NR283 Exam 2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Fluids & Electrolytes,
Renal, GI, Neuro, Cardiac, Geriatrics | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct
(Verified Answers)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pathophysiology: Fluids, Electrolytes, Renal, GI, NR283 Exam 2 Study Guide 2026/2027
Neuro, Cardiac, Geriatrics
Q1
What is the major cation in extracellular fluid?
A Potassium (K+)
B Sodium (Na+)
C Calcium (Ca2+)
D Magnesium (Mg2+)
CORRECT ANSWER B. Sodium (Na+)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation (135-145 mEq/L). It maintains osmotic pressure, fluid balance,
and nerve impulse transmission. Hyponatremia or hypernatremia causes serious neurological symptoms.
,Q2
What electrolyte is most responsible for cardiac rhythm?
A Sodium
B Calcium
C Potassium
D Chloride
CORRECT ANSWER C. Potassium
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Potassium is the primary intracellular cation, critical for cardiac electrophysiology. Hypokalemia causes U
waves, flat T waves, arrhythmias; hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves, wide QRS, and cardiac arrest.
"Tissue death potassium" - severe hyperkalemia >6.5 mEq/L is life-threatening and requires emergent
treatment (calcium gluconate, insulin/dextrose, albuterol, kayexalate).
Q3
What happens in hyperkalemia?
A Flat T waves and bradycardia
B Wish for lethal dysrhythmias (peaked T waves, wide QRS, sine wave)
C U waves and prolonged QT
D No cardiac effects
CORRECT ANSWER B. Wish for lethal dysrhythmias (peaked T waves, wide QRS, sine wave)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
ECG changes in hyperkalemia: peaked T waves (early, >5.5 mEq/L), widened QRS, flattened P waves,
prolonged PR, sine wave pattern, then ventricular fibrillation or asystole. Emergent treatment required.
, Q4
What is hyponatremia?
A Sodium <135 mEq/L, causing confusion and seizures
B Sodium >145 mEq/L causing thirst and agitation
C Potassium <3.5 mEq/L
D Potassium >5.0 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER A. Sodium <135 mEq/L, causing confusion and seizures
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Cerebral edema from water shift into brain cells causes symptoms: nausea, headache, confusion, seizures,
coma. Acute severe hyponatremia is a medical emergency. "Confusion - check sodium."
Q5
What causes edema?
A Increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure
B Decreased hydrostatic pressure only
C Increased oncotic pressure only
D Increased lymphatic drainage
CORRECT ANSWER A. Increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Starling forces: increased hydrostatic pressure (heart failure, venous obstruction) pushes fluid out;
decreased plasma oncotic pressure (nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, malnutrition) fails to pull fluid back.
Renal, GI, Neuro, Cardiac, Geriatrics | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct
(Verified Answers)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CLINICAL REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
SUBJECT SOURCE
Pathophysiology: Fluids, Electrolytes, Renal, GI, NR283 Exam 2 Study Guide 2026/2027
Neuro, Cardiac, Geriatrics
Q1
What is the major cation in extracellular fluid?
A Potassium (K+)
B Sodium (Na+)
C Calcium (Ca2+)
D Magnesium (Mg2+)
CORRECT ANSWER B. Sodium (Na+)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation (135-145 mEq/L). It maintains osmotic pressure, fluid balance,
and nerve impulse transmission. Hyponatremia or hypernatremia causes serious neurological symptoms.
,Q2
What electrolyte is most responsible for cardiac rhythm?
A Sodium
B Calcium
C Potassium
D Chloride
CORRECT ANSWER C. Potassium
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Potassium is the primary intracellular cation, critical for cardiac electrophysiology. Hypokalemia causes U
waves, flat T waves, arrhythmias; hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves, wide QRS, and cardiac arrest.
"Tissue death potassium" - severe hyperkalemia >6.5 mEq/L is life-threatening and requires emergent
treatment (calcium gluconate, insulin/dextrose, albuterol, kayexalate).
Q3
What happens in hyperkalemia?
A Flat T waves and bradycardia
B Wish for lethal dysrhythmias (peaked T waves, wide QRS, sine wave)
C U waves and prolonged QT
D No cardiac effects
CORRECT ANSWER B. Wish for lethal dysrhythmias (peaked T waves, wide QRS, sine wave)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
ECG changes in hyperkalemia: peaked T waves (early, >5.5 mEq/L), widened QRS, flattened P waves,
prolonged PR, sine wave pattern, then ventricular fibrillation or asystole. Emergent treatment required.
, Q4
What is hyponatremia?
A Sodium <135 mEq/L, causing confusion and seizures
B Sodium >145 mEq/L causing thirst and agitation
C Potassium <3.5 mEq/L
D Potassium >5.0 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER A. Sodium <135 mEq/L, causing confusion and seizures
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Cerebral edema from water shift into brain cells causes symptoms: nausea, headache, confusion, seizures,
coma. Acute severe hyponatremia is a medical emergency. "Confusion - check sodium."
Q5
What causes edema?
A Increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure
B Decreased hydrostatic pressure only
C Increased oncotic pressure only
D Increased lymphatic drainage
CORRECT ANSWER A. Increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
Starling forces: increased hydrostatic pressure (heart failure, venous obstruction) pushes fluid out;
decreased plasma oncotic pressure (nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, malnutrition) fails to pull fluid back.
