NUR2571/NUR 2571 Exam 1 V1 |
Professional Nursing II / PN2 Q&A
with Rationale | Rasmussen
University
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which clinical manifestation should
the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased blood pressure and peripheral edema
B. Distended neck veins and bounding pulse
C. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
D. Increased heart rate and thready pulse
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: In fluid volume deficit, the body compensates for reduced volume by
increasing the heart rate to maintain cardiac output. A thready pulse occurs because there
is less circulating volume to create a strong pressure wave. These findings are classic signs
of dehydration and hypovolemia.
2. A patient’s potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Prominent U waves
,B. Inverted T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects the repolarization phase of the cardiac cycle,
leading to tall, peaked T waves. If left untreated, this can progress to a widened QRS
complex and cardiac arrest. The nurse should immediately report this laboratory value to
the healthcare provider.
3. Which patient is at the highest risk for developing hyponatremia?
A. A patient receiving hypertonic saline infusions
B. A patient with a high dietary intake of sodium
C. A patient on long-term diuretic therapy who is drinking excessive water
D. A patient with diabetes insipidus
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Hyponatremia often results from a loss of sodium through diuretics
or an excess of water intake that dilutes serum sodium. Diuretics cause the kidneys to
excrete electrolytes, and excessive water intake further lowers the concentration.
Monitoring neurological status is a priority for these patients due to the risk of cerebral
edema.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a patient with hypocalcemia. Which assessment finding is indicative of
this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
B. Bony deformities and fractures
C. A positive Chvostek’s sign
D. Constipation and muscle weakness
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Chvostek’s sign is a twitching of the facial muscles in response to
tapping over the facial nerve, indicating neuromuscular irritability. This irritability is a
common manifestation of low serum calcium levels. Other signs include Trousseau’s sign
and muscle tingling.
5. A patient has the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Professional Nursing II / PN2 Q&A
with Rationale | Rasmussen
University
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with fluid volume deficit. Which clinical manifestation should
the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased blood pressure and peripheral edema
B. Distended neck veins and bounding pulse
C. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
D. Increased heart rate and thready pulse
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: In fluid volume deficit, the body compensates for reduced volume by
increasing the heart rate to maintain cardiac output. A thready pulse occurs because there
is less circulating volume to create a strong pressure wave. These findings are classic signs
of dehydration and hypovolemia.
2. A patient’s potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Prominent U waves
,B. Inverted T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects the repolarization phase of the cardiac cycle,
leading to tall, peaked T waves. If left untreated, this can progress to a widened QRS
complex and cardiac arrest. The nurse should immediately report this laboratory value to
the healthcare provider.
3. Which patient is at the highest risk for developing hyponatremia?
A. A patient receiving hypertonic saline infusions
B. A patient with a high dietary intake of sodium
C. A patient on long-term diuretic therapy who is drinking excessive water
D. A patient with diabetes insipidus
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Hyponatremia often results from a loss of sodium through diuretics
or an excess of water intake that dilutes serum sodium. Diuretics cause the kidneys to
excrete electrolytes, and excessive water intake further lowers the concentration.
Monitoring neurological status is a priority for these patients due to the risk of cerebral
edema.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a patient with hypocalcemia. Which assessment finding is indicative of
this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
B. Bony deformities and fractures
C. A positive Chvostek’s sign
D. Constipation and muscle weakness
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Chvostek’s sign is a twitching of the facial muscles in response to
tapping over the facial nerve, indicating neuromuscular irritability. This irritability is a
common manifestation of low serum calcium levels. Other signs include Trousseau’s sign
and muscle tingling.
5. A patient has the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 26. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
