Complete NSG 3800 Exam 1 study guide
for 2026–2027. Includes exam-style
questions, answers, and detailed
rationales. Designed to help you pass
confidently and achieve top grades.
Q1. A patient is admitted with severe diarrhea and dehydration. Which
type of intravenous (IV) fluid is most appropriate for initial
resuscitation?
A. 0.225% Sodium Chloride (1/4 Normal Saline)
B. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
C. Lactated Ringer’s (LR)
D. 3% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic Saline)
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactated Ringer’s is isotonic and best for restoring intravascular
volume in dehydration from diarrhea.
Q2. When assessing a patient with hypovolemia, the nurse notes a
heart rate of 118 bpm and a supine blood pressure of 110/72 mmHg.
What is the priority nursing action after moving the patient to a sitting
position?
A. Check for jugular vein distension.
B. Reassess the blood pressure within 1–3 minutes.
C. Assess for a dry, sticky mucous membrane.
D. Administer a 500 mL bolus of 0.45% NaCl.
,Answer: B
Rationale: Reassess BP to check for orthostatic hypotension, a key sign of
hypovolemia.
Q3. A nurse is evaluating laboratory results for a patient with
suspected hypervolemia. Which finding is characteristic of this
condition?
A. Decreased BUN and decreased hematocrit
B. Increased hemoglobin and increased BUN
C. Increased serum osmolality and increased urine specific gravity
D. Decreased serum sodium and decreased urine sodium
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypervolemia causes dilution, lowering BUN and hematocrit.
Q4. A nursing student correctly identifies which of the following as the
primary function of plasma cells in the immune response?
A. Directly destroying virus-infected cells.
B. Producing antibodies to neutralize antigens.
C. Activating the complement cascade.
D. Releasing histamine during an allergic reaction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Plasma cells are antibody-secreting cells derived from B
lymphocytes.
Q5. A patient who is HIV-positive and in the latent phase of the
infection. Which laboratory tests will the provider likely order to
,monitor the progression of the disease and guide treatment decisions?
A. Complete blood count (CBC) and platelet count
B. Liver function tests (LFTs) and electrolytes
C. CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA viral load
D. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Answer: C
Rationale: CD4 count and viral load are the standard markers for HIV
progression and treatment efficacy.
Q6. A patient reports feeling “run down” and experiencing a
low-grade fever, fatigue, and mild muscle aches for the past 24 hours,
but has no clear localizing symptoms. Based on the stages of an
infectious disease, the nurse identifies this phase as:
A. Incubation period
B. Prodromal period
C. Acute period
D. Convalescent period
Answer: B
Rationale: Prodromal period features vague, nonspecific symptoms before
the full illness.
Q7. A patient with heart failure is admitted with hypervolemia and
shortness of breath. Which independent nursing action should the
nurse take next to most quickly improve the patient’s respiratory
status?
A. Administer furosemide 40 mg IV push.
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position.
, C. Increase the patient’s oxygen to 4L via nasal cannula.
D. Restrict the patient’s oral fluid intake to 1500 mL/day.
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position uses gravity to reduce pulmonary
congestion, an independent immediate action.
Q8. A nurse is educating a patient who is prescribed spironolactone
(Aldactone) for heart failure. Which patient statement indicates a
correct understanding of a critical safety point?
A. “I should use a salt substitute that contains potassium on my food to
help reduce sodium.”
B. “I can take two ibuprofen tablets for my occasional headaches.”
C. “I will avoid using over-the-counter salt substitutes in my cooking.”
D. “It is okay to eat as many bananas and potatoes as I want.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium-containing salt substitutes plus spironolactone
greatly increase hyperkalemia risk.
Questions 9–50 (new)
Fluid & Electrolytes (continued)
Q9. A patient’s lab results show sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 5.8
mEq/L, and glucose 300 mg/dL. Which IV fluid is safest to initiate
while awaiting further orders?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. Lactated Ringer’s
for 2026–2027. Includes exam-style
questions, answers, and detailed
rationales. Designed to help you pass
confidently and achieve top grades.
