Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance MCQs for Nursing Exams
941 questions with explanations · 26 free to practise now.
Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance questions for NORCET, RRB, ESIC, CHO and state nursing officer exams, split into 28 topics. Open a topic to read sample questions with answers, or start free practice. Every question comes with a simple-English explanation.
Q1. After a thyroidectomy, it is most appropriate for the nurse to monitor the patient for signs of which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
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Answer: D. Hypocalcemia
Calcium is chiefly regulated in the blood by parathyroid hormone and calcitonin (a hormone released by the thyroid). After a thyroidectomy, patients are monitored for hypocalcemia because it is possible that the parathyroid glands may have been accidentally removed. Hypocalcemia is manifested by tingling and numbness of the extremities and mouth and muscle contractions of the fingers and hands. The other choices are not related to a thyroidectomy.
Q2. Which arterial blood gas result indicates respiratory acidosis?
pH 7.30, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3 18 mEq/L
pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
pH 7.50, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3 30 mEq/L
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Answer: C. pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
A low pH with a high PaCO2 and normal bicarbonate is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. The others are respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis.
Q3. The doctor writes the following order: Give 20 mL per kg bolus of normal saline over 60 minutes. The patient, a child, weighs 32 pounds. What number of drops should be delivered per minute? The tubing has a drip factor of 10:
30 drops
50 drops
150 drops
110 drops
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Answer: B. 50 drops
This question requires several steps to determine the correct answer. First, determine the proper amount of normal saline to be given. Change the child's weight to kilograms. Dividing 32 by 2.2 equals 14.54 kilograms,which is rounded to 15 kilograms. Multiplying 15 kilograms by 20 (20 milliliters per kilogram) equals 300 milliliters to be given as the bolus. Divide 300 milliliters by 60 minutes to equal 5.Multiplying 5 times the drip factor of 10 equals 50 drops per minute.
Q4. The doctor has ordered intravenous fluid with potassium for a patient admitted with gastroenteritis and dehydration. Before adding potassium to the intravenous fluid, the nurse should:
Assess the urinary output
Obtain arterial blood gases
Perform a dextrostick
Obtain a stool culture
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Answer: A. Assess the urinary output
58. Answer A is correct. During dehydration, the kidneys compensate for electrolyte imbalance by retaining potassium. The nurse should check for urinary output before adding potassium to the IV fluid. Answer B is incorrect because it measures respiratory compensation caused by dehydration. Answers C and D do not apply to the use of intravenous fluid with potassium; therefore, they are incorrect.
Q5. Which correctly matches the clinical entity and its effects on phosphate metabolism?
Rhabdomyolysis causes hypophosphatemia.
Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes hypophosphatemia.
Respiratory alkalosis causes hyperphosphatemia.
Hyperparathyroidism causes hyperphosphatemia.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes hypophosphatemia.
Insulin treatment shifts phosphate into cells and can lower serum phosphate in DKA.
Are the Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance questions free?
A set of 26 questions is free to practise after you enter your name and mobile number (no OTP). The full set of 941 questions is in NurseRank Premium.
Is Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance asked in NORCET and other nursing officer exams?
Nursing exams test the core nursing subjects, so this subject is useful for NORCET, RRB, ESIC, CHO and state exams. Check your exam's official syllabus for exact weightage.
