BIOL 252 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I
Practice Questions & Exam Review | 2026/2027
Full Lab-Based Study Guide with Verified Q&A,
Concepts & Exam Prep
Questions 1-10: Foundational Concepts & Fluid Balance
Question 1
How does proper fluid balance directly influence electrolyte balance in the
body?
• By enhancing the secretion of hormones that degrade electrolytes
• By completely preventing the reabsorption of sodium in the kidney
• Through the suppression of kidney function
• By only increasing the concentration of potassium in the extracellular
fluid
• ✔ The amount of fluid in a compartment will affect the
distribution and concentration of electrolytes
Question 2
Proper fluid balance is necessary to maintain optimal cellular functioning by
ensuring that cells are adequately hydrated, which supports enzymatic
reactions, nutrient uptake, and waste removal.
• ✔ True
• False
Question 3
Which clinical assessment for hydration status measures how long it takes for
blood to re-perfuse tissue after pressure is applied?
• Mucous membrane moisture
• Respiratory rate
, • Blood pressure
• Skin turgor
• ✔ Capillary refill time
• Heart rate
Question 4
A clinician performs a full hydration assessment on a patient. The skin
turgor test showed an immediate response, mucous membranes look moist,
and capillary refill is under 2 seconds. What does this indicate about the
patient’s hydration status?
• ✔ Normal
• Overhydrated
• Dehydrated
Question 5
What role do baroreceptors play when a patient is dehydrated?
• They increase blood volume by releasing fluid from tissues
• ✔ They detect the drop in blood pressure and trigger
sympathetic responses to increase heart rate
• They stimulate parasympathetic activity to slow the heart rate
• They directly cause blood vessels to dilate
Question 6
Tonicity has no impact on cell integrity because it does not affect water
movement into or out of the cell.
• True
• ✔
False
Question 7
A patient is given an oral rehydration solution that, due to a formulation
error, contains a higher concentration of solutes than normal body fluids.
What type of solution was ingested and how does the resulting fluid shift
,affect cells?
• Isotonic: no change to the cells
• Hypotonic: water moves into cells causing swelling
• ✔ Hypertonic: water moves out of cells causing them to shrink
• Hypotonic: water moves equally in both directions
• Isotonic: cells swell due to water gain
Question 8
What is the primary regulator of water intake?
• ✔ The thirst mechanism
• Aldosterone secretion
• Sodium levels in the blood
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Question 9
Which fluid compartment contains the majority of body water?
• Plasma
• Interstitial fluid
• ✔ Intracellular fluid (ICF)
• Lymph
Question 10
Which fluid compartment surrounds tissue cells and provides a medium
for nutrient and waste exchange?
• Plasma
• ✔ Interstitial fluid (ISF)
• Intracellular fluid
• Lymph
, Questions 11-30: Electrolytes & Hormonal Regulation
Question 11
Which electrolyte is the main intracellular cation that is important for
maintaining resting membrane potential?
• Sodium (Na⁺)
• Chloride (Cl⁻)
• Calcium (Ca²⁺)
• ✔ Potassium (K⁺)
Question 12
A patient has a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L. This condition is called:
• Hypernatremia
• ✔ Hyponatremia
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypokalemia
Question 13
Which hormone primarily regulates sodium reabsorption in the kidneys?
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• ✔ Aldosterone
• Calcitonin
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Question 14
Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary to increase water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
• Aldosterone
• Renin
• ✔ Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Practice Questions & Exam Review | 2026/2027
Full Lab-Based Study Guide with Verified Q&A,
Concepts & Exam Prep
Questions 1-10: Foundational Concepts & Fluid Balance
Question 1
How does proper fluid balance directly influence electrolyte balance in the
body?
• By enhancing the secretion of hormones that degrade electrolytes
• By completely preventing the reabsorption of sodium in the kidney
• Through the suppression of kidney function
• By only increasing the concentration of potassium in the extracellular
fluid
• ✔ The amount of fluid in a compartment will affect the
distribution and concentration of electrolytes
Question 2
Proper fluid balance is necessary to maintain optimal cellular functioning by
ensuring that cells are adequately hydrated, which supports enzymatic
reactions, nutrient uptake, and waste removal.
• ✔ True
• False
Question 3
Which clinical assessment for hydration status measures how long it takes for
blood to re-perfuse tissue after pressure is applied?
• Mucous membrane moisture
• Respiratory rate
, • Blood pressure
• Skin turgor
• ✔ Capillary refill time
• Heart rate
Question 4
A clinician performs a full hydration assessment on a patient. The skin
turgor test showed an immediate response, mucous membranes look moist,
and capillary refill is under 2 seconds. What does this indicate about the
patient’s hydration status?
• ✔ Normal
• Overhydrated
• Dehydrated
Question 5
What role do baroreceptors play when a patient is dehydrated?
• They increase blood volume by releasing fluid from tissues
• ✔ They detect the drop in blood pressure and trigger
sympathetic responses to increase heart rate
• They stimulate parasympathetic activity to slow the heart rate
• They directly cause blood vessels to dilate
Question 6
Tonicity has no impact on cell integrity because it does not affect water
movement into or out of the cell.
• True
• ✔
False
Question 7
A patient is given an oral rehydration solution that, due to a formulation
error, contains a higher concentration of solutes than normal body fluids.
What type of solution was ingested and how does the resulting fluid shift
,affect cells?
• Isotonic: no change to the cells
• Hypotonic: water moves into cells causing swelling
• ✔ Hypertonic: water moves out of cells causing them to shrink
• Hypotonic: water moves equally in both directions
• Isotonic: cells swell due to water gain
Question 8
What is the primary regulator of water intake?
• ✔ The thirst mechanism
• Aldosterone secretion
• Sodium levels in the blood
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Question 9
Which fluid compartment contains the majority of body water?
• Plasma
• Interstitial fluid
• ✔ Intracellular fluid (ICF)
• Lymph
Question 10
Which fluid compartment surrounds tissue cells and provides a medium
for nutrient and waste exchange?
• Plasma
• ✔ Interstitial fluid (ISF)
• Intracellular fluid
• Lymph
, Questions 11-30: Electrolytes & Hormonal Regulation
Question 11
Which electrolyte is the main intracellular cation that is important for
maintaining resting membrane potential?
• Sodium (Na⁺)
• Chloride (Cl⁻)
• Calcium (Ca²⁺)
• ✔ Potassium (K⁺)
Question 12
A patient has a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L. This condition is called:
• Hypernatremia
• ✔ Hyponatremia
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypokalemia
Question 13
Which hormone primarily regulates sodium reabsorption in the kidneys?
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• ✔ Aldosterone
• Calcitonin
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Question 14
Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary to increase water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
• Aldosterone
• Renin
• ✔ Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
