Free Practice Quiz Question List

3 Electrolyte, Renal, and Metabolic Studies Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 3 Electrolyte, Renal, and Metabolic Studies, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

True or false: A laboratory result should be interpreted using the laboratory’s reference range and in the context of the patient’s symptoms and other clinical findings, rather than in isolation.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

Which total calcium result is below the common adult reference range of 8.5–10.2 mg/dL?

A
8.7 mg/dL
B
8.2 mg/dL
C
9.4 mg/dL
D
10.0 mg/dL

Written response

1 point

A patient’s creatinine rises from 0.9 to 1.6 mg/dL. What is the absolute increase in creatinine?

Fill in the blank

1 point

Complete each common adult reference range: Sodium is ; potassium is .

True or false

1 point

True or false: If potassium replacement is prescribed, IV potassium may be given by direct injection.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A patient with pneumonia has a sodium of 121 mmol/L and new confusion. What should the nurse do first?

A
Wait until the next routine assessment because the sodium result alone does not require action.
B
Independently correct the sodium rapidly before notifying the clinician.
C
Promptly report the result and mental-status change, assess neurologic status and safety, and follow orders and facility protocol.
D
Encourage unrestricted oral fluids and reassess the confusion later.

Choose one

1 point

A conscious patient who received insulin is shaky and diaphoretic, with a point-of-care glucose of 54 mg/dL. The patient can safely swallow. What action is recommended by the stated hypoglycemia protocol?

A
Give nothing by mouth and wait 30 minutes before rechecking.
B
Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes.
C
Give a large meal and recheck glucose in one hour.
D
Give IV dextrose immediately, regardless of the patient’s ability to swallow.

Choose all

1 point

A patient’s creatinine rises from 0.9 to 1.6 mg/dL over two days, and urine output has fallen. Which actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.

A
Report the creatinine trend and declining urine output.
B
Assess intake and output, vital signs, and volume status.
C
Reassure the patient because a creatinine value of 1.6 mg/dL is never concerning.
D
Review recent medications and possible nephrotoxic exposures with the care team.

Choose all

1 point

A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium of 6.4 mmol/L and new muscle weakness. Which responses are appropriate? Select all that apply.

A
Assess the patient and promptly notify the responsible clinician.
B
Initiate cardiac monitoring or obtain an ECG according to orders and facility protocol.
C
Wait for a repeat draw before escalating, even though the patient is symptomatic.
D
Review the specimen for possible hemolysis without delaying escalation.

Written response

1 point

Interpret these blood-gas values: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 26 mmol/L. What is the primary acid–base disorder?

Fill in the blank

1 point

For a blood gas with pH 7.29, $\mathrm{HCO_3^-}$ 15 mmol/L, and $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ 30 mm Hg, the primary disorder is ; the lower $\mathrm{PaCO_2}$ is consistent with .

Choose one

1 point

A patient with diabetes has glucose of 390 mg/dL, vomiting, abdominal pain, and deep, rapid breathing. What is the priority response?

A
Wait for the next scheduled glucose check because the glucose value alone is not diagnostic.
B
Escalate promptly for urgent clinical assessment and assess airway, breathing, circulation, vital signs, hydration, and mental status.
C
Assume ketoacidosis is confirmed and begin treatment without further assessment or orders.
D
Focus only on abdominal pain and delay assessment of breathing and hydration.

Choose one

1 point

A patient taking a loop diuretic has potassium of 2.9 mmol/L and reports palpitations. Which response is most appropriate?

A
Give potassium replacement without an order and reassess the next day.
B
Assess promptly, notify the clinician, and arrange ECG or cardiac monitoring according to protocol.
C
Stop all prescribed medications independently and wait for symptoms to resolve.
D
Give IV potassium by direct injection to correct the result quickly.

Open ended

1 point

A patient with diabetes has glucose of 390 mg/dL, vomiting, abdominal pain, and deep, rapid breathing. Describe the priority response and the key assessments or tests to support the urgent evaluation.

Written response

1 point

A patient’s total CO₂ is 31 mmol/L. Using the common adult reference range of 23–29 mmol/L, how far above the upper limit is the result?

True or false

1 point

Common adult laboratory reference ranges are universal cutoffs that should be used instead of the ranges printed by the laboratory.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

When interpreting creatinine, which filtration estimate, together with other findings, can help assess kidney function?

Choose one

1 point

A patient with diabetes has glucose of 390 mg/dL, vomiting, abdominal pain, and deep rapid breathing. What is the priority response?

A
Give oral fluids and wait to see whether the symptoms resolve before contacting the care team.
B
Escalate promptly for urgent clinical assessment and assess airway, breathing, circulation, vital signs, hydration, and mental status.
C
Conclude that ketoacidosis is confirmed by the glucose result and begin treatment without further assessment.
D
Reassure the patient because glucose alone cannot diagnose ketoacidosis.

Choose one

1 point

Interpret this blood gas: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg, and HCO₃⁻ 26 mmol/L.

A
Primary metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
B
Primary respiratory alkalosis
C
Primary respiratory acidosis with little or no metabolic compensation
D
No acid–base disturbance because the bicarbonate is near the usual range

Choose one

1 point

A conscious patient who received insulin is shaky and diaphoretic, with a point-of-care glucose of 54 mg/dL. The patient can swallow safely. What should the nurse do?

A
Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes, following facility protocol.
B
Give nothing by mouth and wait for the next routine glucose check.
C
Give IV potassium and recheck glucose in 15 minutes.
D
Give a meal and recheck glucose in one hour.

3 Electrolyte, Renal, and Metabolic Studies Online Quiz Questions

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