A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix), a loop diuretic.

The nurse understands that the primary

mechanism of action of furosemide is to:
a) Increase renal blood flow
b) Inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water in the ascending loop of Henle
c) Decrease the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
d) Increase the secretion of aldosterone

Answer: b) Inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water in the ascending loop of Henle
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and water in the
ascending loop of Henle in the kidney, resulting in increased urine output and decreased fluid volume in the body.

A patient with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride. The nurse understands that potassium chloride should
be administered:
a) Intravenously as a bolus
b) Subcutaneously
c) Orally with a full glass of water
d) Intramuscularly into a large muscle

Answer: c) Orally with a full glass of water

Rationale: Potassium chloride should be administered orally with a full glass of water to prevent irritation of the
gastrointestinal tract. Intravenous administration of potassium chloride can be dangerous and potentially fatal if given
as a bolus.

A patient with hypernatremia is prescribed a hypotonic solution. The nurse understands that a hypotonic solution will:
a) Increase the serum sodium concentration
b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration
c) Have no effect on the serum sodium concentration
d) Increase the serum potassium concentration

Answer: b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration

Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the serum, which means that water will
move from the hypotonic solution into the intracellular and extracellular spaces.
This will dilute the serum sodium concentration and decrease it.

A patient with hyponatremia is prescribed a hypertonic solution. The nurse understands that a hypertonic solution
will:
a) Increase the serum sodium concentration
b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration
c) Have no effect on the serum sodium concentration
d) Increase the serum potassium concentration

Answer: a) Increase the serum sodium concentration

Rationale: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes than the serum, which means that water will
move from the intracellular and extracellular spaces into the hypertonic solution. This will increase the serum sodium
concentration and decrease the water content of the cells.

A patient with hyperkalemia is prescribed calcium gluconate. The nurse understands that calcium gluconate will:
a) Decrease the serum calcium concentration
b) Increase the serum potassium concentration
c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
d) Increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Answer: c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Rationale: Calcium gluconate can be given to patients with hyperkalemia to decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias,
which can be caused by high levels of potassium in the blood. Calcium ions help to stabilize the cardiac membranes
and can prevent arrhythmias.

A patient with hypocalcemia is prescribed oral calcium supplements. The nurse understands that calcium supplements
should be administered:
a) With food
b) On an empty stomach
c) With antacids
d) With iron supplements

Answer: a) With food

Rationale: Calcium supplements should be administered with food to increase their absorption and reduce the risk of
gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation and bloating.

A patient with metabolic alkalosis is prescribed ammonium chloride. The nurse understands that ammonium chloride
works by:
a) Increasing the excretion of bicarbonate ions
b) Decreasing the excretion of bicarbonate ions
c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
d) Decreasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Answer: c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Rationale: Ammonium chloride can be used to treat metabolic alkalosis by increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
in the urine, which helps to correct the alkalosis.

A patient with respiratory acidosis is prescribed oxygen therapy. The nurse understands that oxygen therapy works
by:
a) Increasing the excretion of carbon dioxide
b) Decreasing the excretion of carbon dioxide
c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
d) Decreasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Answer: b) Decreasing the excretion of carbon dioxide

Rationale: Oxygen therapy can be used to treat respiratory acidosis by increasing the oxygenation of the blood, which
helps to decrease the respiratory rate and reduce the production of carbon dioxide.

A patient with hypomagnesemia is prescribed magnesium sulfate. The nurse understands that magnesium sulfate
should be administered:
a) Intravenously as a bolus
b) Subcutaneously
c) Orally with a full glass of water
d) Intramuscularly into a large muscle

Answer: a) Intravenously as a bolus

Rationale: Magnesium sulfate should be administered intravenously as a bolus to treat severe hypomagnesemia. Oral
or subcutaneous administration is not effective for rapidly increasing the magnesium levels in the blood.

A patient with hypermagnesemia is prescribed calcium gluconate. The nurse understands that calcium gluconate will:
a) Decrease the serum calcium concentration
b) Increase the serum magnesium concentration
c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
d) Increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Answer: c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Rationale: Calcium gluconate can be given to patients with hypermagnesemia to decrease the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias, which can be caused by high levels of magnesium in the blood. Calcium ions help to stabilize the cardiac
membranes and can prevent arrhythmias.

