NUR 206 EXAM 3 / NUR 206 ACTUAL EXAM 3 LATEST 2026/2027
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE
EXAM APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (100% EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) LATEST
UPDATED VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+
|BRAND NEW! |FULL REVISED NUR 206 EXAM 3
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
requires immediate intervention?
A) Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
B) CORRECT ANSWER Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C) Serum chloride 100 mEq/L
D) Serum magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. A serum
potassium of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias, muscle weakness, and respiratory arrest. Normal potassium is 3.5-
5.0 mEq/L. Sodium of 135 is low normal, chloride 100 is normal, magnesium 2.0
is normal. Immediate potassium replacement and cardiac monitoring are
required.
A nurse is assessing a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which finding
indicates that treatment is effective?
A) Serum glucose 300 mg/dL and anion gap 18
B) CORRECT ANSWER Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L and pH 7.35
C) Serum ketones large and urine output 20 mL/hr
D) Serum osmolality 320 mOsm/kg and Kussmaul respirations
,Rationale: DKA treatment aims to correct acidosis, hyperglycemia, and
dehydration. A rising bicarbonate (normal 22-26) and pH (normal 7.35-7.45)
indicate resolving metabolic acidosis. Glucose of 300 is still elevated, anion gap
18 is high (normal 8-12), large ketones and low urine output indicate ongoing
DKA, and high osmolality with Kussmaul respirations suggest severe acidosis.
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Ferrous sulfate 325 mg orally
B) CORRECT ANSWER Epoetin alfa (Epogen) subcutaneously
C) Folic acid 1 mg orally
D) Vitamin B12 1000 mcg intramuscularly
Rationale: CKD causes decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys,
leading to anemia. Epoetin alfa is recombinant erythropoietin that stimulates red
blood cell production. Iron supplementation may be adjunctive but is not the
primary treatment for erythropoietin deficiency. Folic acid and B12 address other
causes of anemia.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperparathyroidism. Which assessment finding
is most concerning?
A) Serum calcium 11.2 mg/dL
B) CORRECT ANSWER Acute onset of confusion and lethargy
C) Bone pain in the lower extremities
D) Constipation for two days
Rationale: Hyperparathyroidism causes hypercalcemia. Severe hypercalcemia
(often >12 mg/dL) can cause neurologic symptoms including confusion, lethargy,
and coma. While calcium of 11.2 is elevated, acute confusion indicates worsening
hypercalcemia requiring immediate intervention. Bone pain and constipation are
expected but not emergent.
,A patient is admitted with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH). Which fluid order is most appropriate?
A) 0.9% normal saline at 150 mL/hr
B) CORRECT ANSWER Fluid restriction to 800 mL/day
C) 3% hypertonic saline at 50 mL/hr
D) 0.45% half-normal saline at 100 mL/hr
Rationale: SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Fluid
restriction is the mainstay of treatment to correct hyponatremia safely. Hypertonic
saline is reserved for severe, symptomatic hyponatremia (seizures, coma). Normal
saline and half-normal saline may worsen hyponatremia in SIADH because the
patient retains water while excreting sodium.
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and confused.
The nurse checks a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
A) Administer 1 mg glucagon intramuscularly
B) CORRECT ANSWER Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate orally if patient can
swallow
C) Start an IV infusion of 10% dextrose at 125 mL/hr
D) Recheck glucose in 15 minutes
Rationale: The patient has hypoglycemia with intact swallow. The rule of 15 is
appropriate: give 15 g of carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz juice, 3 glucose tablets), recheck
in 15 minutes. Glucagon is for unconscious patients or those who cannot swallow.
IV dextrose is for severe hypoglycemia in a hospital setting but is not first-line if
oral intake is possible. Rechecking without treatment delays correction.
A nurse is teaching a patient with hyperthyroidism about prescribed propylthiouracil
(PTU). Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
B) CORRECT ANSWER "I will report any fever or sore throat to my provider
immediately."
, C) "This medication will permanently cure my overactive thyroid."
D) "I can stop taking the medication when my symptoms improve."
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (decreased white blood cells), so fever,
sore throat, or signs of infection require immediate reporting. PTU is not a cure;
it controls symptoms until definitive treatment (radioactive iodine or surgery). It
must be taken consistently, and stopping abruptly can cause thyroid storm. Taking
with food is acceptable but not the priority safety teaching.
A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare for hemodialysis
B) CORRECT ANSWER Administer calcium gluconate IV
C) Give sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally
D) Infuse regular insulin with dextrose IV
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia (>6.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Calcium gluconate is given first to stabilize the cardiac membrane,
not to lower potassium. Then insulin with dextrose shifts potassium into cells, and
Kayexalate removes potassium via stool. Dialysis is definitive but not the first
immediate step.
A patient with cirrhosis has ascites and is receiving spironolactone. Which
assessment finding indicates the medication is effective?
A) Increased abdominal girth from 90 cm to 95 cm
B) CORRECT ANSWER Daily weight decrease of 1 kg over 3 days
C) Serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure increase from 110/70 to 140/90
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to manage ascites.
