FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY PASSED
A patient with a history of alcohol abuse is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypomagnesemia
What would you expect to see in a patient with respiratory alkalosis?
✔✔ Tachypnea and lightheadedness
A nurse is caring for a patient with a sodium level of 120 mEq/L. What symptom should the
nurse expect to observe?
✔✔ Seizures and confusion
A patient with a serum calcium level of 4.5 mg/dL is at risk for what serious condition?
✔✔ Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures
A patient with kidney disease is likely to have an imbalance in which electrolytes?
✔✔ Hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia
1
,A nurse is caring for a patient with hypermagnesemia. Which of the following symptoms is most
concerning?
✔✔ Respiratory depression
A patient with dehydration is at risk for which of the following?
✔✔ Hypernatremia
A nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume excess. What should the nurse monitor closely?
✔✔ Respiratory status and for signs of pulmonary edema
A patient with hyperkalemia is likely to experience which type of arrhythmia?
✔✔ Ventricular fibrillation
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypomagnesemia. Which symptom is most likely to be
observed?
✔✔ Tremors and increased reflexes
2
,A patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L is at risk for which complication?
✔✔ Cardiac arrhythmias
A patient with fluid volume excess may present with which clinical signs?
✔✔ Jugular vein distention and crackles in the lungs
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving diuretics. What electrolyte imbalance is most commonly
caused by diuretic therapy?
✔✔ Hypokalemia
A patient is receiving sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis. What should the nurse
monitor?
✔✔ Serum pH and bicarbonate levels
A patient is presenting with symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Upon
assessment, the nurse suspects hypokalemia. What is the first intervention the nurse should
implement?
✔✔ Administer potassium supplements as prescribed.
3
, A patient with excessive fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
✔✔ Hyponatremia
A nurse is caring for a patient with fluid overload. What should the nurse prioritize when
assessing this patient?
✔✔ Monitor for signs of edema and pulmonary congestion.
What is a common cause of hypernatremia in patients?
✔✔ Excessive sodium intake or dehydration
A patient with hypocalcemia is at risk for which serious complication?
✔✔ Tetany or seizures
A patient is receiving IV fluids and is showing signs of edema, weight gain, and increased blood
pressure. Which imbalance is most likely?
✔✔ Hypervolemia
4
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY PASSED
A patient with a history of alcohol abuse is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
✔✔ Hypomagnesemia
What would you expect to see in a patient with respiratory alkalosis?
✔✔ Tachypnea and lightheadedness
A nurse is caring for a patient with a sodium level of 120 mEq/L. What symptom should the
nurse expect to observe?
✔✔ Seizures and confusion
A patient with a serum calcium level of 4.5 mg/dL is at risk for what serious condition?
✔✔ Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures
A patient with kidney disease is likely to have an imbalance in which electrolytes?
✔✔ Hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia
1
,A nurse is caring for a patient with hypermagnesemia. Which of the following symptoms is most
concerning?
✔✔ Respiratory depression
A patient with dehydration is at risk for which of the following?
✔✔ Hypernatremia
A nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume excess. What should the nurse monitor closely?
✔✔ Respiratory status and for signs of pulmonary edema
A patient with hyperkalemia is likely to experience which type of arrhythmia?
✔✔ Ventricular fibrillation
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypomagnesemia. Which symptom is most likely to be
observed?
✔✔ Tremors and increased reflexes
2
,A patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L is at risk for which complication?
✔✔ Cardiac arrhythmias
A patient with fluid volume excess may present with which clinical signs?
✔✔ Jugular vein distention and crackles in the lungs
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving diuretics. What electrolyte imbalance is most commonly
caused by diuretic therapy?
✔✔ Hypokalemia
A patient is receiving sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis. What should the nurse
monitor?
✔✔ Serum pH and bicarbonate levels
A patient is presenting with symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Upon
assessment, the nurse suspects hypokalemia. What is the first intervention the nurse should
implement?
✔✔ Administer potassium supplements as prescribed.
3
, A patient with excessive fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
✔✔ Hyponatremia
A nurse is caring for a patient with fluid overload. What should the nurse prioritize when
assessing this patient?
✔✔ Monitor for signs of edema and pulmonary congestion.
What is a common cause of hypernatremia in patients?
✔✔ Excessive sodium intake or dehydration
A patient with hypocalcemia is at risk for which serious complication?
✔✔ Tetany or seizures
A patient is receiving IV fluids and is showing signs of edema, weight gain, and increased blood
pressure. Which imbalance is most likely?
✔✔ Hypervolemia
4
