,NU 131 — Exam 2 Comprehensive
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026
Edition
1. Which of the following best describes the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane?
A) Osmosis
B) Diffusion
C) Active transport
D) Filtration
Correct Answer: Osmosis
Rationale: Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a membrane to equalize solute
concentrations. Diffusion moves solutes, not water. Active transport requires energy. Filtration is driven
by hydrostatic pressure.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse anticipate?
A) Peaked T waves
B) Widened QRS complex
C) U wave and flattened T wave
D) Shortened QT interval
Correct Answer: U wave and flattened T wave
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes a U wave, flattened or inverted T waves, and ST segment depression.
Peaked T waves and widened QRS are associated with hyperkalemia.
,3. A patient is receiving 3% sodium chloride for severe hyponatremia. The nurse should monitor for
which complication of rapid correction?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Pulmonary edema and osmotic demyelination syndrome
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Pulmonary edema and osmotic demyelination syndrome
Rationale: Overly rapid correction of hyponatremia can cause osmotic demyelination (central pontine
myelinolysis), a severe neurological condition. Pulmonary edema from fluid shifts is also a risk.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected fluid volume deficit. Which finding best supports this
diagnosis?
A) Jugular venous distention
B) Orthostatic hypotension and dry mucous membranes
C) Peripheral edema
D) Crackles in the lung bases
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases vascular volume, leading to orthostatic hypotension, dry
mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and concentrated urine. The other findings suggest fluid
overload.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH of 7.32, PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24
mEq/L?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
, Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The low pH indicates acidosis. Elevated PaCO₂ (normal 35-45) points to a respiratory cause.
Normal HCO₃⁻ means no metabolic compensation yet.
6. The nurse is evaluating a patient's arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. This indicates
A) respiratory alkalosis
B) respiratory acidosis
C) metabolic alkalosis
D) metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: pH is high (alkalosis). PaCO₂ is low (alkalotic direction). HCO₃⁻ is normal, so the respiratory
system is the cause. Hyperventilation leads to this picture.
7. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is likely to present with which acid-base disturbance?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: DKA produces ketone bodies, increasing the acid load and causing metabolic acidosis with a
compensatory respiratory response (Kussmaul respirations) to lower PaCO₂.
Questions & Verified Answers | 2026
Edition
1. Which of the following best describes the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane?
A) Osmosis
B) Diffusion
C) Active transport
D) Filtration
Correct Answer: Osmosis
Rationale: Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a membrane to equalize solute
concentrations. Diffusion moves solutes, not water. Active transport requires energy. Filtration is driven
by hydrostatic pressure.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse anticipate?
A) Peaked T waves
B) Widened QRS complex
C) U wave and flattened T wave
D) Shortened QT interval
Correct Answer: U wave and flattened T wave
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes a U wave, flattened or inverted T waves, and ST segment depression.
Peaked T waves and widened QRS are associated with hyperkalemia.
,3. A patient is receiving 3% sodium chloride for severe hyponatremia. The nurse should monitor for
which complication of rapid correction?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Pulmonary edema and osmotic demyelination syndrome
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Pulmonary edema and osmotic demyelination syndrome
Rationale: Overly rapid correction of hyponatremia can cause osmotic demyelination (central pontine
myelinolysis), a severe neurological condition. Pulmonary edema from fluid shifts is also a risk.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected fluid volume deficit. Which finding best supports this
diagnosis?
A) Jugular venous distention
B) Orthostatic hypotension and dry mucous membranes
C) Peripheral edema
D) Crackles in the lung bases
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit decreases vascular volume, leading to orthostatic hypotension, dry
mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and concentrated urine. The other findings suggest fluid
overload.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH of 7.32, PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24
mEq/L?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
, Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The low pH indicates acidosis. Elevated PaCO₂ (normal 35-45) points to a respiratory cause.
Normal HCO₃⁻ means no metabolic compensation yet.
6. The nurse is evaluating a patient's arterial blood gas results: pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 32 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. This indicates
A) respiratory alkalosis
B) respiratory acidosis
C) metabolic alkalosis
D) metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: pH is high (alkalosis). PaCO₂ is low (alkalotic direction). HCO₃⁻ is normal, so the respiratory
system is the cause. Hyperventilation leads to this picture.
7. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is likely to present with which acid-base disturbance?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: DKA produces ketone bodies, increasing the acid load and causing metabolic acidosis with a
compensatory respiratory response (Kussmaul respirations) to lower PaCO₂.
