NUR 3463 Exam 1: Adult Health Acute Care
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG
change is most indicative of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. ST segment depression
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) commonly presents with tall, peaked
T waves on an ECG due to rapid repolarization.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse expect to see in a patient with a
sodium level of 125 mEq/L?
A. Extreme thirst
B. Confusion and seizures
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyponatremia leads to water shifting into brain cells, causing cerebral
edema, which manifests as confusion, headache, and potential seizures.
,3. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse should check which
lab value?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Explanation: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia.
4. A patient has a magnesium level of 1.1 mg/dL. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this level?
A. Lethargy
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Explanation: Hypomagnesemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
hyperactive reflexes and tremors.
5. A patient with hypernatremia is most likely to display which symptom?
A. Restlessness and agitation
B. Muscle weakness
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypernatremia causes dehydration of brain cells, leading to neurological
irritability such as restlessness, agitation, and thirst.
, 6. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: B
Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and a high PaCO2
(>45).
7. A patient has been vomiting for 24 hours. Which acid-base imbalance is likely
to occur?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: Vomiting causes the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, leading to
metabolic alkalosis (increased pH and HCO3).
8. Hyperventilation during an anxiety attack typically leads to which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Explanation: Hyperventilation causes excessive blowing off of CO2, leading to a rise in pH
and respiratory alkalosis.
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG
change is most indicative of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. ST segment depression
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prominent U waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) commonly presents with tall, peaked
T waves on an ECG due to rapid repolarization.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse expect to see in a patient with a
sodium level of 125 mEq/L?
A. Extreme thirst
B. Confusion and seizures
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyponatremia leads to water shifting into brain cells, causing cerebral
edema, which manifests as confusion, headache, and potential seizures.
,3. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse should check which
lab value?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Explanation: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia.
4. A patient has a magnesium level of 1.1 mg/dL. Which assessment finding is
most consistent with this level?
A. Lethargy
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Explanation: Hypomagnesemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
hyperactive reflexes and tremors.
5. A patient with hypernatremia is most likely to display which symptom?
A. Restlessness and agitation
B. Muscle weakness
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypernatremia causes dehydration of brain cells, leading to neurological
irritability such as restlessness, agitation, and thirst.
, 6. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: B
Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and a high PaCO2
(>45).
7. A patient has been vomiting for 24 hours. Which acid-base imbalance is likely
to occur?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Explanation: Vomiting causes the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, leading to
metabolic alkalosis (increased pH and HCO3).
8. Hyperventilation during an anxiety attack typically leads to which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Explanation: Hyperventilation causes excessive blowing off of CO2, leading to a rise in pH
and respiratory alkalosis.
