True. Most of the body's potassium is inside cells, while sodium is the main cation outside them, and the sodium-potassium pump keeps this gradient.
Category: Electrolyte Basics
Question 2
Acidosis shifts potassium into the cells and lowers the serum potassium level.
Correct Answer
False
False. Acidosis moves potassium out of the cells and raises serum potassium, while alkalosis moves potassium into cells and lowers it.
Category: Electrolyte Basics
Question 3
Taking calcium at the same time as tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics reduces absorption of the antibiotic.
Correct Answer
True
True. Calcium binds these antibiotics in the gut and lowers how much is absorbed, so the doses should be separated.
Category: Calcium and Magnesium
Question 4
Thiazide diuretics are used to treat hypercalcemia because they increase urinary calcium excretion.
Correct Answer
False
False. Thiazide diuretics decrease urinary calcium excretion and can cause hypercalcemia. Loop diuretics with IV fluids are used to increase calcium excretion.
Category: Calcium and Magnesium
Question 5
Hypocalcemia increases nerve excitability and can cause paresthesias, muscle spasms and seizures.
Correct Answer
True
True. Low calcium makes nerve and muscle membranes more excitable, leading to tingling, cramps, spasms, dysrhythmias and seizures.
Category: Calcium and Magnesium
Question 6
Hypermagnesemia causes hyperactive deep tendon reflexes.
Correct Answer
False
False. Excess magnesium depresses nerve and muscle function, so reflexes are diminished or lost, along with weakness, hypotension and lethargy.
Category: Calcium and Magnesium
Question 7
Low serum magnesium can make hypokalemia hard to correct until the magnesium is also replaced.
Correct Answer
True
True. Magnesium deficiency increases potassium loss by the kidneys, so potassium replacement alone often fails to raise a low potassium level. Checking and correcting magnesium is part of treating hypokalemia that does not respond.
Category: Calcium and Magnesium
Question 8
Lactated Ringer's solution is a hypertonic IV fluid.
Correct Answer
False
False. Lactated Ringer's solution is isotonic, with an osmolality close to plasma, and is used for rehydration and fluid replacement.
Category: IV Solutions
Question 9
Hypertonic saline draws water out of the cells and into the extracellular fluid.
Correct Answer
True
True. Because its osmolality is higher than that of body fluids, hypertonic saline pulls water out of cells, which is why it can reduce cerebral edema but also risks fluid overload.
Category: IV Solutions
Question 10
Crystalloid solutions contain large protein molecules that stay inside the blood vessels.
Correct Answer
False
False. Crystalloids contain water and electrolytes that cross capillary walls. Colloids such as albumin contain large molecules that remain in the vascular space.
Category: IV Solutions
Question 11
Blood for typing and crossmatching should be drawn before a dextran infusion because dextran can interfere with these tests.
Correct Answer
True
True. Dextran changes how red blood cells behave in the sample and can interfere with blood typing and crossmatching, so samples are drawn before it is given.
Category: IV Solutions
Question 12
Packed red blood cells are the blood product given to correct thrombocytopenia.
Correct Answer
False
False. Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count and is treated with a platelet transfusion. Packed red blood cells treat anemia and blood loss.
Category: TPN and Blood Products
Question 13
Cryoprecipitate contains fibrinogen and factor VIII.
Correct Answer
True
True. Cryoprecipitate is made by thawing frozen plasma and collecting the precipitate, which is rich in fibrinogen, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, so it is used for some bleeding disorders.
Category: TPN and Blood Products
Question 14
Fat-soluble vitamins are readily excreted in the urine, so toxicity from excess intake is rare.
Correct Answer
False
False. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are stored in the liver and fat tissue, so they can build up to toxic levels. Water-soluble vitamins are the ones excreted in urine.
Category: Vitamins and Minerals
Question 15
Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
Correct Answer
True
True. Folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, and an adequate supply early in pregnancy lowers the risk of neural tube defects.
Category: Vitamins and Minerals
Question 16
Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
Correct Answer
False
False. Pellagra is caused by niacin, vitamin B3, deficiency. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, with bleeding gums and poor wound healing.
Category: Vitamins and Minerals
Question 17
Under federal law, dietary supplements are regulated as foods rather than as drugs.
Correct Answer
True
True. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 places supplements in the food category, so they do not go through the testing required for prescription drugs before sale.
Category: Herbal Supplements
Question 18
Garlic supplements decrease the risk of bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants.
Correct Answer
False
False. Garlic suppresses platelet function and can increase bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants, so the nurse asks about its use.
Category: Herbal Supplements
Question 19
Taking St. John's wort with an SSRI antidepressant can cause serotonin syndrome.
Correct Answer
True
True. St. John's wort increases serotonin activity, so combining it with antidepressants such as SSRIs can produce serotonin syndrome, with agitation, fever, tremor and tachycardia.
Category: Herbal Supplements
Question 20
NSAIDs and corticosteroids promote fluid loss and are common causes of fluid volume deficit.
Correct Answer
False
False. NSAIDs and corticosteroids cause the kidneys to retain sodium and water, so they contribute to fluid volume excess. Diuretics and laxatives are drugs that can cause a deficit.
Category: Fluid Balance