NGN NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Normal Sodium level - ANSWER- 135-145
Hyponatremia - ANSWER- low sodium in the blood
Chronic: Anorexia, Nausea, Emesis, Muscular, Weakness, Irritability
Severe: gait changes, stupor, seizures, coma
causes of hyponatremia - ANSWER- Causes of hyponatremia:
Diuretics-Thiazide Drugs
Dietary Changes,Low Na diet,
Excessive water intake with sweating
Fad diets, Anorexia nervosa.
GI vomiting, diarrhea, GI suctioning,
Tap water enemas,diuretics, kidney disease
Treatments for hyponatremia - ANSWER- 0.9% NaCl, accurate I&O, vitals (pulse),
watch for signs of water intoxication, monitor blood gases, watch for respiratory
difficulties
Hypernatremia - ANSWER- high sodium in the blood
Mild: thirst, rough dry tongue, dry sticky mucous membranes, tachycardia, fever, flushed
dry skin
Severe: disorientation, hallucinations, lethargy, irritability, seizure, coma
causes of hypernatremia - ANSWER- Causes:
Dietary Changes-Excessive Salt intake
Excessive IV Saline
Deprivation of water
GI Disorders (Watery Diarrhea)
Decreased Renal Function
Insensible Water Loss
Heat Stroke
Salt water drowning
Head Injury Trauma
treatments for hypernatremia - ANSWER- restrict sodium intake, identify drugs that are
sodium retaining, monitor Na levels daily, check for rales, edema in lower extremities,
I&O, Urine specific gravity
urine specific gravity level - ANSWER- >1.015
normal potassium levels - ANSWER- 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
, hypokalemia - ANSWER- low potassium
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, ventricular arrhythmias, hypotension, polyuria,
muscle cramps, alkalosis, lethargy
causes of hyponatremia - ANSWER- Malnutrition; Alcoholism
Potassium wasting diuretics
Renal Failure, Hyperaldosteronism
Steroids
GI Losses;laxative abuse,diarrhea,vomiting,
gastric suctioning
Trauma & injury, excessive sweating
Alkalosis, Insulin
treatments for hypokalemia - ANSWER- oral supplements or food replacement, K Cl(20-
40) meq, Kay Ciel, Kaochlor, oral potassium is extremely irritating to the stomach and
should be diluted in water
hyperkalemia - ANSWER- high potassium
Abd cramps
Tachycardia
Widened QRS
Ventricular arrhythmia
Cardiac Arrest
Oliguria
Numbness face, tongue, feet , hands
causes of hyperkalemia - ANSWER- Excessive K intake, IV K Infusions
Decreased renal function
K sparing diuretics -Aldactone,Dyrenium
Metabolic Acidosis,Hypergylcemia
Addisons disease
Hemolysis, Chemotherapy
Tissue damage, crush injuries, burns
Drugs: Capotril,Cyclosporin, Heparin, Dig toxicity,Penicillin Salts, Beta Blockers
treatments for hyperkalemia - ANSWER- Potassium restriction
IV sodium bicarb
Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate)
Orally given every 4-6 hours and results occur in 1-2 hours
Rectally given has a retention enema every 2-4 hours
Enema removes K in 30-60 minutes
Monitor labs and EKG
normal calcium levels - ANSWER- 9.0-10.5 mEq/l
