NR 324 Adult Health I (Med-Surg 1) Final
2026 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST
VERSION (2026/2027)
Question:
What age group has the highest percentage of water content?
Correct Answer:
Preterm infants / Neonates
Expert Rationale
Preterm infants and neonates have the highest total body water content due to immature body
systems and a higher proportion of extracellular fluid. Total body water decreases with age as
body fat increases and lean mass proportionally decreases.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Fluid Distribution
OBJ: Identify age-related differences in body water content
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
ICF makes up what percent of total body weight?
Correct Answer:
40%
Expert Rationale
Intracellular fluid (ICF) accounts for approximately 40% of total body weight and represents the
fluid contained within cells, making it the largest fluid compartment in the body.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Compartments
OBJ: Identify distribution of body fluids
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
,Question:
What are the two main compartments containing ECF?
Correct Answer:
Interstitial fluid and intravascular (plasma) fluid
Expert Rationale
Extracellular fluid (ECF) is divided into interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) and intravascular
fluid (plasma within blood vessels). These compartments maintain circulation and tissue
perfusion.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Fluid Compartments
OBJ: Identify ECF components
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Transcellular fluid includes:
Correct Answer:
Cerebrospinal fluid, GI fluids, synovial, pleural, peritoneal, intraocular, and pericardial fluids
Expert Rationale
Transcellular fluid is a specialized subset of extracellular fluid found in body cavities and lined
spaces, serving lubrication, protection, and transport functions.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Fluid Compartments
OBJ: Identify transcellular fluid types
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
1 L of water = _____ lb.
Correct Answer:
2.2 lb (1 kg)
,Expert Rationale
One liter of water is equivalent to one kilogram, which equals approximately 2.2 pounds. This
conversion is commonly used in fluid balance and weight assessment.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Weight Conversion
OBJ: Convert fluid volume to weight
TOP: Mathematical Principles
Question:
The concentrations of electrolytes in body fluids is expressed in _______.
Correct Answer:
Milliequivalents (mEq) per liter
Expert Rationale
Electrolyte concentration is measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), which reflects both
the chemical activity and charge of ions in body fluids.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Laboratory Values
OBJ: Identify electrolyte measurement units
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
What are the main ions found in the ECF and ICF?
Correct Answer:
ECF: Sodium (Na+); ICF: Potassium (K+)
Expert Rationale
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation, while potassium is the primary intracellular cation.
This distribution is essential for maintaining fluid balance and cellular function.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Ion Distribution
OBJ: Identify primary electrolytes in fluid compartments
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
, Question:
Hypovolemia (ECF volume deficit) is caused by:
Correct Answer:
Abnormal loss or insufficient intake of body fluids or fluid shifts
Expert Rationale
Hypovolemia occurs when fluid loss exceeds intake or when fluid shifts out of the intravascular
space, resulting in decreased circulating volume and impaired tissue perfusion.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Volume Deficit
OBJ: Identify causes of hypovolemia
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Hypervolemia (ECF volume excess) is caused by:
Correct Answer:
Excess fluid intake, fluid retention, or fluid shifts into intravascular space
Expert Rationale
Hypervolemia results from excess fluid administration or impaired fluid elimination, commonly
seen in heart failure, renal failure, or hormonal imbalances such as SIADH.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Volume Excess
OBJ: Identify causes of hypervolemia
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Nutrition related to potassium:
Correct Answer:
Dietary intake from fruits, vegetables, and salt substitutes
Expert Rationale
Potassium is primarily obtained through diet, especially fruits and vegetables. Excess intake or
impaired renal excretion can lead to hyperkalemia.
2026 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST
VERSION (2026/2027)
Question:
What age group has the highest percentage of water content?
Correct Answer:
Preterm infants / Neonates
Expert Rationale
Preterm infants and neonates have the highest total body water content due to immature body
systems and a higher proportion of extracellular fluid. Total body water decreases with age as
body fat increases and lean mass proportionally decreases.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Fluid Distribution
OBJ: Identify age-related differences in body water content
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
ICF makes up what percent of total body weight?
Correct Answer:
40%
Expert Rationale
Intracellular fluid (ICF) accounts for approximately 40% of total body weight and represents the
fluid contained within cells, making it the largest fluid compartment in the body.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Compartments
OBJ: Identify distribution of body fluids
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
,Question:
What are the two main compartments containing ECF?
Correct Answer:
Interstitial fluid and intravascular (plasma) fluid
Expert Rationale
Extracellular fluid (ECF) is divided into interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) and intravascular
fluid (plasma within blood vessels). These compartments maintain circulation and tissue
perfusion.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Body Fluid Compartments
OBJ: Identify ECF components
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Transcellular fluid includes:
Correct Answer:
Cerebrospinal fluid, GI fluids, synovial, pleural, peritoneal, intraocular, and pericardial fluids
Expert Rationale
Transcellular fluid is a specialized subset of extracellular fluid found in body cavities and lined
spaces, serving lubrication, protection, and transport functions.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Fluid Compartments
OBJ: Identify transcellular fluid types
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
1 L of water = _____ lb.
Correct Answer:
2.2 lb (1 kg)
,Expert Rationale
One liter of water is equivalent to one kilogram, which equals approximately 2.2 pounds. This
conversion is commonly used in fluid balance and weight assessment.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Weight Conversion
OBJ: Convert fluid volume to weight
TOP: Mathematical Principles
Question:
The concentrations of electrolytes in body fluids is expressed in _______.
Correct Answer:
Milliequivalents (mEq) per liter
Expert Rationale
Electrolyte concentration is measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), which reflects both
the chemical activity and charge of ions in body fluids.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Laboratory Values
OBJ: Identify electrolyte measurement units
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
What are the main ions found in the ECF and ICF?
Correct Answer:
ECF: Sodium (Na+); ICF: Potassium (K+)
Expert Rationale
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation, while potassium is the primary intracellular cation.
This distribution is essential for maintaining fluid balance and cellular function.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Ion Distribution
OBJ: Identify primary electrolytes in fluid compartments
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
, Question:
Hypovolemia (ECF volume deficit) is caused by:
Correct Answer:
Abnormal loss or insufficient intake of body fluids or fluid shifts
Expert Rationale
Hypovolemia occurs when fluid loss exceeds intake or when fluid shifts out of the intravascular
space, resulting in decreased circulating volume and impaired tissue perfusion.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Volume Deficit
OBJ: Identify causes of hypovolemia
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Hypervolemia (ECF volume excess) is caused by:
Correct Answer:
Excess fluid intake, fluid retention, or fluid shifts into intravascular space
Expert Rationale
Hypervolemia results from excess fluid administration or impaired fluid elimination, commonly
seen in heart failure, renal failure, or hormonal imbalances such as SIADH.
DIF: Knowledge
REF: Fluid & Electrolytes / Volume Excess
OBJ: Identify causes of hypervolemia
TOP: Physiological Adaptation
Question:
Nutrition related to potassium:
Correct Answer:
Dietary intake from fruits, vegetables, and salt substitutes
Expert Rationale
Potassium is primarily obtained through diet, especially fruits and vegetables. Excess intake or
impaired renal excretion can lead to hyperkalemia.
