NR-324 & NR-325 ADULT HEALTH I & II | CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY | COMPLETE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | LATEST 2026/2027 VERSION (PASS
GUARANTEE)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Hyperactive bowel sounds B. U waves on ECG C. Increased
deep tendon reflexes D. Tachycardia ANSWER : B. U waves on ECG are a
classic finding in hypokalemia.
2. A client has a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is
priority? A. Restrict fluid intake B. Monitor for seizures C. Administer
hypertonic saline D. Encourage salt intake ANSWER : B. Severe hyponatremia
can cause seizures due to cerebral edema.
3. Which ECG change indicates hyperkalemia? A. Peaked T waves B. Flattened
T waves C. Prolonged QT interval D. ST-segment elevation ANSWER : A.
Peaked T waves are an early sign of hyperkalemia.
4. A client with metabolic acidosis will have which arterial blood gas values?
A. pH 7.32, HCO3 18, PaCO2 38 B. pH 7.48, HCO3 30, PaCO2 42 C. pH 7.35,
HCO3 24, PaCO2 40 D. pH 7.50, HCO3 22, PaCO2 30 ANSWER : A. Low pH with
low bicarbonate indicates metabolic acidosis.
5. Which condition causes respiratory alkalosis? A. COPD exacerbation B.
Hyperventilation C. Diabetic ketoacidosis D. Renal failure ANSWER : B.
Hyperventilation blows off CO2, causing respiratory alkalosis.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with hypocalcemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Positive Chvostek's sign B. Decreased QT interval C.
Hyperactive reflexes D. All of the above ANSWER : D. All are signs of
hypocalcemia.
7. Which IV solution is isotonic? A. 0.45% NaCl B. D5W C. 0.9% NaCl D. 3%
NaCl ANSWER : C. 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is isotonic.
,8. A client with hypernatremia is at risk for which complication? A. Cerebral
edema B. Seizures C. Fluid volume excess D. All of the above ANSWER : B.
Hypernatremia can cause seizures due to cellular dehydration.
9. Which laboratory value indicates metabolic alkalosis? A. Decreased HCO3
B. Increased HCO3 C. Decreased PaCO2 D. Increased PaCO2 ANSWER : B.
Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by increased HCO3.
10. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving magnesium sulfate. Which finding
indicates toxicity? A. Decreased deep tendon reflexes B. Increased urine
output C. Tachycardia D. Hyperactive bowel sounds ANSWER : A. Loss of deep
tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity.
11. Which condition is associated with hypomagnesemia? A. Hypokalemia B.
Hypercalcemia C. Hyponatremia D. Hypernatremia ANSWER : A.
Hypomagnesemia often coexists with hypokalemia.
12. A client has a serum phosphorus of 1.5 mg/dL. Which nursing action is
priority? A. Administer phosphate supplements B. Monitor for respiratory
failure C. Restrict calcium intake D. Encourage dairy products ANSWER : B.
Severe hypophosphatemia can cause respiratory muscle weakness.
13. Which acid-base imbalance is caused by prolonged vomiting? A.
Metabolic acidosis B. Metabolic alkalosis C. Respiratory acidosis D. Respiratory
alkalosis ANSWER : B. Loss of gastric acid (HCl) causes metabolic alkalosis.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which ABG
result is expected? A. pH 7.30, HCO3 15, PaCO2 28 B. pH 7.45, HCO3 24,
PaCO2 40 C. pH 7.50, HCO3 32, PaCO2 48 D. pH 7.35, HCO3 22, PaCO2 38
ANSWER : A. DKA causes metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation.
15. Which electrolyte imbalance causes tall, peaked T waves on ECG? A.
Hypokalemia B. Hyperkalemia C. Hypocalcemia D. Hypercalcemia ANSWER : B.
Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves.
16. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely? A. Hyperkalemia B. Hypokalemia C.
Hypernatremia D. Hypercalcemia ANSWER : B. Loop diuretics cause potassium
wasting.
17. Which clinical manifestation indicates fluid volume excess? A. Decreased
blood pressure B. Weight gain C. Poor skin turgor D. Dry mucous membranes
ANSWER : B. Weight gain is a sign of fluid volume excess.