Effective response is gradual weight loss (1-2 kg/day acceptable), indicating fluid
mobilization. Increased abdominal girth is worsening ascites. Hyponatremia is a
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE
EXAM APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (100% EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) LATEST
UPDATED VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+
|BRAND NEW! |FULL REVISED NUR 206 EXAM 3
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
requires immediate intervention?
A) Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
B) CORRECT ANSWER Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C) Serum chloride 100 mEq/L
D) Serum magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. A serum
potassium of 2.8 mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias, muscle weakness, and respiratory arrest. Normal potassium is 3.5-
5.0 mEq/L. Sodium of 135 is low normal, chloride 100 is normal, magnesium 2.0
is normal. Immediate potassium replacement and cardiac monitoring are
required.
A nurse is assessing a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which finding
indicates that treatment is effective?
A) Serum glucose 300 mg/dL and anion gap 18
B) CORRECT ANSWER Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L and pH 7.35
C) Serum ketones large and urine output 20 mL/hr
D) Serum osmolality 320 mOsm/kg and Kussmaul respirations
,Rationale: DKA treatment aims to correct acidosis, hyperglycemia, and
dehydration. A rising bicarbonate (normal 22-26) and pH (normal 7.35-7.45)
indicate resolving metabolic acidosis. Glucose of 300 is still elevated, anion gap
18 is high (normal 8-12), large ketones and low urine output indicate ongoing
DKA, and high osmolality with Kussmaul respirations suggest severe acidosis.
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Ferrous sulfate 325 mg orally
B) CORRECT ANSWER Epoetin alfa (Epogen) subcutaneously
C) Folic acid 1 mg orally
D) Vitamin B12 1000 mcg intramuscularly
Rationale: CKD causes decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys,
leading to anemia. Epoetin alfa is recombinant erythropoietin that stimulates red
blood cell production. Iron supplementation may be adjunctive but is not the
primary treatment for erythropoietin deficiency. Folic acid and B12 address other
causes of anemia.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperparathyroidism. Which assessment finding
is most concerning?
A) Serum calcium 11.2 mg/dL
B) CORRECT ANSWER Acute onset of confusion and lethargy
C) Bone pain in the lower extremities
D) Constipation for two days
Rationale: Hyperparathyroidism causes hypercalcemia. Severe hypercalcemia
(often >12 mg/dL) can cause neurologic symptoms including confusion, lethargy,
and coma. While calcium of 11.2 is elevated, acute confusion indicates worsening
hypercalcemia requiring immediate intervention. Bone pain and constipation are
expected but not emergent.
,A patient is admitted with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH). Which fluid order is most appropriate?
A) 0.9% normal saline at 150 mL/hr
B) CORRECT ANSWER Fluid restriction to 800 mL/day
C) 3% hypertonic saline at 50 mL/hr
D) 0.45% half-normal saline at 100 mL/hr
Rationale: SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Fluid
restriction is the mainstay of treatment to correct hyponatremia safely. Hypertonic
saline is reserved for severe, symptomatic hyponatremia (seizures, coma). Normal
saline and half-normal saline may worsen hyponatremia in SIADH because the
patient retains water while excreting sodium.
A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and confused.
The nurse checks a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
A) Administer 1 mg glucagon intramuscularly
B) CORRECT ANSWER Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate orally if patient can
swallow
C) Start an IV infusion of 10% dextrose at 125 mL/hr
D) Recheck glucose in 15 minutes
Rationale: The patient has hypoglycemia with intact swallow. The rule of 15 is
appropriate: give 15 g of carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz juice, 3 glucose tablets), recheck
in 15 minutes. Glucagon is for unconscious patients or those who cannot swallow.
IV dextrose is for severe hypoglycemia in a hospital setting but is not first-line if
oral intake is possible. Rechecking without treatment delays correction.
A nurse is teaching a patient with hyperthyroidism about prescribed propylthiouracil
(PTU). Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
B) CORRECT ANSWER "I will report any fever or sore throat to my provider
immediately."
, C) "This medication will permanently cure my overactive thyroid."
D) "I can stop taking the medication when my symptoms improve."
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (decreased white blood cells), so fever,
sore throat, or signs of infection require immediate reporting. PTU is not a cure;
it controls symptoms until definitive treatment (radioactive iodine or surgery). It
must be taken consistently, and stopping abruptly can cause thyroid storm. Taking
with food is acceptable but not the priority safety teaching.
A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare for hemodialysis
B) CORRECT ANSWER Administer calcium gluconate IV
C) Give sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) orally
D) Infuse regular insulin with dextrose IV
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia (>6.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Calcium gluconate is given first to stabilize the cardiac membrane,
not to lower potassium. Then insulin with dextrose shifts potassium into cells, and
Kayexalate removes potassium via stool. Dialysis is definitive but not the first
immediate step.
A patient with cirrhosis has ascites and is receiving spironolactone. Which
assessment finding indicates the medication is effective?
A) Increased abdominal girth from 90 cm to 95 cm
B) CORRECT ANSWER Daily weight decrease of 1 kg over 3 days
C) Serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure increase from 110/70 to 140/90
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to manage ascites.
Effective response is gradual weight loss (1-2 kg/day acceptable), indicating fluid
mobilization. Increased abdominal girth is worsening ascites. Hyponatremia is a
