NR283 Exam 3: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Fluids & Electrolytes,
Acid-Base Balance, GI, Renal, Endocrine | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pathophysiology: Fluids, Electrolytes, Acid-Base, NR283 Exam 3 Study Guide 2026/2027
GI, Renal, Endocrine
Q1
What is hypokalemia?
A Serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L
B Serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L (may lead to cardiac arrest)
C Serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L
D Serum calcium level less than 9 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER B. Serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L (may lead to cardiac
arrest)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Hypokalemia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice. Severe hypokalemia (<2.5
mEq/L) causes life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
,Q2
What are signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
A Cardiac arrhythmias leading to arrest, anorexia, nausea, constipation, fatigue, muscle
twitching, weakness, leg cramps, shallow respirations, paresthesia, postural hypotension,
polyuria, nocturia, elevated serum pH (>7.45)
B Peaked T waves and muscle rigidity
C Tetany and laryngospasm
D Edema and weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER A. Cardiac arrhythmias leading to arrest, anorexia, nausea, constipation,
fatigue, muscle twitching, weakness, leg cramps, shallow respirations, paresthesia, postural
hypotension, polyuria, nocturia, elevated serum pH (>7.45)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Early signs: muscle weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, constipation. ECG changes: flat T waves, U waves,
prolonged QT interval. Severe: respiratory muscle weakness, paralytic ileus, ventricular arrhythmias.
Q3
What are causes of hypokalemia?
A Excessive loss due to diarrhea, lost in urine from diuretics (furosemide), excessive
aldosterone/glucocorticoids (Cushing syndrome), decreased dietary intake, treating DKA with
insulin
B Renal failure and potassium-sparing diuretics
C Excessive intake of potassium supplements
D Addison's disease
CORRECT ANSWER A. Excessive loss due to diarrhea, lost in urine from diuretics (furosemide),
excessive aldosterone/glucocorticoids (Cushing syndrome), decreased dietary intake,
treating DKA with insulin
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Insulin forces potassium into cells (used in DKA treatment can cause dangerous hypokalemia). Loop
diuretics and thiazides increase renal potassium excretion.
, Q4
What is the function of hydrochloric acid (H+) in digestion?
A Regulates osmotic pressure
B Important for bone regulation
C Works with muscle and nerves
D Digestion
CORRECT ANSWER D. Digestion
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Gastric HCl (hydrochloric acid) creates acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5) that activates pepsinogen to
pepsin, denatures proteins, and kills ingested pathogens.
Q5
What is the function of sodium chloride (Na+)?
A Regulates osmotic pressure
B Important for bone regulation
C Works with muscle and nerves
D Digestion
CORRECT ANSWER A. Regulates osmotic pressure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation, maintaining osmotic balance, fluid distribution, and nerve
impulse transmission.
Acid-Base Balance, GI, Renal, Endocrine | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pathophysiology: Fluids, Electrolytes, Acid-Base, NR283 Exam 3 Study Guide 2026/2027
GI, Renal, Endocrine
Q1
What is hypokalemia?
A Serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L
B Serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L (may lead to cardiac arrest)
C Serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L
D Serum calcium level less than 9 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER B. Serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L (may lead to cardiac
arrest)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Hypokalemia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice. Severe hypokalemia (<2.5
mEq/L) causes life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
,Q2
What are signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
A Cardiac arrhythmias leading to arrest, anorexia, nausea, constipation, fatigue, muscle
twitching, weakness, leg cramps, shallow respirations, paresthesia, postural hypotension,
polyuria, nocturia, elevated serum pH (>7.45)
B Peaked T waves and muscle rigidity
C Tetany and laryngospasm
D Edema and weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER A. Cardiac arrhythmias leading to arrest, anorexia, nausea, constipation,
fatigue, muscle twitching, weakness, leg cramps, shallow respirations, paresthesia, postural
hypotension, polyuria, nocturia, elevated serum pH (>7.45)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Early signs: muscle weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, constipation. ECG changes: flat T waves, U waves,
prolonged QT interval. Severe: respiratory muscle weakness, paralytic ileus, ventricular arrhythmias.
Q3
What are causes of hypokalemia?
A Excessive loss due to diarrhea, lost in urine from diuretics (furosemide), excessive
aldosterone/glucocorticoids (Cushing syndrome), decreased dietary intake, treating DKA with
insulin
B Renal failure and potassium-sparing diuretics
C Excessive intake of potassium supplements
D Addison's disease
CORRECT ANSWER A. Excessive loss due to diarrhea, lost in urine from diuretics (furosemide),
excessive aldosterone/glucocorticoids (Cushing syndrome), decreased dietary intake,
treating DKA with insulin
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Insulin forces potassium into cells (used in DKA treatment can cause dangerous hypokalemia). Loop
diuretics and thiazides increase renal potassium excretion.
, Q4
What is the function of hydrochloric acid (H+) in digestion?
A Regulates osmotic pressure
B Important for bone regulation
C Works with muscle and nerves
D Digestion
CORRECT ANSWER D. Digestion
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Gastric HCl (hydrochloric acid) creates acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5) that activates pepsinogen to
pepsin, denatures proteins, and kills ingested pathogens.
Q5
What is the function of sodium chloride (Na+)?
A Regulates osmotic pressure
B Important for bone regulation
C Works with muscle and nerves
D Digestion
CORRECT ANSWER A. Regulates osmotic pressure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation, maintaining osmotic balance, fluid distribution, and nerve
impulse transmission.
