ESTUDYR
NUR 1460 UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
GRADED A+ | ASSURED SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Which of the following is a common drug-related cause of hypokalemia?
A. Spironolactone
B. Loop diuretics
C. Potassium-sparing diuretics
D. ACE inhibitors
Answer: B. Loop diuretics
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) increase renal excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia.
Which endocrine disorder can lead to hypokalemia by promoting potassium excretion?
A. Addison’s disease
B. Cushing’s syndrome
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Pheochromocytoma
Answer: B. Cushing’s syndrome
Rationale: In Cushing’s syndrome, elevated cortisol acts like an aldosterone analogue, increasing urinary
potassium loss.
Excessive fluid intake can cause hypokalemia primarily by:
A. Increasing aldosterone secretion
B. Promoting gastrointestinal losses
C. Diluting serum potassium concentration
D. Triggering insulin release
Answer: C. Diluting serum potassium concentration
Rationale: Drinking large volumes of water dilutes serum potassium, contributing to hypokalemia.
Which of the following gastrointestinal losses is LEAST likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Prolonged vomiting
B. Diarrhea
C. NG suction
D. Constipation
Answer: D. Constipation
Rationale: Diarrhea, vomiting, and nasogastric suction all result in significant potassium loss;
constipation does not.
Which clinical manifestation is characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness and fatigue
,ESTUDYR
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia due to prolonged QT interval
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Muscle weakness and fatigue
Rationale: Hypokalemia impairs neuromuscular function, leading to weakness and fatigue.
A patient with hypokalemia is most likely to exhibit which respiratory change?
A. Shallow respirations
B. Increased tidal volumes
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Answer: A. Shallow respirations
Rationale: Hypokalemia can weaken respiratory muscles, resulting in shallow breathing.
Which ECG finding is MOST characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. PR interval shortening
D. Delta waves
Answer: B. U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia often produces U waves and flattened T waves on ECG.
Which of the following neurological signs may be seen in hypokalemia?
A. Hyperreflexia
B. Increased muscle tone
C. Lethargy
D. Hyperalertness
Answer: C. Lethargy
Rationale: Hypokalemia can depress central nervous system activity, causing lethargy.
When correcting hypokalemia, why is it important to check magnesium levels?
A. Magnesium competes with calcium for binding sites
B. Low magnesium impairs cellular uptake of potassium
C. Magnesium directly increases urinary potassium excretion
D. Magnesium antagonizes sodium retention
Answer: B. Low magnesium impairs cellular uptake of potassium
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia must be corrected to allow effective potassium repletion.
Why should potassium NEVER be administered via IV push in hypokalemia?
A. It causes immediate diuresis
,ESTUDYR
B. It can induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias
C. It precipitates in the tubing
D. It causes severe pain at the injection site
Answer: B. It can induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias
Rationale: Rapid IV bolus of potassium can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest.
What is the recommended infusion rate when administering IV potassium chloride for
hypokalemia?
A. 100 mEq in 500 mL over 2 hours (50 mEq/hr)
B. 10 mEq in 100 mL over 8 hours (1.25 mEq/hr)
C. 20 mEq in 1 L over 10 hours (2 mEq/hr)
D. 40 mEq in 250 mL over 2 hours (20 mEq/hr)
Answer: C. 20 mEq in 1 L over 10 hours (2 mEq/hr)
Rationale: A common safe rate is 10–20 mEq per liter infused at 10 mL/hr (2 mEq/hr) to avoid
arrhythmias.
Which of these foods is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. White bread
Answer: C. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are well known for their high potassium content (about 400 mg per medium
banana).
Which laxative use can contribute to hypokalemia?
A. Bisacodyl (stimulant laxative)
B. Psyllium (bulk-forming laxative)
C. Docusate sodium (stool softener)
D. Polyethylene glycol (osmotic laxative)
Answer: A. Bisacodyl (stimulant laxative)
Rationale: Stimulant laxatives accelerate transit and lead to increased potassium loss in stool.
In hypokalemia, why is “watching other electrolytes” emphasized?
A. Potassium infusion lowers calcium levels
B. Sodium supplementation is contraindicated
C. Hypomagnesemia often coexists and hinders potassium repletion
D. Elevated phosphate impairs K⁺ absorption
Answer: C. Hypomagnesemia often coexists and hinders potassium repletion
Rationale: Correcting magnesium is crucial, as low Mg prevents intracellular K⁺ uptake.
, ESTUDYR
Which endocrine abnormality causes a shift of potassium into cells and thereby contributes to
hypokalemia?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypoparathyroidism
C. Alkalosis
D. Diabetes mellitus
Answer: C. Alkalosis
Rationale: In alkalosis, H⁺ shifts out of cells and K⁺ shifts in, dropping serum K⁺ levels.
Which heavy fluid loss source is most likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pericardial tamponade
C. Diarrhea
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Diarrhea
Rationale: Diarrhea causes significant gastrointestinal potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
Which of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of hypokalemia?
A. Arrhythmias (e.g., U waves)
B. Muscle weakness
C. Lethargy
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes decreased bowel motility and diminished, not hyperactive, bowel
sounds.
Which arrhythmia is MOST associated with hypokalemia?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia with U waves
C. Sinus bradycardia without U waves
D. Torsades de pointes
Answer: B. Ventricular tachycardia with U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia predisposes to ventricular ectopy and U waves on ECG, potentially leading to
VT.
Which arterial blood gas finding is consistent with hypokalemia?
A. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 22 mEq/L
B. pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 28 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 12 mEq/L
NUR 1460 UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
GRADED A+ | ASSURED SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Which of the following is a common drug-related cause of hypokalemia?
A. Spironolactone
B. Loop diuretics
C. Potassium-sparing diuretics
D. ACE inhibitors
Answer: B. Loop diuretics
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) increase renal excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia.
Which endocrine disorder can lead to hypokalemia by promoting potassium excretion?
A. Addison’s disease
B. Cushing’s syndrome
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Pheochromocytoma
Answer: B. Cushing’s syndrome
Rationale: In Cushing’s syndrome, elevated cortisol acts like an aldosterone analogue, increasing urinary
potassium loss.
Excessive fluid intake can cause hypokalemia primarily by:
A. Increasing aldosterone secretion
B. Promoting gastrointestinal losses
C. Diluting serum potassium concentration
D. Triggering insulin release
Answer: C. Diluting serum potassium concentration
Rationale: Drinking large volumes of water dilutes serum potassium, contributing to hypokalemia.
Which of the following gastrointestinal losses is LEAST likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Prolonged vomiting
B. Diarrhea
C. NG suction
D. Constipation
Answer: D. Constipation
Rationale: Diarrhea, vomiting, and nasogastric suction all result in significant potassium loss;
constipation does not.
Which clinical manifestation is characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness and fatigue
,ESTUDYR
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia due to prolonged QT interval
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Muscle weakness and fatigue
Rationale: Hypokalemia impairs neuromuscular function, leading to weakness and fatigue.
A patient with hypokalemia is most likely to exhibit which respiratory change?
A. Shallow respirations
B. Increased tidal volumes
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Answer: A. Shallow respirations
Rationale: Hypokalemia can weaken respiratory muscles, resulting in shallow breathing.
Which ECG finding is MOST characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. PR interval shortening
D. Delta waves
Answer: B. U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia often produces U waves and flattened T waves on ECG.
Which of the following neurological signs may be seen in hypokalemia?
A. Hyperreflexia
B. Increased muscle tone
C. Lethargy
D. Hyperalertness
Answer: C. Lethargy
Rationale: Hypokalemia can depress central nervous system activity, causing lethargy.
When correcting hypokalemia, why is it important to check magnesium levels?
A. Magnesium competes with calcium for binding sites
B. Low magnesium impairs cellular uptake of potassium
C. Magnesium directly increases urinary potassium excretion
D. Magnesium antagonizes sodium retention
Answer: B. Low magnesium impairs cellular uptake of potassium
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia must be corrected to allow effective potassium repletion.
Why should potassium NEVER be administered via IV push in hypokalemia?
A. It causes immediate diuresis
,ESTUDYR
B. It can induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias
C. It precipitates in the tubing
D. It causes severe pain at the injection site
Answer: B. It can induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias
Rationale: Rapid IV bolus of potassium can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest.
What is the recommended infusion rate when administering IV potassium chloride for
hypokalemia?
A. 100 mEq in 500 mL over 2 hours (50 mEq/hr)
B. 10 mEq in 100 mL over 8 hours (1.25 mEq/hr)
C. 20 mEq in 1 L over 10 hours (2 mEq/hr)
D. 40 mEq in 250 mL over 2 hours (20 mEq/hr)
Answer: C. 20 mEq in 1 L over 10 hours (2 mEq/hr)
Rationale: A common safe rate is 10–20 mEq per liter infused at 10 mL/hr (2 mEq/hr) to avoid
arrhythmias.
Which of these foods is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. White bread
Answer: C. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are well known for their high potassium content (about 400 mg per medium
banana).
Which laxative use can contribute to hypokalemia?
A. Bisacodyl (stimulant laxative)
B. Psyllium (bulk-forming laxative)
C. Docusate sodium (stool softener)
D. Polyethylene glycol (osmotic laxative)
Answer: A. Bisacodyl (stimulant laxative)
Rationale: Stimulant laxatives accelerate transit and lead to increased potassium loss in stool.
In hypokalemia, why is “watching other electrolytes” emphasized?
A. Potassium infusion lowers calcium levels
B. Sodium supplementation is contraindicated
C. Hypomagnesemia often coexists and hinders potassium repletion
D. Elevated phosphate impairs K⁺ absorption
Answer: C. Hypomagnesemia often coexists and hinders potassium repletion
Rationale: Correcting magnesium is crucial, as low Mg prevents intracellular K⁺ uptake.
, ESTUDYR
Which endocrine abnormality causes a shift of potassium into cells and thereby contributes to
hypokalemia?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypoparathyroidism
C. Alkalosis
D. Diabetes mellitus
Answer: C. Alkalosis
Rationale: In alkalosis, H⁺ shifts out of cells and K⁺ shifts in, dropping serum K⁺ levels.
Which heavy fluid loss source is most likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pericardial tamponade
C. Diarrhea
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Diarrhea
Rationale: Diarrhea causes significant gastrointestinal potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
Which of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of hypokalemia?
A. Arrhythmias (e.g., U waves)
B. Muscle weakness
C. Lethargy
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes decreased bowel motility and diminished, not hyperactive, bowel
sounds.
Which arrhythmia is MOST associated with hypokalemia?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia with U waves
C. Sinus bradycardia without U waves
D. Torsades de pointes
Answer: B. Ventricular tachycardia with U waves
Rationale: Hypokalemia predisposes to ventricular ectopy and U waves on ECG, potentially leading to
VT.
Which arterial blood gas finding is consistent with hypokalemia?
A. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 22 mEq/L
B. pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
C. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 28 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 12 mEq/L