A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix), a loop diuretic. The nurse understands that the primary
mechanism of action of furosemide is to:
a) Increase renal blood flow
b) Inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water in the ascending loop of Henle
c) Decrease the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
d) Increase the secretion of aldosterone

Answer: b) Inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water in the ascending loop of Henle
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide work by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and water in the
ascending loop of Henle in the kidney, resulting in increased urine output and decreased fluid volume in the body.

A patient with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride. The nurse understands that potassium chloride should
be administered:
a) Intravenously as a bolus
b) Subcutaneously
c) Orally with a full glass of water
d) Intramuscularly into a large muscle

Answer: c) Orally with a full glass of water

Rationale: Potassium chloride should be administered orally with a full glass of water to prevent irritation of the
gastrointestinal tract. Intravenous administration of potassium chloride can be dangerous and potentially fatal if given
as a bolus.

A patient with hypernatremia is prescribed a hypotonic solution. The nurse understands that a hypotonic solution will:
a) Increase the serum sodium concentration
b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration
c) Have no effect on the serum sodium concentration
d) Increase the serum potassium concentration

Answer: b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration

Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the serum, which means that water will
move from the hypotonic solution into the intracellular and extracellular spaces. This will dilute the serum sodium
concentration and decrease it.

A patient with hyponatremia is prescribed a hypertonic solution. The nurse understands that a hypertonic solution
will:
a) Increase the serum sodium concentration
b) Decrease the serum sodium concentration
c) Have no effect on the serum sodium concentration
d) Increase the serum potassium concentration

Answer: a) Increase the serum sodium concentration

Rationale: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes than the serum, which means that water will
move from the intracellular and extracellular spaces into the hypertonic solution. This will increase the serum sodium
concentration and decrease the water content of the cells.

A patient with hyperkalemia is prescribed calcium gluconate. The nurse understands that calcium gluconate will:
a) Decrease the serum calcium concentration
b) Increase the serum potassium concentration
c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
d) Increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
Answer: c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
Rationale: Calcium gluconate can be given to patients with hyperkalemia to decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias,
which can be caused by high levels of potassium in the blood. Calcium ions help to stabilize the cardiac membranes
and can prevent arrhythmias.

A patient with hypocalcemia is prescribed oral calcium supplements. The nurse understands that calcium supplements
should be administered:
a) With food
b) On an empty stomach
c) With antacids
d) With iron supplements

Answer: a) With food

Rationale: Calcium supplements should be administered with food to increase their absorption and reduce the risk of
gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation and bloating.

A patient with metabolic alkalosis is prescribed ammonium chloride. The nurse understands that ammonium chloride
works by:
a) Increasing the excretion of bicarbonate ions
b) Decreasing the excretion of bicarbonate ions
c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
d) Decreasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Answer: c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Rationale: Ammonium chloride can be used to treat metabolic alkalosis by increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
in the urine, which helps to correct the alkalosis.

A patient with respiratory acidosis is prescribed oxygen therapy. The nurse understands that oxygen therapy works
by:
a) Increasing the excretion of carbon dioxide
b) Decreasing the excretion of carbon dioxide
c) Increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions
d) Decreasing the excretion of hydrogen ions

Answer: b) Decreasing the excretion of carbon dioxide

Rationale: Oxygen therapy can be used to treat respiratory acidosis by increasing the oxygenation of the blood, which
helps to decrease the respiratory rate and reduce the production of carbon dioxide.

A patient with hypomagnesemia is prescribed magnesium sulfate. The nurse understands that magnesium sulfate
should be administered:
a) Intravenously as a bolus
b) Subcutaneously
c) Orally with a full glass of water
d) Intramuscularly into a large muscle

Answer: a) Intravenously as a bolus

Rationale: Magnesium sulfate should be administered intravenously as a bolus to treat severe hypomagnesemia. Oral
or subcutaneous administration is not effective for rapidly increasing the magnesium levels in the blood.

A patient with hypermagnesemia is prescribed calcium gluconate. The nurse understands that calcium gluconate will:
a) Decrease the serum calcium concentration
b) Increase the serum magnesium concentration
c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
d) Increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Answer: c) Decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Rationale: Calcium gluconate can be given to patients with hypermagnesemia to decrease the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias, which can be caused by high levels of magnesium in the blood. Calcium ions help to stabilize the cardiac
membranes and can prevent arrhythmias.

