Sodium
A nurse reviews a client’s lab work. Which sodium value is within the normal range?
A. 125 mEq/L
B. 132 mEq/L
C. 140 mEq/L
D. 151 mEq/L
Answer: C. 140 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal sodium levels are typically 135–145 mEq/L. A value of 140 is within normal limits.
Which potassium level is within the normal range?
A. 2.9 mEq/L
B. 3.8 mEq/L
C. 5.9 mEq/L
D. 6.2 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal potassium levels are typically 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.
Which calcium level is within the normal range?
A. 7.1 mg/dL
B. 8.9 mg/dL
C. 10.9 mg/dL
D. 11.5 mg/dL
Answer: B. 8.9 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal total calcium levels are typically 8.5–10.5 mg/dL.
Which magnesium level is within the normal range?
A. 0.9 mg/dL
B. 1.7 mg/dL
C. 2.8 mg/dL
D. 3.5 mg/dL
Answer: B. 1.7 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal magnesium levels are typically 1.6–2.6 mg/dL.
Which chloride level is within the normal range?
A. 92 mEq/L
B. 99 mEq/L
C. 111 mEq/L
D. 118 mEq/L
Answer: B. 99 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal chloride levels are typically 95–105 mEq/L.
Which sodium level should the nurse report as hypernatremia?
A. 128 mEq/L
B. 136 mEq/L
C. 144 mEq/L
D. 149 mEq/L
Answer: D. 149 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypernatremia occurs when sodium is above 145 mEq/L.
A potassium level of 5.7 mEq/L indicates:
A. Normal potassium level
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium is above 5.0 mEq/L.
A calcium level of 11.2 mg/dL indicates:
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Normal calcium level
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Hypercalcemia occurs when calcium is above 10.5 mg/dL.
A magnesium level of 3.1 mg/dL indicates:
A. Hypomagnesemia
B. Normal magnesium level
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Hypermagnesemia occurs when magnesium is above 2.5 mg/dL.
A chloride level of 109 mEq/L indicates:
A. Hypochloremia
B. Normal chloride level
C. Hyperchloremia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C. Hyperchloremia
Rationale: Hyperchloremia occurs when chloride is above 106 mEq/L.
A client’s sodium result is 130 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal sodium level
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Critical potassium imbalance
Answer: C. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Hyponatremia means sodium is below 135 mEq/L.
Which potassium value should the nurse identify as hypokalemia?
A. 4.2 mEq/L
B. 3.1 mEq/L
C. 4.9 mEq/L
D. 5.0 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.1 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia means potassium is below 3.5 mEq/L.
Which calcium value should the nurse identify as hypocalcemia?
A. 9.2 mg/dL
B. 10.1 mg/dL
C. 7.8 mg/dL
D. 10.5 mg/dL
Answer: C. 7.8 mg/dL
Rationale: Hypocalcemia means calcium is below 8.5 mg/dL.
Which magnesium value should the nurse identify as hypomagnesemia?
A. 2.0 mg/dL
B. 1.2 mg/dL
C. 2.4 mg/dL
D. 1.8 mg/dL
Answer: B. 1.2 mg/dL
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia means magnesium is below 1.5 mg/dL.
Which chloride value should the nurse identify as hypochloremia?
A. 94 mEq/L
B. 100 mEq/L
C. 103 mEq/L
D. 106 mEq/L
Answer: A. 94 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypochloremia means chloride is below 95 mEq/L.
Which sodium value is considered the highest normal result?
A. 145 mEq/L
B. 150 mEq/L
C. 134 mEq/L
D. 126 mEq/L
Answer: A. 145 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal sodium range ends at 145 mEq/L.
Which potassium level is considered the lowest normal value?
A. 2.8 mEq/L
B. 3.5 mEq/L
C. 5.5 mEq/L
D. 6.1 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.5 mEq/L
Rationale: The normal potassium range begins at 3.5 mEq/L.
Which calcium level is considered the highest normal result?
A. 7.9 mg/dL
B. 8.5 mg/dL
C. 10.5 mg/dL
D. 11.4 mg/dL
Answer: C. 10.5 mg/dL
Rationale: The upper limit of normal calcium is 10.5 mg/dL.
Which magnesium level is considered the highest normal value?
A. 1.5 mg/dL
B. 2.5 mg/dL
C. 3.0 mg/dL
D. 1.0 mg/dL
Answer: B. 2.5 mg/dL
Rationale: The upper limit of normal magnesium is 2.5 mg/dL.
Which chloride level is considered the lowest normal result?
A. 88 mEq/L
B. 96 mEq/L
C. 108 mEq/L
D. 112 mEq/L
Answer: B. 96 mEq/L
Rationale: The lower limit of normal chloride is 96 mEq/L.
The nurse knows which sodium level requires monitoring for possible neurologic symptoms related to low sodium?
A. 142 mEq/L
B. 138 mEq/L
C. 133 mEq/L
D. 145 mEq/L
Answer: C. 133 mEq/L
Rationale: A sodium level below 135 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which may cause confusion, seizures, or headache.
A nurse monitors a client with a potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L for which complication?
A. Vision changes
B. Skin rash
C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Hearing loss
Answer: C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can disrupt heart conduction and lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client with hypocalcemia may experience which symptom?
A. Muscle twitching
B. Bradycardia
C. Weight gain
D. Hearing loss
Answer: A. Muscle twitching
Rationale: Low calcium levels can increase neuromuscular excitability, causing muscle twitching, tingling, or tetany.
client with low magnesium levels is at risk for which complication?
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Blindness
C. Liver failure
D. Hair loss
Answer: A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Rationale: Magnesium plays an important role in cardiac conduction. Low magnesium can lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
Chloride primarily works with which electrolyte to help maintain fluid balance?
A. Calcium
B. Magnesium
C. Sodium
D. Phosphorus
Answer: C. Sodium
Rationale: Chloride works closely with sodium to help regulate fluid balance and osmotic pressure in the body.