NU 545 Unit 1 – University of South Alabama
(2026) Comprehensive Test Bank Questions and
Answers
Introduction:
This document contains a full set of test bank questions and
detailed answers for NU 545 Unit 1, focusing on foundational
concepts in pathophysiology. It covers key topics including fluid
and electrolyte balance, cellular injury, inflammation, immunity,
and endocrine responses. The material aligns closely with exam
preparation and provides concise explanations for high-yield
concepts tested in nursing and advanced health science courses.
Exam Questions and Answers
Why are obese people at greater risk for dehydration? --- correct
precise answer ---Exchange of solutes and water occurs between
compartments to maintain their unique compositions. The
percentage of TBW varies with the amount of body fat and age.
Because fat is water repelling (hydrophobic), very little water is
contained in adipose cells. Individuals with more body fat have
proportionately less total body water and tend to be more
susceptible to fluid imbalances that cause dehydration. (p105)
With low plasma albumin you have edema, why? --- correct precise
answer ---Decrease plasma oncotic pressure results from losses or
diminished production of plasma albumin. Decreased oncotic
attraction of fluid within capillaries causes fluid to move into the
,interstitial space, resulting in edema. Decreased synthesis of
plasma protein and decreased oncotic pressure may occur with liver
disease or protein malnutrition. Losses of plasma proteins occur
with glomerular disease of the kidney (nephrotic syndrome),
hemorrhage, and serous drainage from open wounds or burns.
(p106)
What causes hypernatremia? --- correct precise answer ---
Hypernatremia can be caused by advanced age, impaired mental
state, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus,
tube feedings, and use of diuretics. (p111)
Can insulin be used to treat hyperkalemia? --- correct precise
answer ---Administration of insulin and glucose helps facilitate
cellular entry of potassium. (p118-119)
What does hyperaldosteronism cause in relation to fluid and
electrolyte balance? --- correct precise answer ---In
hyperaldosteronism the excess aldosterone causes sodium retention
and loss of hydrogen and potassium ions. This leads to mild volume
expansion and bicarbonate retention along with sodium, which
leads to alkalosis. (p127)
What causes the neuron symptoms in hypernatremia? --- correct
precise answer ---Hypernatremia- Central nervous system signs are
the most serious and are related to shrinking of brain cells and
,alteration in membrane potentials. When there is excessive sodium
(greater than 145mEq/L) in the extracellular space, water is
osmotically attracted to the hypertonic extracellular space from the
intracellular space, and intracellular dehydration occurs. These
symptoms include weakness, lethargy, muscle twitching, and
hyperreflexia (hyperactive reflexes) and can lead to confusion,
coma, and seizures. Hypernatremia with marked water deficit is
manifested by signs and symptoms of both intracellular and
extracellular dehydration with volume depletion. (p112)
What causes the neuron symptoms in hyponatremia --- correct
precise answer ---Hyponatremia- when serum sodium
concentration decreases to less than 120 mEq/L cellular swelling
and deficits of intracellular sodium alter the ability of cells to
depolarize and repolarize normally. Neurologic symptoms
(lethargy, headache, confusion, apprehension, seizures, and coma)
usually occur with severe hyponatremia which is a serum sodium
level of less than 125mEq/L.. A life-threatening complication of
hyponatremia is cerebral edema which is caused by increased shifts
of fluid to the intracellular space and increase intracranial
pressure. (p113)
Why does a pt. have decreased urine output with SIADH? --- correct
precise answer ---The increase of antidiuretic hormone increases
the renal duct permeability to water by inducing the insertion of
aquaporin-2, a water channel protein, into the tubular luminal
membrane which increases water absorption by the kidneys.
, SIADH (increase ADH)-> increased water reabsorption->
concentrated urine/lower output
Pg. 671
Retention of sodium and water causes edema because of an increase
in? --- correct precise answer ---Excess sodium and water retention
can cause increased capillary hydrostatic pressure. The increase of
hydrostatic pressure causes fluid to be pushed from the capillaries
into the interstitial spaces. Edema occurs because of all you have
interstitial fluid exceeds the capacity of the lymphatics to return
fluid to the vascular system. (p108)....increased tissue oncotic
pressure, decreased capillary oncotic pressure and increased
capillary hydrostatic pressure.
During acidosis how does the body compensate for increase in
hydrogen ions? --- correct precise answer ---In respiratory acidosis
- the increased levels of CO2 stimulate the kidneys to compensate to
retain bicarb (HCO3) to buffer all of the excess hydrogen ions to
normalize the pH
In metabolic acidosis - the lowered pH stimulates the lungs to
compensate by hyperventilation which decreases the levels of CO2
and bicarb
Pg. 125/128
What is the significance of deep, rapid breathing in metabolic
acidosis? --- correct precise answer ---Deep rapid breathing also
(2026) Comprehensive Test Bank Questions and
Answers
Introduction:
This document contains a full set of test bank questions and
detailed answers for NU 545 Unit 1, focusing on foundational
concepts in pathophysiology. It covers key topics including fluid
and electrolyte balance, cellular injury, inflammation, immunity,
and endocrine responses. The material aligns closely with exam
preparation and provides concise explanations for high-yield
concepts tested in nursing and advanced health science courses.
