NSG 300 Exam 3 (PDF) | (2026/2027) |
Foundations of Nursing | Grand Canyon
University 200 Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is
most consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Jugular vein distension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C) Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a sign of dehydration.
Bounding pulse, JVD, and edema are signs of fluid overload.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
,B) Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
D) Crackles in lung bases
Answer: C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
Rationale: In dehydration, urine specific gravity is elevated (>1.025)
due to concentrated urine. Weight loss, hypotension, and tachycardia
are also expected.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of fluid volume excess. Which
finding is most consistent with fluid overload?
A) Thready pulse
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Poor skin turgor
Answer: C) Jugular vein distension
Rationale: Jugular vein distension (JVD) indicates increased central
venous pressure from fluid overload. Other signs include edema,
crackles, and hypertension.
4. The nurse is calculating a patient's intake and output. Which fluid should
be included as intake?
,A) IV fluids
B) Oral fluids
C) Tube feedings
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Intake includes all fluids that enter the body: oral, IV, tube
feedings, and irrigations (if absorbed).
5. The nurse is monitoring a patient's daily weight. A weight gain of how
many pounds in 24 hours may indicate fluid retention?
A) 0.5 lb
B) 1 lb
C) 2 lb
D) 3 lb
Answer: C) 2 lb
Rationale: A weight gain of 2-3 lb in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week indicates
significant fluid retention (1 L of fluid weighs approximately 2.2 lb).
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with hyponatremia (sodium 125 mEq/L).
Which finding would the nurse expect?
, A) Thirst
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Confusion and lethargy
D) Hyperreflexia
Answer: C) Confusion and lethargy
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes neurological symptoms due to
cerebral edema: confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Thirst and
dry mucous membranes occur with hypernatremia.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia (sodium 155 mEq/L).
Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Lethargy
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, leading to
intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, and neurological symptoms
(agitation, seizures).
Foundations of Nursing | Grand Canyon
University 200 Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Section 1: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is
most consistent with dehydration?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Jugular vein distension
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: C) Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor (tenting) is a sign of dehydration.
Bounding pulse, JVD, and edema are signs of fluid overload.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
,B) Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
D) Crackles in lung bases
Answer: C) Urine specific gravity 1.030
Rationale: In dehydration, urine specific gravity is elevated (>1.025)
due to concentrated urine. Weight loss, hypotension, and tachycardia
are also expected.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of fluid volume excess. Which
finding is most consistent with fluid overload?
A) Thready pulse
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Poor skin turgor
Answer: C) Jugular vein distension
Rationale: Jugular vein distension (JVD) indicates increased central
venous pressure from fluid overload. Other signs include edema,
crackles, and hypertension.
4. The nurse is calculating a patient's intake and output. Which fluid should
be included as intake?
,A) IV fluids
B) Oral fluids
C) Tube feedings
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Intake includes all fluids that enter the body: oral, IV, tube
feedings, and irrigations (if absorbed).
5. The nurse is monitoring a patient's daily weight. A weight gain of how
many pounds in 24 hours may indicate fluid retention?
A) 0.5 lb
B) 1 lb
C) 2 lb
D) 3 lb
Answer: C) 2 lb
Rationale: A weight gain of 2-3 lb in 24 hours or 5 lb in a week indicates
significant fluid retention (1 L of fluid weighs approximately 2.2 lb).
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with hyponatremia (sodium 125 mEq/L).
Which finding would the nurse expect?
, A) Thirst
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Confusion and lethargy
D) Hyperreflexia
Answer: C) Confusion and lethargy
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes neurological symptoms due to
cerebral edema: confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Thirst and
dry mucous membranes occur with hypernatremia.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with hypernatremia (sodium 155 mEq/L).
Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Lethargy
B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Thirst and dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, leading to
intense thirst, dry mucous membranes, and neurological symptoms
(agitation, seizures).
