FLUID & ELECTROLYTE NCLEX PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse would contact the
pt's primary healthcare provider with which of the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be reported to the primary
healthcare provider. This indicates inadequate renal perfusion, placing the pt at increased risk
for acute renal failure & inadequate tissue perfusion. A minimum of 720 mL over a 24-hour
period is desired (30 mL multiplied by 24 hours equals 720 mL per 24 hours).
A pt is receiving intravenous fluids postoperatively following cardiac surgery. Nursing
assessments should focus on which postoperative complication?
1. fluid volume excess
2. fluid volume deficit
3. seizure activity
4. liver failure --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Antidiuretic hormone & aldosterone levels are commonly increased following
the stress response before, during, & immediately after surgery. This increase leads to sodium
& water retention. Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess &
stress upon the heart & circulatory system.
Page 1 of 93
,Rationale 2: Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess, not fluid
volume deficit, & stress upon the heart & circulatory system.
Rationale 3: Seizure activity would more commonly be associated with electrolyte
imbalances.
Rationale 4: Liver failure is not anticipated related to postoperative intravenous fluid
administration.
A pt is diagnosed with severe hyponatremia. The nurse realizes this pt will mostly likely need
which of the following precautions implemented?
1. seizure
2. infection
3. neutropenic
4. high-risk fall --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Severe hyponatremia can lead to seizures. Seizure precautions such as a quiet
environment, raised side rails, & having an oral airway at the bedside would be included.
Rationale 2: Infection precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
Rationale 3: Neutropenic precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
Rationale 4: High-risk fall precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
A pt is diagnosed with hypokalemia. After reviewing the pt's current medications, which of
the following might have contributed to the pt's health problem?
1. corticosteroid
2. thiazide diuretic
3. narcotic
4. muscle relaxer --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Page 2 of 93
,Rationale 1: Excess potassium loss through the kidneys is often caused by such meds as
corticosteroids, potassium-wasting diuretics, amphotericin B, & large doses of some
antibiotics.
Rationale 2: Excessive sodium is lost with the use of thiazide diuretics.
Rationale 3: Narcotics do not typically affect electrolyte balance.
Rationale 4: Muscle relaxants do not typically affect electrolyte balance.
What is the nurse's primary concern regarding fluid & electrolytes when caring for an elderly
pt who is intermittently confused?
1. risk of dehydration
2. risk of kidney damage
3. risk of stroke
4. risk of bleeding --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: As an adult ages, the thirst mechanism declines. Adding this in a pt with an
altered level of consciousness, there is an increased risk of dehydration & high serum
osmolality.
Rationale 2: The risks for kidney damage are not specifically related to aging or fluid &
electrolyte issues.
Rationale 3: The risk of stroke is not specifically related to aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 4: The risk of bleeding is not specifically related to aging or fluid & electrolyte
issues.
The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of the following is this pt at risk
for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
Page 3 of 93
, 3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished,
leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist within the cell cytoplasm & nucleus.
Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell, including the
interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell, including the
interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the symptoms of tachycardia, pale,
cool skin, & decreased urine output. The nurse realizes these findings are most likely a direct
result of which of the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory reactions within the body are
responsible for the symptoms exhibited. The body naturally attempts to conserve fluid
internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is contraindicated.
Page 4 of 93
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse would contact the
pt's primary healthcare provider with which of the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be reported to the primary
healthcare provider. This indicates inadequate renal perfusion, placing the pt at increased risk
for acute renal failure & inadequate tissue perfusion. A minimum of 720 mL over a 24-hour
period is desired (30 mL multiplied by 24 hours equals 720 mL per 24 hours).
A pt is receiving intravenous fluids postoperatively following cardiac surgery. Nursing
assessments should focus on which postoperative complication?
1. fluid volume excess
2. fluid volume deficit
3. seizure activity
4. liver failure --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Antidiuretic hormone & aldosterone levels are commonly increased following
the stress response before, during, & immediately after surgery. This increase leads to sodium
& water retention. Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess &
stress upon the heart & circulatory system.
Page 1 of 93
,Rationale 2: Adding more fluids intravenously can cause a fluid volume excess, not fluid
volume deficit, & stress upon the heart & circulatory system.
Rationale 3: Seizure activity would more commonly be associated with electrolyte
imbalances.
Rationale 4: Liver failure is not anticipated related to postoperative intravenous fluid
administration.
A pt is diagnosed with severe hyponatremia. The nurse realizes this pt will mostly likely need
which of the following precautions implemented?
1. seizure
2. infection
3. neutropenic
4. high-risk fall --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Severe hyponatremia can lead to seizures. Seizure precautions such as a quiet
environment, raised side rails, & having an oral airway at the bedside would be included.
Rationale 2: Infection precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
Rationale 3: Neutropenic precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
Rationale 4: High-risk fall precautions not specifically indicated for a pt with hyponatremia.
A pt is diagnosed with hypokalemia. After reviewing the pt's current medications, which of
the following might have contributed to the pt's health problem?
1. corticosteroid
2. thiazide diuretic
3. narcotic
4. muscle relaxer --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Page 2 of 93
,Rationale 1: Excess potassium loss through the kidneys is often caused by such meds as
corticosteroids, potassium-wasting diuretics, amphotericin B, & large doses of some
antibiotics.
Rationale 2: Excessive sodium is lost with the use of thiazide diuretics.
Rationale 3: Narcotics do not typically affect electrolyte balance.
Rationale 4: Muscle relaxants do not typically affect electrolyte balance.
What is the nurse's primary concern regarding fluid & electrolytes when caring for an elderly
pt who is intermittently confused?
1. risk of dehydration
2. risk of kidney damage
3. risk of stroke
4. risk of bleeding --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: As an adult ages, the thirst mechanism declines. Adding this in a pt with an
altered level of consciousness, there is an increased risk of dehydration & high serum
osmolality.
Rationale 2: The risks for kidney damage are not specifically related to aging or fluid &
electrolyte issues.
Rationale 3: The risk of stroke is not specifically related to aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 4: The risk of bleeding is not specifically related to aging or fluid & electrolyte
issues.
The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of the following is this pt at risk
for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
Page 3 of 93
, 3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished,
leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist within the cell cytoplasm & nucleus.
Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished, leading to an
intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell, including the
interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist outside the cell, including the
interstitial fluid between the cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the symptoms of tachycardia, pale,
cool skin, & decreased urine output. The nurse realizes these findings are most likely a direct
result of which of the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure --CORRECT ANSWER--Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory reactions within the body are
responsible for the symptoms exhibited. The body naturally attempts to conserve fluid
internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is contraindicated.
Page 4 of 93
