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NURS 3304 Fundamental Lab ATI Module Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
2026/2027 Grade A Study Guide.
1. Question:
A client is admitted with confusion, headache, and muscle weakness. The
nurse reviews the laboratory results and notes a serum sodium level of 125
mEq/L. Which condition should the nurse identify as a potential cause of this
finding?
A. Dehydration
B. Diabetes Insipidus
C. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
D. Hyperaldosteronism
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH)
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Rationale: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes sodium in
the blood, leading to hyponatremia. The manifestations listed are consistent
with hyponatremia.
2. Question:
The nurse is assessing a client with hypernatremia. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Cell swelling and headache
B. Low urine output and increased thirst
C. Muscle weakness and low T waves on ECG
D. Tetany and hyperreflexia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Low urine output and increased thirst
Rationale: Hypernatremia, often due to water loss or sodium gain, leads to
intracellular dehydration. The body conserves water (low urine output) and
stimulates the thirst mechanism to correct the imbalance.
3. Question:
A client with severe vomiting is at risk for hypokalemia. Which ECG change is
most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
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A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Prominent U wave
D. Widened QRS complex
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Prominent U wave
Rationale: Hypokalemia is associated with ECG changes including flattened T
waves and the appearance of a prominent U wave, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias.
4. Question:
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client in renal failure. The
potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG finding should the nurse
immediately report?
A. Short QT interval
B. Peaked T waves
C. Absent P waves
D. Prominent U wave
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Peaked T waves
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Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes cardiac membrane depolarization issues,
leading to tall, peaked (or tented) T waves, which is an early and critical sign
of cardiac depression.
5. Question:
A client presents with muscle twitching, tingling in the fingers, and positive
Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse suspect?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany. Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs are classic clinical indicators of this
condition.
6. Question:
The nurse is caring for a client with metastatic bone cancer. Which finding is
NURS 3304 Fundamental Lab ATI Module Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
2026/2027 Grade A Study Guide.
1. Question:
A client is admitted with confusion, headache, and muscle weakness. The
nurse reviews the laboratory results and notes a serum sodium level of 125
mEq/L. Which condition should the nurse identify as a potential cause of this
finding?
A. Dehydration
B. Diabetes Insipidus
C. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
D. Hyperaldosteronism
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH)
,2|Page
Rationale: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes sodium in
the blood, leading to hyponatremia. The manifestations listed are consistent
with hyponatremia.
2. Question:
The nurse is assessing a client with hypernatremia. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Cell swelling and headache
B. Low urine output and increased thirst
C. Muscle weakness and low T waves on ECG
D. Tetany and hyperreflexia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Low urine output and increased thirst
Rationale: Hypernatremia, often due to water loss or sodium gain, leads to
intracellular dehydration. The body conserves water (low urine output) and
stimulates the thirst mechanism to correct the imbalance.
3. Question:
A client with severe vomiting is at risk for hypokalemia. Which ECG change is
most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
,3|Page
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Prominent U wave
D. Widened QRS complex
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Prominent U wave
Rationale: Hypokalemia is associated with ECG changes including flattened T
waves and the appearance of a prominent U wave, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias.
4. Question:
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client in renal failure. The
potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG finding should the nurse
immediately report?
A. Short QT interval
B. Peaked T waves
C. Absent P waves
D. Prominent U wave
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Peaked T waves
, 4|Page
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes cardiac membrane depolarization issues,
leading to tall, peaked (or tented) T waves, which is an early and critical sign
of cardiac depression.
5. Question:
A client presents with muscle twitching, tingling in the fingers, and positive
Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse suspect?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany. Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs are classic clinical indicators of this
condition.
6. Question:
The nurse is caring for a client with metastatic bone cancer. Which finding is
