NSG 300: Foundations of Nursing
Exam 3 Study Guide
Grand Canyon University | 2026/2027
Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions &
Rationales
Instructions
This study guide is designed to help you prepare for Exam 3 in NSG 300. It covers key
foundational nursing concepts including:
• Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
• Acid-Base Balance
• Perioperative Nursing
• Pain Management
• Medication Administration
• Safety & Infection Control
• Oxygenation & Respiratory Function
• Urinary & Bowel Elimination
Each section includes key concepts, nursing interventions, and practice questions
with rationales.
,Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Key Concepts
Body Fluid Compartments
Compartment Percentage Description
Intracellular Fluid (ICF) 40% of body weight Fluid within cells
Extracellular Fluid Fluid outside cells (interstitial, intravascular,
20% of body weight
(ECF) transcellular)
50-60% of body
Total Body Water Varies by age, gender, body composition
weight
Fluid Volume Imbalances
Nursing
Condition Causes Assessment Findings
Interventions
Thirst, dry mucous
Vomiting,
membranes, Monitor I&O, daily
diarrhea,
Hypovolemia decreased skin weights, assess skin
hemorrhage,
(Fluid Volume turgor, tachycardia, turgor, administer
burns, diuretics,
Deficit) hypotension, IV/oral fluids,
inadequate
decreased urine monitor vital signs
intake
output, weight loss
, Nursing
Condition Causes Assessment Findings
Interventions
Edema, jugular vein
Heart failure, Monitor I&O, daily
distention, crackles
Hypervolemia renal failure, weights, assess lung
in lungs,
(Fluid Volume cirrhosis, sounds, restrict
hypertension,
Excess) excessive IV fluids/sodium,
weight gain,
fluids administer diuretics
dyspnea
Electrolyte Imbalances
Sodium (Na+) – Normal: 135-145 mEq/L
Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
SIADH, excessive Confusion, Fluid restriction,
water intake, nausea, muscle monitor neuro status,
Hyponatremia
diuretics, weakness, administer hypertonic
vomiting, diarrhea seizures, coma saline (severe)
Thirst, dry
Dehydration, Administer hypotonic
mucous
diabetes insipidus, fluids, monitor neuro
Hypernatremia membranes,
excessive sodium status, encourage
agitation,
intake water intake
seizures
Potassium (K+) – Normal: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
Hypokalemia Diuretics Muscle v Administer v oral/IV v
(loop/thiazide), weakness, v potassium v (never v IV v
, Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
vomiting, v fatigue, v cardiac v push), v monitor v ECG, v
diarrhea, v poor v dysrhythmias v (U v encourage v potassium-
intake waves), v rich v foods v (bananas, v
constipation potatoes)
Restrict v dietary v
Renal v failure, v Muscle v potassium, v administer v
potassium- weakness, v calcium v gluconate v
Hyperkalemia
sparing v diuretics, v peaked v T v waves, v (cardiac v protection), v
ACE v inhibitors cardiac v arrest insulin v with v glucose, v
kayexalate
Calcium v (Ca++) v – v Normal: v 8.5-10.5 v mg/dL
Assessment v Nursing v
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
Tetany, v positive Administer v
v Chvostek's v calcium v
Hypoparathyroidism, v
sign, v positive v supplements, v
Hypocalcemia vitamin v D v deficiency, v
Trousseau's v monitor v for v
pancreatitis
sign, v muscle v tetany, v seizure v
cramps precautions
Weakness, v Encourage v fluids, v
Hyperparathyroidism, v constipation, v encourage v
Hypercalcemia malignancy, v prolonged kidney v stones, v ambulation, v
v immobilization cardiac v administer v
dysrhythmias calcitonin
Magnesium v (Mg++) v – v Normal: v 1.5-2.5 v mEq/L
Exam 3 Study Guide
Grand Canyon University | 2026/2027
Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions &
Rationales
Instructions
This study guide is designed to help you prepare for Exam 3 in NSG 300. It covers key
foundational nursing concepts including:
• Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
• Acid-Base Balance
• Perioperative Nursing
• Pain Management
• Medication Administration
• Safety & Infection Control
• Oxygenation & Respiratory Function
• Urinary & Bowel Elimination
Each section includes key concepts, nursing interventions, and practice questions
with rationales.
,Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Key Concepts
Body Fluid Compartments
Compartment Percentage Description
Intracellular Fluid (ICF) 40% of body weight Fluid within cells
Extracellular Fluid Fluid outside cells (interstitial, intravascular,
20% of body weight
(ECF) transcellular)
50-60% of body
Total Body Water Varies by age, gender, body composition
weight
Fluid Volume Imbalances
Nursing
Condition Causes Assessment Findings
Interventions
Thirst, dry mucous
Vomiting,
membranes, Monitor I&O, daily
diarrhea,
Hypovolemia decreased skin weights, assess skin
hemorrhage,
(Fluid Volume turgor, tachycardia, turgor, administer
burns, diuretics,
Deficit) hypotension, IV/oral fluids,
inadequate
decreased urine monitor vital signs
intake
output, weight loss
, Nursing
Condition Causes Assessment Findings
Interventions
Edema, jugular vein
Heart failure, Monitor I&O, daily
distention, crackles
Hypervolemia renal failure, weights, assess lung
in lungs,
(Fluid Volume cirrhosis, sounds, restrict
hypertension,
Excess) excessive IV fluids/sodium,
weight gain,
fluids administer diuretics
dyspnea
Electrolyte Imbalances
Sodium (Na+) – Normal: 135-145 mEq/L
Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
SIADH, excessive Confusion, Fluid restriction,
water intake, nausea, muscle monitor neuro status,
Hyponatremia
diuretics, weakness, administer hypertonic
vomiting, diarrhea seizures, coma saline (severe)
Thirst, dry
Dehydration, Administer hypotonic
mucous
diabetes insipidus, fluids, monitor neuro
Hypernatremia membranes,
excessive sodium status, encourage
agitation,
intake water intake
seizures
Potassium (K+) – Normal: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
Hypokalemia Diuretics Muscle v Administer v oral/IV v
(loop/thiazide), weakness, v potassium v (never v IV v
, Assessment Nursing
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
vomiting, v fatigue, v cardiac v push), v monitor v ECG, v
diarrhea, v poor v dysrhythmias v (U v encourage v potassium-
intake waves), v rich v foods v (bananas, v
constipation potatoes)
Restrict v dietary v
Renal v failure, v Muscle v potassium, v administer v
potassium- weakness, v calcium v gluconate v
Hyperkalemia
sparing v diuretics, v peaked v T v waves, v (cardiac v protection), v
ACE v inhibitors cardiac v arrest insulin v with v glucose, v
kayexalate
Calcium v (Ca++) v – v Normal: v 8.5-10.5 v mg/dL
Assessment v Nursing v
Imbalance Causes
Findings Interventions
Tetany, v positive Administer v
v Chvostek's v calcium v
Hypoparathyroidism, v
sign, v positive v supplements, v
Hypocalcemia vitamin v D v deficiency, v
Trousseau's v monitor v for v
pancreatitis
sign, v muscle v tetany, v seizure v
cramps precautions
Weakness, v Encourage v fluids, v
Hyperparathyroidism, v constipation, v encourage v
Hypercalcemia malignancy, v prolonged kidney v stones, v ambulation, v
v immobilization cardiac v administer v
dysrhythmias calcitonin
Magnesium v (Mg++) v – v Normal: v 1.5-2.5 v mEq/L