Exam Questions and Answers
Why are obese people at greater risk for dehydration? --- correct
precise answer ---Exchange of solutes and water occurs between
compartments to maintain their unique compositions. The
percentage of TBW varies with the amount of body fat and age.
Because fat is water repelling (hydrophobic), very little water is
contained in adipose cells. Individuals with more body fat have
proportionately less total body water and tend to be more
susceptible to fluid imbalances that cause dehydration. (p105)
With low plasma albumin you have edema, why? --- correct precise
answer ---Decrease plasma oncotic pressure results from losses or
diminished production of plasma albumin. Decreased oncotic
attraction of fluid within capillaries causes fluid to move into the
,interstitial space, resulting in edema. Decreased synthesis of
plasma protein and decreased oncotic pressure may occur with liver
disease or protein malnutrition. Losses of plasma proteins occur
with glomerular disease of the kidney (nephrotic syndrome),
hemorrhage, and serous drainage from open wounds or burns.
(p106)
What causes hypernatremia? --- correct precise answer ---
Hypernatremia can be caused by advanced age, impaired mental
state, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus,
tube feedings, and use of diuretics. (p111)
Can insulin be used to treat hyperkalemia? --- correct precise
answer ---Administration of insulin and glucose helps facilitate
cellular entry of potassium. (p118-119)
What does hyperaldosteronism cause in relation to fluid and
electrolyte balance? --- correct precise answer ---In
hyperaldosteronism the excess aldosterone causes sodium retention
and loss of hydrogen and potassium ions. This leads to mild volume
expansion and bicarbonate retention along with sodium, which
leads to alkalosis. (p127)
What causes the neuron symptoms in hypernatremia? --- correct
precise answer ---Hypernatremia- Central nervous system signs are
the most serious and are related to shrinking of brain cells and
,alteration in membrane potentials. When there is excessive sodium
(greater than 145mEq/L) in the extracellular space, water is
osmotically attracted to the hypertonic extracellular space from the
intracellular space, and intracellular dehydration occurs. These
symptoms include weakness, lethargy, muscle twitching, and
hyperreflexia (hyperactive reflexes) and can lead to confusion,
coma, and seizures. Hypernatremia with marked water deficit is
manifested by signs and symptoms of both intracellular and
extracellular dehydration with volume depletion. (p112)
What causes the neuron symptoms in hyponatremia --- correct
precise answer ---Hyponatremia- when serum sodium
concentration decreases to less than 120 mEq/L cellular swelling
and deficits of intracellular sodium alter the ability of cells to
depolarize and repolarize normally. Neurologic symptoms
(lethargy, headache, confusion, apprehension, seizures, and coma)
usually occur with severe hyponatremia which is a serum sodium
level of less than 125mEq/L.. A life-threatening complication of
hyponatremia is cerebral edema which is caused by increased shifts
of fluid to the intracellular space and increase intracranial
pressure. (p113)
Why does a pt. have decreased urine output with SIADH? --- correct
precise answer ---The increase of antidiuretic hormone increases
the renal duct permeability to water by inducing the insertion of
aquaporin-2, a water channel protein, into the tubular luminal
membrane which increases water absorption by the kidneys.
, SIADH (increase ADH)-> increased water reabsorption->
concentrated urine/lower output
Pg. 671
Retention of sodium and water causes edema because of an increase
in? --- correct precise answer ---Excess sodium and water retention
can cause increased capillary hydrostatic pressure. The increase of
hydrostatic pressure causes fluid to be pushed from the capillaries
into the interstitial spaces. Edema occurs because of all you have
interstitial fluid exceeds the capacity of the lymphatics to return
fluid to the vascular system. (p108)....increased tissue oncotic
pressure, decreased capillary oncotic pressure and increased
capillary hydrostatic pressure.
During acidosis how does the body compensate for increase in
hydrogen ions? --- correct precise answer ---In respiratory acidosis
- the increased levels of CO2 stimulate the kidneys to compensate to
retain bicarb (HCO3) to buffer all of the excess hydrogen ions to
normalize the pH
In metabolic acidosis - the lowered pH stimulates the lungs to
compensate by hyperventilation which decreases the levels of CO2
and bicarb
Pg. 125/128
What is the significance of deep, rapid breathing in metabolic
acidosis? --- correct precise answer ---Deep rapid breathing also
