NSG 122 Exam 3 V2 | NSG 122 Nursing
Fundamental Concepts | Herzing | 2026
Q&A with Rationale (Herzing NSG122
Exam 3 2026)
1. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, indicating acidosis. The
PaCO2 is elevated above the normal limit of 45 mmHg, which points toward a respiratory
cause. Because the bicarbonate level is within the normal range, the client is experiencing
uncompensated respiratory acidosis commonly seen in COPD patients due to
hypoventilation.
2. A client is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following
cardiac rhythm changes should the nurse expect to see on the ECG monitor?
A. ST-segment depression
,B. Prominent U-waves
C. Tall, peaked T-waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L
and can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Tall, peaked T-waves are a classic
early sign of high potassium levels affecting myocardial repolarization. The nurse must
monitor the client closely for further changes such as widened QRS complexes or cardiac
arrest.
3. When assessing a client with fluid volume deficit, which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Full, bounding pulses
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit, or dehydration, leads to a decrease in circulating blood
volume. Orthostatic hypotension occurs because there is insufficient intravascular volume
, to maintain blood pressure when the client changes position. Other signs include poor skin
turgor, dry mucous membranes, and tachycardia.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative and has a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain.
Which action by the nurse ensures the drain is functioning correctly?
A. Leaving the bulb inflated to allow gravity drainage
B. Compressing the bulb after emptying to maintain suction
C. Keeping the drain higher than the level of the wound
D. Emptying the drain only when it is completely full
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Jackson-Pratt drain is a closed-suction device that relies on negative pressure
to pull fluid from the wound. To maintain this suction, the nurse must compress the bulb
after emptying it and before closing the port. If the bulb is not compressed, the drain will
only collect fluid via gravity, which is less effective for this specific device.
5. A client has a prescription for 0.45% sodium chloride to be infused intravenously. The nurse
recognizes this solution as being in which category?
A. Hypotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Isotonic
D. Colloid
Fundamental Concepts | Herzing | 2026
Q&A with Rationale (Herzing NSG122
Exam 3 2026)
1. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, indicating acidosis. The
PaCO2 is elevated above the normal limit of 45 mmHg, which points toward a respiratory
cause. Because the bicarbonate level is within the normal range, the client is experiencing
uncompensated respiratory acidosis commonly seen in COPD patients due to
hypoventilation.
2. A client is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the following
cardiac rhythm changes should the nurse expect to see on the ECG monitor?
A. ST-segment depression
,B. Prominent U-waves
C. Tall, peaked T-waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L
and can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Tall, peaked T-waves are a classic
early sign of high potassium levels affecting myocardial repolarization. The nurse must
monitor the client closely for further changes such as widened QRS complexes or cardiac
arrest.
3. When assessing a client with fluid volume deficit, which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Full, bounding pulses
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit, or dehydration, leads to a decrease in circulating blood
volume. Orthostatic hypotension occurs because there is insufficient intravascular volume
, to maintain blood pressure when the client changes position. Other signs include poor skin
turgor, dry mucous membranes, and tachycardia.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative and has a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain.
Which action by the nurse ensures the drain is functioning correctly?
A. Leaving the bulb inflated to allow gravity drainage
B. Compressing the bulb after emptying to maintain suction
C. Keeping the drain higher than the level of the wound
D. Emptying the drain only when it is completely full
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Jackson-Pratt drain is a closed-suction device that relies on negative pressure
to pull fluid from the wound. To maintain this suction, the nurse must compress the bulb
after emptying it and before closing the port. If the bulb is not compressed, the drain will
only collect fluid via gravity, which is less effective for this specific device.
5. A client has a prescription for 0.45% sodium chloride to be infused intravenously. The nurse
recognizes this solution as being in which category?
A. Hypotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Isotonic
D. Colloid
