FLUID & ELECTROLYTE NCLEX
PRACTICE QUESTIONS EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
What is the nurse's primary concern regarding fluid &
electrolytes when caring for an elderly pt who is intermittently
confused?
1. risk of dehydration
2. risk of kidney damage
3. risk of stroke
4. risk of bleeding - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: As an adult ages, the thirst mechanism declines.
Adding this in a pt with an altered level of consciousness,
there is an increased risk of dehydration & high serum
osmolality.
Rationale 2: The risks for kidney damage are not specifically
related to aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 3: The risk of stroke is not specifically related to
aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 4: The risk of bleeding is not specifically related to
aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
,The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of
the following is this pt at risk for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid
within the cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular
fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
within the cell cytoplasm & nucleus. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished,
leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
outside the cell, including the interstitial fluid between the
cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
outside the cell, including the interstitial fluid between the
cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
,A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the
symptoms of tachycardia, pale, cool skin, & decreased urine
output. The nurse realizes these findings are most likely a
direct result of which of the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory
reactions within the body are responsible for the symptoms
exhibited. The body naturally attempts to conserve fluid
internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is
contraindicated.
Rationale 3: Rapidly infused intravenous fluids would not cause
a decrease in urine output.
Rationale 4: The manifestations reported are not indicative of
cardiac failure in this pt.
A pregnant pt is admitted with excessive thirst, increased
urination, & has a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. The
nurse chooses which of the following nursing diagnoses as most
appropriate?
, 1. Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
2. Excess Fluid Volume
3. Imbalanced Nutrition
4. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: The pt with excessive thirst, increased urination &
a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus is at risk for
Imbalanced Fluid Volume due to the pt &'s excess volume loss
that can increase the serum levels of sodium.
Rationale 2: Excess Fluid Volume is not an issue for pts with
diabetes insipidus, especially during the early stages of
treatment.
Rationale 3: Imbalanced Nutrition does not apply.
Rationale 4: Ineffective Tissue Perfusion does not apply
A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter.
The nurse would contact the pt's primary healthcare provider
with which of the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be
reported to the primary healthcare provider. This indicates
PRACTICE QUESTIONS EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
What is the nurse's primary concern regarding fluid &
electrolytes when caring for an elderly pt who is intermittently
confused?
1. risk of dehydration
2. risk of kidney damage
3. risk of stroke
4. risk of bleeding - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: As an adult ages, the thirst mechanism declines.
Adding this in a pt with an altered level of consciousness,
there is an increased risk of dehydration & high serum
osmolality.
Rationale 2: The risks for kidney damage are not specifically
related to aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 3: The risk of stroke is not specifically related to
aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
Rationale 4: The risk of bleeding is not specifically related to
aging or fluid & electrolyte issues.
,The nurse is planning care for a pt with severe burns. Which of
the following is this pt at risk for developing?
1. intracellular fluid deficit
2. intracellular fluid overload
3. extracellular fluid deficit
4. interstitial fluid deficit - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid
within the cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular
fluid deficit.
Rationale 2: The intracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
within the cell cytoplasm & nucleus. Because this pt was
severely burned, the fluid within the cells is diminished,
leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 3: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
outside the cell, including the interstitial fluid between the
cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
Rationale 4: The extracellular fluid is all fluids that exist
outside the cell, including the interstitial fluid between the
cells. Because this pt was severely burned, the fluid within the
cells is diminished, leading to an intracellular fluid deficit.
,A pt, experiencing multisystem fluid volume deficit, has the
symptoms of tachycardia, pale, cool skin, & decreased urine
output. The nurse realizes these findings are most likely a
direct result of which of the following?
1. the body's natural compensatory mechanisms
2. pharmacological effects of a diuretic
3. effects of rapidly infused intravenous fluids
4. cardiac failure - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: The internal vasoconstrictive compensatory
reactions within the body are responsible for the symptoms
exhibited. The body naturally attempts to conserve fluid
internally specifically for the brain & heart.
Rationale 2: A diuretic would cause further fluid loss, & is
contraindicated.
Rationale 3: Rapidly infused intravenous fluids would not cause
a decrease in urine output.
Rationale 4: The manifestations reported are not indicative of
cardiac failure in this pt.
A pregnant pt is admitted with excessive thirst, increased
urination, & has a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. The
nurse chooses which of the following nursing diagnoses as most
appropriate?
, 1. Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
2. Excess Fluid Volume
3. Imbalanced Nutrition
4. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: The pt with excessive thirst, increased urination &
a medical diagnosis of diabetes insipidus is at risk for
Imbalanced Fluid Volume due to the pt &'s excess volume loss
that can increase the serum levels of sodium.
Rationale 2: Excess Fluid Volume is not an issue for pts with
diabetes insipidus, especially during the early stages of
treatment.
Rationale 3: Imbalanced Nutrition does not apply.
Rationale 4: Ineffective Tissue Perfusion does not apply
A pt recovering from surgery has an indwelling urinary catheter.
The nurse would contact the pt's primary healthcare provider
with which of the following 24-hour urine output volumes?
1. 600 mL
2. 750 mL
3. 1000 mL
4. 1200 mL - CORRECT-ANSWERSAnswer: 1
Rationale 1: A urine output of less than 30 mL per hour must be
reported to the primary healthcare provider. This indicates