Which of the following is a common symptom of acute glomerulonephritis?

a) Hematuria
b) Proteinuria
c) Hypertension
d) Polyuria

Answer: a) Hematuria
Rationale: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is a common symptom of acute glomerulonephritis. Proteinuria,
hypertension, and polyuria may also occur but are not specific to this condition.

A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-protein diet. The nurse understands that this diet is
important to:
a) Prevent hyperkalemia
b) Prevent hypokalemia
c) Reduce the workload of the kidneys
d) Increase the excretion of sodium

Answer: c) Reduce the workload of the kidneys

Rationale: A low-protein diet can help to reduce the workload of the kidneys in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Protein metabolism produces waste products that are excreted by the kidneys, and reducing protein intake can
decrease the production of these waste products.

Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient with acute kidney injury?
a) Administering pain medication
b) Encouraging fluid intake
c) Promoting rest and activity as tolerated
d) Monitoring urine output and serum creatinine levels

Answer: d) Monitoring urine output and serum creatinine levels

Rationale: Monitoring urine output and serum creatinine levels are essential for assessing kidney function in patients
with acute kidney injury. Pain management, fluid intake, rest, and activity promotion are important interventions but
are not as high a priority as monitoring kidney function.

A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a medication to control hypertension. The nurse understands that
controlling hypertension is important to prevent:
a) Hypokalemia
b) Acidosis
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Further kidney damage

Answer: d) Further kidney damage

Rationale: Controlling hypertension is important in patients with chronic kidney disease to prevent further damage to
the kidneys. Hypokalemia, acidosis, and hypercalcemia may occur in patients with kidney disease, but controlling
hypertension is not specifically related to preventing these conditions.

Which of the following is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome?

a) Polycystic kidney disease
b) Renal artery stenosis
c) Glomerulonephritis
d) Urinary tract infection
Answer: c) Glomerulonephritis
Rationale: Glomerulonephritis is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by proteinuria,
hypoalbuminemia, and edema. Polycystic kidney disease, renal artery stenosis, and urinary tract infections are not
commonly associated with nephrotic syndrome.

A patient with end-stage renal disease is scheduled for hemodialysis. The nurse understands that hemodialysis works
by:
a) Stimulating urine production
b) Removing excess fluids and waste products from the blood
c) Restoring the balance of electrolytes in the body
d) Increasing the glomerular filtration rate

Answer: b) Removing excess fluids and waste products from the blood
Rationale: Hemodialysis is a form of renal replacement therapy that removes excess fluids and waste products from
the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so. Hemodialysis does not stimulate urine production, restore
electrolyte balance, or increase the glomerular filtration rate.

A patient with nephrotic syndrome is prescribed diuretic therapy. The nurse understands that diuretics are used to:
a) Decrease proteinuria
b) Increase serum albumin levels
c) Reduce edema
d) Prevent renal failure

Answer: c) Reduce edema

Rationale: Diuretics are commonly used in patients with nephrotic syndrome to reduce edema, which is a common
symptom of the condition. Diuretics do not decrease proteinuria, increase serum albumin levels, or prevent renal
failure.

Which of the following is a common complication of polycystic kidney disease?

a) Nephrotic syndrome
b) Renal calculi
c) Pyelonephritis
d) Renal failure

Answer: d) Renal failure

Rationale: Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of cysts in the kidneys, which can
lead to chronic kidney disease and eventually renal failure. Nephrotic syndrome, renal calculi, and pyelonephritis are
not commonly associated with polycystic kidney disease.

A patient with renal artery stenosis is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse
understands that this medication is used to:
a) Increase urine output
b) Control hypertension
c) Reduce edema
d) Promote renal blood flow

Answer: b) Control hypertension

Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to control hypertension in patients
with renal artery stenosis. ACE inhibitors do not increase urine output, reduce edema, or directly promote renal blood
flow.

A patient with a history of kidney stones is advised to increase their fluid intake. The nurse understands that this is
important to:
a) Prevent dehydration
b) Promote renal blood flow
c) Reduce the risk of further stone formation
d) Increase the excretion of potassium

Answer: c) Reduce the risk of further stone formation

Rationale: Increasing fluid intake can help to reduce the risk of further stone formation in patients with a history of
kidney stones. Fluids help to dilute the urine and decrease the concentration of minerals that can form stones.
Increasing fluid intake does not prevent dehydration, directly promote renal blood flow, or increase the excretion of
potassium.