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NSG120/ NSG 120 MIDTERM EXAM: NURSING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS| GRADE A| 100% CORRECT
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing Pathophysiology
Source: NSG 120 Midterm Exam
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale
1: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypocalcemia. Which
symptoms should the nurse expect based on the mnemonic CATS?
Correct Answer: C - Convulsions, A - Arrhythmias, T - Tetany/Trousseau's
sign/tingling, S - (mnemonic device only)
Rationale:
1. Hypocalcemia lowers the threshold for nerve and muscle excitability.
2. This leads to neurological and muscular symptoms including
convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, and tingling.
3. These signs are classic indicators of low calcium levels.
2: A nurse is monitoring a patient with hypercalcemia. Which findings
should the nurse anticipate based on the mnemonic MEDS?
Correct Answer: M - Muscle weakness, E - EKG changes, D - Dysrhythmias,
S - Stones
Rationale:
1. Hypercalcemia depresses neuromuscular activity and affects cardiac
and renal function.
2. Muscle weakness, EKG changes, dysrhythmias, and renal stones are key
clinical manifestations.
3. These reflect the systemic effects of elevated calcium.
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3: A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected hypomagnesemia.
Which symptoms does the mnemonic HAT represent?
Correct Answer: H - Headaches, A - Arrhythmias, T - Twitching
Rationale:
1. Magnesium is crucial for nerve conduction and cardiac rhythm.
2. Deficiency leads to neuromuscular irritability and cardiac
disturbances.
3. Headaches, arrhythmias, and twitching are common presenting
symptoms.
4: A nurse is assessing a patient with hypermagnesemia. Which
findings does the mnemonic RAD represent?
Correct Answer: R - Respiratory depression, A - Arrhythmias, D -
Decreased reflexes
Rationale:
1. Excess magnesium acts as a central nervous system depressant.
2. It impairs neuromuscular transmission and cardiac function.
3. Respiratory depression, arrhythmias, and decreased reflexes are critical
findings.
5: A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas results. What is the normal
pH range?
Correct Answer: 7.35-7.45
Rationale:
1. Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated.
2. A range of 7.35-7.45 maintains optimal physiological function.
3. Values outside this range indicate acidosis (<7.35) or alkalosis (>7.45).
6: A nurse is interpreting ABG results. What is the normal PaCO2
range?
Correct Answer: 35-45 mmHg
Rationale:
1. PaCO2 reflects the respiratory component of acid-base balance.
2. The normal range is 35-45 mmHg in arterial blood.
3. Levels above 45 indicate respiratory acidosis; below 35 indicate
respiratory alkalosis.
NSG120/ NSG 120 MIDTERM EXAM: NURSING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS| GRADE A| 100% CORRECT
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing Pathophysiology
Source: NSG 120 Midterm Exam
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale
1: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypocalcemia. Which
symptoms should the nurse expect based on the mnemonic CATS?
Correct Answer: C - Convulsions, A - Arrhythmias, T - Tetany/Trousseau's
sign/tingling, S - (mnemonic device only)
Rationale:
1. Hypocalcemia lowers the threshold for nerve and muscle excitability.
2. This leads to neurological and muscular symptoms including
convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, and tingling.
3. These signs are classic indicators of low calcium levels.
2: A nurse is monitoring a patient with hypercalcemia. Which findings
should the nurse anticipate based on the mnemonic MEDS?
Correct Answer: M - Muscle weakness, E - EKG changes, D - Dysrhythmias,
S - Stones
Rationale:
1. Hypercalcemia depresses neuromuscular activity and affects cardiac
and renal function.
2. Muscle weakness, EKG changes, dysrhythmias, and renal stones are key
clinical manifestations.
3. These reflect the systemic effects of elevated calcium.
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3: A nurse is caring for a patient with suspected hypomagnesemia.
Which symptoms does the mnemonic HAT represent?
Correct Answer: H - Headaches, A - Arrhythmias, T - Twitching
Rationale:
1. Magnesium is crucial for nerve conduction and cardiac rhythm.
2. Deficiency leads to neuromuscular irritability and cardiac
disturbances.
3. Headaches, arrhythmias, and twitching are common presenting
symptoms.
4: A nurse is assessing a patient with hypermagnesemia. Which
findings does the mnemonic RAD represent?
Correct Answer: R - Respiratory depression, A - Arrhythmias, D -
Decreased reflexes
Rationale:
1. Excess magnesium acts as a central nervous system depressant.
2. It impairs neuromuscular transmission and cardiac function.
3. Respiratory depression, arrhythmias, and decreased reflexes are critical
findings.
5: A nurse is reviewing arterial blood gas results. What is the normal
pH range?
Correct Answer: 7.35-7.45
Rationale:
1. Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated.
2. A range of 7.35-7.45 maintains optimal physiological function.
3. Values outside this range indicate acidosis (<7.35) or alkalosis (>7.45).
6: A nurse is interpreting ABG results. What is the normal PaCO2
range?
Correct Answer: 35-45 mmHg
Rationale:
1. PaCO2 reflects the respiratory component of acid-base balance.
2. The normal range is 35-45 mmHg in arterial blood.
3. Levels above 45 indicate respiratory acidosis; below 35 indicate
respiratory alkalosis.
