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate fluid resuscitation and provider notification.
Question 3
When evaluating the response to treatment for a client admitted for nausea
,3|Page
and vomiting with fluid imbalance, a prudent nursing action would be to:
A) Check skin turgor
B) Assess presence of edema
C) Consult the opinion of the charge nurse
D) Obtain further data about the patient
CORRECT ANSWER: D
The nursing process is data-driven. Before evaluating a response, the nurse
must first gather comprehensive assessment data (e.g., vital signs,
intake/output, lab values) to establish a baseline and identify trends.
Question 4
A patient is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, for
treatment of hypertension. Symptoms the nurse teaches the patient to
report include:
A) Confusion and personality changes
B) Anxiety and muscle twitching
C) Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
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D) Fatigue and muscle weakness
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Fatigue and muscle weakness are classic signs of hypokalemia, a common
adverse effect of potassium-wasting diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide. This
can lead to serious cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 5
A client in a medical surgical unit is taking hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse will
teach the patient to report symptoms of adverse effects such as:
A) Frequent loose stools
B) Facial muscle spasms
C) Sinus bradycardia
D) Personality changes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Sinus bradycardia can be a sign of hyperkalemia, which is less common but
possible with thiazides, or it may indicate an electrolyte imbalance affecting
cardiac conduction. More commonly, hypokalemia from thiazides causes
