Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials
of Pathophysiology Final Exam Review Study
Guide (Latest ) Rasmussen
Section 1: Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances (Questions 1–
10)
1. What is a clinical manifestation of hypokalemia?
A. Muscle cramps and weakness
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Muscle cramps and weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) causes muscle cramps, weakness, and
arrhythmias due to impaired muscle and nerve function.
2. What are causes of hypernatremia? (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive water loss
B. Inadequate sodium intake
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Excessive sodium intake
E. Increased fluid intake
Answer: Excessive water loss, Diabetes insipidus, Excessive sodium intake
Rationale: Hypernatremia results from excessive water loss (e.g., dehydration), diabetes
insipidus (water loss), or excessive sodium intake. Inadequate sodium intake causes
hyponatremia, and increased fluid intake dilutes sodium.
3. What is a nursing intervention for a patient with hyperkalemia?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Monitor ECG for peaked T waves
C. Encourage high-potassium foods
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: Monitor ECG for peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, indicated by peaked T waves on
ECG, requiring close monitoring.
4. What is a symptom of hyponatremia?
A. Seizures
, B. Dry skin
C. Increased thirst
D. Weight loss
Answer: Seizures
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause neurological symptoms like seizures
due to cerebral edema.
5. What is a cause of hypocalcemia?
A. Hyperparathyroidism
B. Vitamin D deficiency
C. Excessive dairy intake
D. Increased phosphate levels
Answer: Vitamin D deficiency
Rationale: Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium absorption, leading to hypocalcemia.
6. What is a clinical manifestation of hypercalcemia?
A. Tetany
B. Constipation
C. Muscle spasms
D. Increased reflexes
Answer: Constipation
Rationale: Hypercalcemia slows gastrointestinal motility, causing constipation, and can
also cause fatigue and confusion.
7. What electrolyte imbalance is associated with diuretic use?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Diuretics, especially loop and thiazide diuretics, increase potassium excretion,
leading to hypokalemia.
8. What should a nurse monitor in a patient with fluid volume deficit? (Select all that
apply)
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased heart rate
C. Weight gain
D. Poor skin turgor
E. Hypotension
of Pathophysiology Final Exam Review Study
Guide (Latest ) Rasmussen
Section 1: Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances (Questions 1–
10)
1. What is a clinical manifestation of hypokalemia?
A. Muscle cramps and weakness
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Muscle cramps and weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) causes muscle cramps, weakness, and
arrhythmias due to impaired muscle and nerve function.
2. What are causes of hypernatremia? (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive water loss
B. Inadequate sodium intake
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Excessive sodium intake
E. Increased fluid intake
Answer: Excessive water loss, Diabetes insipidus, Excessive sodium intake
Rationale: Hypernatremia results from excessive water loss (e.g., dehydration), diabetes
insipidus (water loss), or excessive sodium intake. Inadequate sodium intake causes
hyponatremia, and increased fluid intake dilutes sodium.
3. What is a nursing intervention for a patient with hyperkalemia?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Monitor ECG for peaked T waves
C. Encourage high-potassium foods
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: Monitor ECG for peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, indicated by peaked T waves on
ECG, requiring close monitoring.
4. What is a symptom of hyponatremia?
A. Seizures
, B. Dry skin
C. Increased thirst
D. Weight loss
Answer: Seizures
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause neurological symptoms like seizures
due to cerebral edema.
5. What is a cause of hypocalcemia?
A. Hyperparathyroidism
B. Vitamin D deficiency
C. Excessive dairy intake
D. Increased phosphate levels
Answer: Vitamin D deficiency
Rationale: Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium absorption, leading to hypocalcemia.
6. What is a clinical manifestation of hypercalcemia?
A. Tetany
B. Constipation
C. Muscle spasms
D. Increased reflexes
Answer: Constipation
Rationale: Hypercalcemia slows gastrointestinal motility, causing constipation, and can
also cause fatigue and confusion.
7. What electrolyte imbalance is associated with diuretic use?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Diuretics, especially loop and thiazide diuretics, increase potassium excretion,
leading to hypokalemia.
8. What should a nurse monitor in a patient with fluid volume deficit? (Select all that
apply)
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased heart rate
C. Weight gain
D. Poor skin turgor
E. Hypotension