, 18. A nurse is assessing a client with hypovolemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Bounding pulses B. Jugular vein distention C. Tachycardia D.
Hypertension ANSWER : C. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism for
hypovolemia.
19. Which IV solution is hypertonic? A. Lactated Ringer's B. 0.45% NaCl C.
D5W D. D5NS ANSWER : D. D5NS is hypertonic due to the dextrose and saline
combination.
20. A client with COPD is at risk for which acid-base imbalance? A.
Respiratory alkalosis B. Respiratory acidosis C. Metabolic alkalosis D. Metabolic
acidosis ANSWER : B. COPD causes CO2 retention, leading to respiratory
acidosis.
21. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with metabolic
acidosis? A. Administer sodium bicarbonate B. Increase respiratory rate C.
Restrict fluid intake D. Administer potassium supplements ANSWER : A.
Sodium bicarbonate may be given to correct severe metabolic acidosis.
22. A client has a serum calcium of 6.5 mg/dL. Which finding should the nurse
expect? A. Positive Trousseau's sign B. Shortened QT interval C. Constipation
D. Decreased neuromuscular irritability ANSWER : A. Trousseau's sign (carpal
spasm) indicates hypocalcemia.
23. Which condition causes dilutional hyponatremia? A. Dehydration B.
SIADH C. Diabetes insipidus D. Hyperaldosteronism ANSWER : B. SIADH causes
water retention, diluting sodium.
24. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving potassium chloride IV. Which
action is essential? A. Administer via rapid IV push B. Use a central line only C.
Monitor cardiac rhythm D. Administer with dextrose ANSWER : C. Cardiac
monitoring is essential due to risk of arrhythmias.
25. Which ABG result indicates partially compensated respiratory acidosis? A.
pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26 B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30 C. pH 7.40, PaCO2
45, HCO3 24 D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 35, HCO3 22 ANSWER : B. pH is normalizing
with elevated PaCO2 and compensatory elevated HCO3.
SECTION 2: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (Questions 26-65)
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | LATEST 2026/2027 VERSION (PASS
GUARANTEE)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Hyperactive bowel sounds B. U waves on ECG C. Increased
deep tendon reflexes D. Tachycardia ANSWER : B. U waves on ECG are a
classic finding in hypokalemia.
2. A client has a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention is
priority? A. Restrict fluid intake B. Monitor for seizures C. Administer
hypertonic saline D. Encourage salt intake ANSWER : B. Severe hyponatremia
can cause seizures due to cerebral edema.
3. Which ECG change indicates hyperkalemia? A. Peaked T waves B. Flattened
T waves C. Prolonged QT interval D. ST-segment elevation ANSWER : A.
Peaked T waves are an early sign of hyperkalemia.
4. A client with metabolic acidosis will have which arterial blood gas values?
A. pH 7.32, HCO3 18, PaCO2 38 B. pH 7.48, HCO3 30, PaCO2 42 C. pH 7.35,
HCO3 24, PaCO2 40 D. pH 7.50, HCO3 22, PaCO2 30 ANSWER : A. Low pH with
low bicarbonate indicates metabolic acidosis.
5. Which condition causes respiratory alkalosis? A. COPD exacerbation B.
Hyperventilation C. Diabetic ketoacidosis D. Renal failure ANSWER : B.
Hyperventilation blows off CO2, causing respiratory alkalosis.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with hypocalcemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Positive Chvostek's sign B. Decreased QT interval C.
Hyperactive reflexes D. All of the above ANSWER : D. All are signs of
hypocalcemia.
7. Which IV solution is isotonic? A. 0.45% NaCl B. D5W C. 0.9% NaCl D. 3%
NaCl ANSWER : C. 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) is isotonic.
,8. A client with hypernatremia is at risk for which complication? A. Cerebral
edema B. Seizures C. Fluid volume excess D. All of the above ANSWER : B.
Hypernatremia can cause seizures due to cellular dehydration.
