Professional Nursing II / PN2 Q&A
with Rationale | Rasmussen
University
1. A patient is admitted with suspected Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Which condition
should the nurse identify as a likely cause?
A. Aminoglycoside toxicity
B. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
C. Kidney stones
D. Severe dehydration
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Prerenal AKI is characterized by factors that reduce systemic
circulation, causing a decrease in renal blood flow. Severe dehydration leads to
hypovolemia, which decreases the glomerular filtration rate. It is important for nurses to
distinguish this from intrarenal or postrenal causes to initiate proper fluid resuscitation.
2. Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of renal function in a patient with
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
A. Serum Potassium
,B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Serum Creatinine
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Serum creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism and is
primarily excreted by the kidneys. As renal function declines, the creatinine level rises
consistently, making it more reliable than BUN, which can be affected by diet. Nurses
monitor this value closely to track the progression of CKD stages.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient undergoing hemodialysis who complains of a headache,
nausea, and becomes increasingly restless. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Disequilibrium Syndrome
C. Air Embolism
D. Hypovolemic Shock
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Disequilibrium syndrome results from a rapid shift of solutes and
water from the blood into brain cells during or after dialysis. Symptoms include headache,
nausea, vomiting, and restlessness or seizures. The nurse must slow the dialysis rate or
stop the procedure and notify the healthcare provider immediately.
, 4. A patient receiving peritoneal dialysis reports that the outflow drainage has become
cloudy. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Irrigate the catheter with saline
B. Obtain a sample for culture and sensitivity
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Warm the dialysate solution
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Cloudy dialysate outflow is the earliest sign of peritonitis, a common
and serious complication of peritoneal dialysis. The nurse should immediately collect a
sample to identify the infecting organism. Prompt antibiotic therapy is necessary to
prevent systemic infection and catheter loss.
5. When assessing a new Arteriovenous (AV) fistula in a patient’s arm, what is a priority
nursing action?
A. Draw blood from the fistula arm for labs
B. Apply a blood pressure cuff to the fistula arm
C. Palpate for a thrill and auscultate for a bruit
D. Ensure the patient keeps the arm in a dependent position
Correct Answer: C