NR 226 Adult Health I Exam 5 Practice Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following ECG changes should the nurse expect to see?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as
flattened or inverted T waves and the appearance of prominent U waves.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Constipation
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure
cuff) is a classic sign of neuromuscular irritability associated with hypocalcemia.
,3. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of metabolic acidosis. Which
respiratory pattern does the nurse expect to observe?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Shallow, slow respirations
D. Apneustic breathing
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as the body attempts
to blow off excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
4. The nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52
mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. Which intravenous fluid is considered hypotonic?
A. Lactated Ringer’s
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is hypotonic. 0.9% NaCl and
Lactated Ringer’s are isotonic, while D5NS is hypertonic.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a patient with fluid volume excess. Which finding is
expected?
A. Flat neck veins when supine
B. Decreased central venous pressure
C. Bounding peripheral pulses
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume excess leads to increased vascular volume, resulting in bounding
pulses, distended neck veins, and increased blood pressure.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority?
A. Encouraging increased fluid intake
B. Providing a high-salt diet
C. Administering a dose of a loop diuretic
D. Implementing seizure precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (< 130 mEq/L) places the patient at high risk for cerebral
edema and seizures; safety precautions are the priority.
8. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Who is responsible for obtaining
the informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The perioperative nurse manager
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives to obtain informed consent.
College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following ECG changes should the nurse expect to see?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as
flattened or inverted T waves and the appearance of prominent U waves.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Constipation
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure
cuff) is a classic sign of neuromuscular irritability associated with hypocalcemia.
,3. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of metabolic acidosis. Which
respiratory pattern does the nurse expect to observe?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Shallow, slow respirations
D. Apneustic breathing
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as the body attempts
to blow off excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
4. The nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52
mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. Which intravenous fluid is considered hypotonic?
A. Lactated Ringer’s
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: C
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is hypotonic. 0.9% NaCl and
Lactated Ringer’s are isotonic, while D5NS is hypertonic.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a patient with fluid volume excess. Which finding is
expected?
A. Flat neck veins when supine
B. Decreased central venous pressure
C. Bounding peripheral pulses
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume excess leads to increased vascular volume, resulting in bounding
pulses, distended neck veins, and increased blood pressure.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority?
A. Encouraging increased fluid intake
B. Providing a high-salt diet
C. Administering a dose of a loop diuretic
D. Implementing seizure precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (< 130 mEq/L) places the patient at high risk for cerebral
edema and seizures; safety precautions are the priority.
8. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Who is responsible for obtaining
the informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The perioperative nurse manager
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives to obtain informed consent.