Q1. A patient is admitted with severe diarrhea and dehydration. Which
type of intravenous (IV) fluid is most appropriate for initial
resuscitation?
A. 0.225% Sodium Chloride (1/4 Normal Saline)
B. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
C. Lactated Ringer’s (LR)
D. 3% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic Saline)
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactated Ringer’s is isotonic and best for restoring intravascular
volume in dehydration from diarrhea.
Q2. When assessing a patient with hypovolemia, the nurse notes a
heart rate of 118 bpm and a supine blood pressure of 110/72 mmHg.
What is the priority nursing action after moving the patient to a sitting
position?
A. Check for jugular vein distension.
B. Reassess the blood pressure within 1–3 minutes.
C. Assess for a dry, sticky mucous membrane.
D. Administer a 500 mL bolus of 0.45% NaCl.
,Answer: B
Rationale: Reassess BP to check for orthostatic hypotension, a key sign of
hypovolemia.
Q3. A nurse is evaluating laboratory results for a patient with
suspected hypervolemia. Which finding is characteristic of this
condition?
A. Decreased BUN and decreased hematocrit
B. Increased hemoglobin and increased BUN
C. Increased serum osmolality and increased urine specific gravity
D. Decreased serum sodium and decreased urine sodium
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypervolemia causes dilution, lowering BUN and hematocrit.
Q4. A nursing student correctly identifies which of the following as the
primary function of plasma cells in the immune response?
A. Directly destroying virus-infected cells.
B. Producing antibodies to neutralize antigens.
C. Activating the complement cascade.
D. Releasing histamine during an allergic reaction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Plasma cells are antibody-secreting cells derived from B
lymphocytes.
Q5. A patient who is HIV-positive and in the latent phase of the
infection. Which laboratory tests will the provider likely order to
,monitor the progression of the disease and guide treatment decisions?
A. Complete blood count (CBC) and platelet count
B. Liver function tests (LFTs) and electrolytes
C. CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA viral load
D. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Answer: C
Rationale: CD4 count and viral load are the standard markers for HIV
progression and treatment efficacy.
Q6. A patient reports feeling “run down” and experiencing a
low-grade fever, fatigue, and mild muscle aches for the past 24 hours,
but has no clear localizing symptoms. Based on the stages of an
infectious disease, the nurse identifies this phase as:
A. Incubation period
B. Prodromal period
C. Acute period
D. Convalescent period
Answer: B
Rationale: Prodromal period features vague, nonspecific symptoms before
the full illness.
Q7. A patient with heart failure is admitted with hypervolemia and
shortness of breath. Which independent nursing action should the
nurse take next to most quickly improve the patient’s respiratory
status?
A. Administer furosemide 40 mg IV push.
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position.
, C. Increase the patient’s oxygen to 4L via nasal cannula.
D. Restrict the patient’s oral fluid intake to 1500 mL/day.
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position uses gravity to reduce pulmonary
congestion, an independent immediate action.
Q8. A nurse is educating a patient who is prescribed spironolactone
(Aldactone) for heart failure. Which patient statement indicates a
correct understanding of a critical safety point?
A. “I should use a salt substitute that contains potassium on my food to
help reduce sodium.”
B. “I can take two ibuprofen tablets for my occasional headaches.”
C. “I will avoid using over-the-counter salt substitutes in my cooking.”
D. “It is okay to eat as many bananas and potatoes as I want.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium-containing salt substitutes plus spironolactone
greatly increase hyperkalemia risk.
Questions 9–50 (new)
Fluid & Electrolytes (continued)
Q9. A patient’s lab results show sodium 130 mEq/L, potassium 5.8
mEq/L, and glucose 300 mg/dL. Which IV fluid is safest to initiate
while awaiting further orders?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. Lactated Ringer’s
