NSG 3850 Exam 1 Galen College Of Nursing Actual Exam 200 Questions And Answers Practice Questions with Solutions Newest | Already Graded A+

NSG 3850 Exam 1 Galen College Of
Nursing Actual Exam 200 Questions
And Answers Practice Questions with
Solutions Newest | Already Graded
A+


1. A patient presents with confusion, lethargy, and a serum sodium of
120 mEq/L. Which pathophysiologic process best explains these
symptoms?

 A) Hyperosmolarity of the blood drawing water out of brain cells
 B) Cellular swelling due to water movement into brain cells
 C) Decreased neuromuscular excitability from excess sodium
 D) Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
 Answer: B — Hyponatremia creates a low ECF osmolality, causing water to
shift into brain cells via osmosis, leading to cerebral edema and
neurological symptoms.

2. A patient with chronic alcoholism is admitted with confusion and
muscle tremors. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?

 A) Hypercalcemia
 B) Hypernatremia
 C) Hypomagnesemia
 D) Hyperphosphatemia
 Answer: C — Chronic alcoholism is a classic cause of hypomagnesemia,
leading to increased neuromuscular excitability, tremors, and hyperreflexia.

, 3. A nurse assesses a patient with a positive Chvostek sign. This clinical
finding indicates:

 A) Hypokalemia
 B) Hypocalcemia
 C) Hypermagnesemia
 D) Hypernatremia
 Answer: B — A positive Chvostek sign (facial twitching) indicates increased
neuromuscular excitability, most commonly associated with hypocalcemia.

4. A patient taking furosemide (Lasix) for hypertension is at the
highest risk for developing:

 A) Hyperkalemia
 B) Hypokalemia
 C) Hypercalcemia
 D) Hyponatremia
 Answer: B — Loop diuretics like furosemide inhibit sodium and chloride
reabsorption, leading to increased potassium excretion and a high risk for
hypokalemia.

5. A patient with oliguric acute kidney injury is most likely to
experience which life-threatening electrolyte imbalance?

 A) Hypokalemia
 B) Hypocalcemia
 C) Hypermagnesemia
 D) Hyperkalemia
 Answer: D — In oliguric renal failure, the kidneys cannot excrete
potassium, leading to life-threatening hyperkalemia.

6. Which of the following is the most sensitive indicator of a gain or
loss of body fluid?

 A) Intake and output records
 B) Daily weight measurements

, C) Skin turgor assessment
 D) Blood pressure monitoring
 Answer: B — Daily weight measurement is the most reliable indicator (1 kg
= 1 liter of fluid). Intake/output records can be inaccurate.

7. A patient with prolonged vomiting develops metabolic alkalosis.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to accompany this
condition?

 A) Hyperkalemia
 B) Hypokalemia
 C) Hypermagnesemia
 D) Hypercalcemia
 Answer: B — Loss of gastric acid leads to alkalosis; the kidneys excrete
potassium to conserve hydrogen ions, leading to hypokalemia.

8. The nurse notes that a patient's ABG results show: pH 7.32, PaCO2
50 mm Hg, and HCO3- 26 mEq/L. These are consistent with:

 A) Metabolic acidosis
 B) Metabolic alkalosis
 C) Respiratory acidosis
 D) Respiratory alkalosis
 Answer: C — Low pH (acidosis) + elevated PaCO2 (above 45) indicates
respiratory acidosis.

9. A client presents with hypovolemia. Which vital sign change is
expected?

 A) Decreased heart rate
 B) Increased blood pressure
 C) Postural hypotension
 D) Bradycardia
 Answer: C — Hypovolemia leads to postural hypotension (a drop in BP
upon standing) due to decreased circulating volume and impaired
perfusion.

, 10. Decreased neuromuscular excitability is often the result of:

 A) Hypercalcemia and hypermagnesemia
 B) Hypomagnesemia and hyperkalemia
 C) Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia
 D) Hypernatremia and hypomagnesemia
 Answer: A — Elevated calcium and magnesium levels depress the nervous
system, decreasing neuromuscular excitability.

11. What is likely to lead to hyponatremia?

 A) Insufficient ADH secretion
 B) Excess aldosterone secretion
 C) Administration of IV normal saline
 D) Frequent NG tube irrigation with water
 Answer: D — Frequent irrigation with water introduces excess free water
without sodium, diluting serum sodium levels.

12. An increase in the resting membrane potential (hyperpolarized) is
associated with:

 A) Hypokalemia
 B) Hyperkalemia
 C) Hypocalcemia
 D) Hypercalcemia
 Answer: A — Hypokalemia increases the concentration gradient, making
the cell more difficult to depolarize.

13. Abnormalities in intracellular regulation of enzyme activity and
cellular production of ATP are associated with:

 A) Hyponatremia
 B) Hypocalcemia
 C) Hypophosphatemia
 D) Hypokalemia