9. Which laboratory value indicates metabolic alkalosis? A. Decreased HCO3
B. Increased HCO3 C. Decreased PaCO2 D. Increased PaCO2 ANSWER : B.
Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by increased HCO3.
10. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving magnesium sulfate. Which finding
indicates toxicity? A. Decreased deep tendon reflexes B. Increased urine
output C. Tachycardia D. Hyperactive bowel sounds ANSWER : A. Loss of deep
tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity.
11. Which condition is associated with hypomagnesemia? A. Hypokalemia B.
Hypercalcemia C. Hyponatremia D. Hypernatremia ANSWER : A.
Hypomagnesemia often coexists with hypokalemia.
12. A client has a serum phosphorus of 1.5 mg/dL. Which nursing action is
priority? A. Administer phosphate supplements B. Monitor for respiratory
failure C. Restrict calcium intake D. Encourage dairy products ANSWER : B.
Severe hypophosphatemia can cause respiratory muscle weakness.
13. Which acid-base imbalance is caused by prolonged vomiting? A.
Metabolic acidosis B. Metabolic alkalosis C. Respiratory acidosis D. Respiratory
alkalosis ANSWER : B. Loss of gastric acid (HCl) causes metabolic alkalosis.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which ABG
result is expected? A. pH 7.30, HCO3 15, PaCO2 28 B. pH 7.45, HCO3 24,
PaCO2 40 C. pH 7.50, HCO3 32, PaCO2 48 D. pH 7.35, HCO3 22, PaCO2 38
ANSWER : A. DKA causes metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation.
15. Which electrolyte imbalance causes tall, peaked T waves on ECG? A.
Hypokalemia B. Hyperkalemia C. Hypocalcemia D. Hypercalcemia ANSWER : B.
Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves.
16. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely? A. Hyperkalemia B. Hypokalemia C.
Hypernatremia D. Hypercalcemia ANSWER : B. Loop diuretics cause potassium
wasting.
17. Which clinical manifestation indicates fluid volume excess? A. Decreased
blood pressure B. Weight gain C. Poor skin turgor D. Dry mucous membranes
ANSWER : B. Weight gain is a sign of fluid volume excess.
, 18. A nurse is assessing a client with hypovolemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect? A. Bounding pulses B. Jugular vein distention C. Tachycardia D.
Hypertension ANSWER : C. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism for
hypovolemia.
19. Which IV solution is hypertonic? A. Lactated Ringer's B. 0.45% NaCl C.
D5W D. D5NS ANSWER : D. D5NS is hypertonic due to the dextrose and saline
combination.
20. A client with COPD is at risk for which acid-base imbalance? A.
Respiratory alkalosis B. Respiratory acidosis C. Metabolic alkalosis D. Metabolic
acidosis ANSWER : B. COPD causes CO2 retention, leading to respiratory
acidosis.
21. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with metabolic
acidosis? A. Administer sodium bicarbonate B. Increase respiratory rate C.
Restrict fluid intake D. Administer potassium supplements ANSWER : A.
Sodium bicarbonate may be given to correct severe metabolic acidosis.
22. A client has a serum calcium of 6.5 mg/dL. Which finding should the nurse
expect? A. Positive Trousseau's sign B. Shortened QT interval C. Constipation
D. Decreased neuromuscular irritability ANSWER : A. Trousseau's sign (carpal
spasm) indicates hypocalcemia.
23. Which condition causes dilutional hyponatremia? A. Dehydration B.
SIADH C. Diabetes insipidus D. Hyperaldosteronism ANSWER : B. SIADH causes
water retention, diluting sodium.
24. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving potassium chloride IV. Which
action is essential? A. Administer via rapid IV push B. Use a central line only C.
Monitor cardiac rhythm D. Administer with dextrose ANSWER : C. Cardiac
monitoring is essential due to risk of arrhythmias.
25. Which ABG result indicates partially compensated respiratory acidosis? A.
pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26 B. pH 7.35, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30 C. pH 7.40, PaCO2
45, HCO3 24 D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 35, HCO3 22 ANSWER : B. pH is normalizing
with elevated PaCO2 and compensatory elevated HCO3.
SECTION 2: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (Questions 26-65)
