WGU D236 Homeostasis Test Bank Latest Update
2026 | Comprehensive Prep
1. What is the primary regulatory system that controls thirst and the actions of
ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS?
The hypothalamus
The pancreas
The adrenal cortex
The pituitary gland
2. A patient presents with low total calcium levels but normal ionized calcium
levels. What condition might this indicate, and what laboratory value should
be checked to confirm your suspicion?
Metabolic acidosis; bicarbonate levels
Hypercalcemia; potassium levels
Hypocalcemia; sodium levels
Pseudohypocalcemia; albumin levels
3. In ketoacidosis, the anion gap would most likely be affected in what way?
Unchanged from normal
Balanced
Decreased
Increased
,4. A patient is having a severe anxiety attack. Artertal blood gas results show
respiratory alkalosis. Which nursing intervention would help the patient
regain acid-base balance?
Place the patient in high Fowler's position
Give the patient a glass of orange juice
Have the patient rebreathe air from a paper bag
Administer nasal oxygen at 6 L/min
5. What happens in a dehydrated patient?
ADH levels increase and the RAAS is inactivated.
ADH levels decrease and the RAAS is inactivated.
ADH levels decrease and the RAAS is activated.
ADH levels increase and the RAAS is activated.
6. What laboratory result is commonly associated with pseudohypocalcemia?
High potassium levels
Low magnesium levels
Low albumin levels
High sodium levels
7. Which action is the function of ADH?
Reduces blood volume
Decreases water loss in urine
Initiates the thirst mechanism
Increases urine output
,8. A nurse is providing care for a patient who is breathing rapidly. As a result of
this elevated respiratory rate, the nurse expects the patient's body is
attempting to:
improve the buffering ability of bicarbonate.
retain carbon dioxide.
get rid of excess carbon dioxide.
produce more carbonic acid.
9. What is a common physical assessment finding associated with respiratory
acidosis?
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Hypoventilation
Hyperventilation
10. What is the term for the pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin, in
the blood?
Osmotic pressure
Hydrostatic pressure
Oncotic pressure
Blood pressure
11. If a patient presents with hyperphosphatemia and symptoms of muscle
cramps and tingling, what condition should the healthcare team consider
monitoring closely?
Metabolic acidosis
, Respiratory alkalosis
Hypocalcemia
Hyperkalemia
12. What substance is primarily responsible for regulating osmotic pressure in
the vascular system?
Albumin
Glucose
Sodium
Potassium
13. In a patient with heart failure, how might natriuresis be beneficial in their
treatment plan?
It can help reduce fluid overload and lower blood pressure.
It can lead to increased potassium levels in the blood.
It can increase sodium retention and worsen edema.
It can promote glucose production in the liver.
14. The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory distress related to an
anxiety attack. Recent arterial blood gas values are pH 7.53, Pco2
33mm/mg, HCO3 28mEq/L. What conclusion about the client should the
nurse make?
The client is fluid volume overloaded
The client is probably hyperventilating
The client is probably overreacting
The client has acidotic blood.
2026 | Comprehensive Prep
1. What is the primary regulatory system that controls thirst and the actions of
ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS?
The hypothalamus
The pancreas
The adrenal cortex
The pituitary gland
2. A patient presents with low total calcium levels but normal ionized calcium
levels. What condition might this indicate, and what laboratory value should
be checked to confirm your suspicion?
Metabolic acidosis; bicarbonate levels
Hypercalcemia; potassium levels
Hypocalcemia; sodium levels
Pseudohypocalcemia; albumin levels
3. In ketoacidosis, the anion gap would most likely be affected in what way?
Unchanged from normal
Balanced
Decreased
Increased
,4. A patient is having a severe anxiety attack. Artertal blood gas results show
respiratory alkalosis. Which nursing intervention would help the patient
regain acid-base balance?
Place the patient in high Fowler's position
Give the patient a glass of orange juice
Have the patient rebreathe air from a paper bag
Administer nasal oxygen at 6 L/min
5. What happens in a dehydrated patient?
ADH levels increase and the RAAS is inactivated.
ADH levels decrease and the RAAS is inactivated.
ADH levels decrease and the RAAS is activated.
ADH levels increase and the RAAS is activated.
6. What laboratory result is commonly associated with pseudohypocalcemia?
High potassium levels
Low magnesium levels
Low albumin levels
High sodium levels
7. Which action is the function of ADH?
Reduces blood volume
Decreases water loss in urine
Initiates the thirst mechanism
Increases urine output
,8. A nurse is providing care for a patient who is breathing rapidly. As a result of
this elevated respiratory rate, the nurse expects the patient's body is
attempting to:
improve the buffering ability of bicarbonate.
retain carbon dioxide.
get rid of excess carbon dioxide.
produce more carbonic acid.
9. What is a common physical assessment finding associated with respiratory
acidosis?
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Hypoventilation
Hyperventilation
10. What is the term for the pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin, in
the blood?
Osmotic pressure
Hydrostatic pressure
Oncotic pressure
Blood pressure
11. If a patient presents with hyperphosphatemia and symptoms of muscle
cramps and tingling, what condition should the healthcare team consider
monitoring closely?
Metabolic acidosis
, Respiratory alkalosis
Hypocalcemia
Hyperkalemia
12. What substance is primarily responsible for regulating osmotic pressure in
the vascular system?
Albumin
Glucose
Sodium
Potassium
13. In a patient with heart failure, how might natriuresis be beneficial in their
treatment plan?
It can help reduce fluid overload and lower blood pressure.
It can lead to increased potassium levels in the blood.
It can increase sodium retention and worsen edema.
It can promote glucose production in the liver.
14. The nurse is caring for a client having respiratory distress related to an
anxiety attack. Recent arterial blood gas values are pH 7.53, Pco2
33mm/mg, HCO3 28mEq/L. What conclusion about the client should the
nurse make?
The client is fluid volume overloaded
The client is probably hyperventilating
The client is probably overreacting
The client has acidotic blood.
