NUR 170 Exam 3 Study Guide Quiz 2026 Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following is a priority assessment?
A. Monitor for hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Observe for peaked T-waves on the ECG
C. Monitor for Trousseau’s sign
D. Assess for cardiac arrhythmias and U-waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
arrhythmias and specific ECG changes such as U-waves.
2. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and used for rapid volume
expansion?
A. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 10% Dextrose in Water
Answer: A
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution that remains in
the intravascular compartment, making it ideal for volume expansion.
,3. An ABG result shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret this result?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35) indicating acidosis, and the PaCO2 is high (>45)
indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation.
4. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the
informed consent?
A. The charge nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The circulating nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, and benefits to
obtain informed consent. The nurse only witnesses the signature.
5. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with fluid volume
excess?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Concentrated dark urine
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Tachycardia with a thready pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Jugular venous distention (JVD) is a classic sign of fluid volume excess due to
increased venous pressure.
, 6. A patient has a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse should anticipate an
imbalance in which electrolyte?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia.
7. Which medication is the antidote for a heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
8. To prevent postoperative atelectasis, the nurse should encourage the patient
to:
A. Limit fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema
B. Use the incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while awake
C. Remain on bedrest for the first 48 hours
D. Take shallow breaths to minimize surgical site pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and alveolar expansion,
preventing atelectasis.
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following is a priority assessment?
A. Monitor for hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Observe for peaked T-waves on the ECG
C. Monitor for Trousseau’s sign
D. Assess for cardiac arrhythmias and U-waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
arrhythmias and specific ECG changes such as U-waves.
2. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and used for rapid volume
expansion?
A. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 10% Dextrose in Water
Answer: A
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution that remains in
the intravascular compartment, making it ideal for volume expansion.
,3. An ABG result shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should the nurse
interpret this result?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35) indicating acidosis, and the PaCO2 is high (>45)
indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation.
4. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the
informed consent?
A. The charge nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The circulating nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, and benefits to
obtain informed consent. The nurse only witnesses the signature.
5. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with fluid volume
excess?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Concentrated dark urine
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Tachycardia with a thready pulse
Answer: C
Rationale: Jugular venous distention (JVD) is a classic sign of fluid volume excess due to
increased venous pressure.
, 6. A patient has a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse should anticipate an
imbalance in which electrolyte?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia.
7. Which medication is the antidote for a heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
8. To prevent postoperative atelectasis, the nurse should encourage the patient
to:
A. Limit fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema
B. Use the incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while awake
C. Remain on bedrest for the first 48 hours
D. Take shallow breaths to minimize surgical site pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and alveolar expansion,
preventing atelectasis.
