Phosphorous
Which phosphorus level is within the normal range?
A. 1.8 mg/dL
B. 2.6 mg/dL
C. 5.2 mg/dL
D. 6.0 mg/dL
Answer: B. 2.6 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal phosphorus levels are typically 2.5–4.5 mg/dL.
Which albumin level is within the normal range?
A. 2.1 g/dL
B. 3.8 g/dL
C. 5.6 g/dL
D. 6.2 g/dL
Answer: B. 3.8 g/dL
Rationale: Normal albumin levels are typically 3.5–5.5 g/dL.
Which creatinine level is within the normal range?
A. 0.9 mg/dL
B. 1.8 mg/dL
C. 2.5 mg/dL
D. 3.1 mg/dL
Answer: A. 0.9 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal creatinine levels are typically 0.6–1.2 mg/dL.
Which BUN level is within the normal range?
A. 4 mg/dL
B. 12 mg/dL
C. 28 mg/dL
D. 35 mg/dL
Answer: B. 12 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) levels are typically 7–20 mg/dL.
Which GFR value is considered normal kidney function?
A. 22 mL/min
B. 45 mL/min
C. 91 mL/min
D. 58 mL/min
Answer: C. 91 mL/min
Rationale: A normal GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is typically 90 - 120 mL/min.
A phosphorus level of 5.4 mg/dL indicates:
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Normal phosphorus level
C. Hyperphosphatemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C. Hyperphosphatemia
Rationale: Hyperphosphatemia occurs when phosphorus is above 4.5 mg/dL.
A client’s albumin level is 2.9 g/dL. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Hyperalbuminemia
B. Normal albumin level
C. Hypoalbuminemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C. Hypoalbuminemia
Rationale: Hypoalbuminemia occurs when albumin is below 3.5 g/dL.
A creatinine level of 2.2 mg/dL indicates:
A. Normal kidney function
B. Low potassium
C. Elevated creatinine level
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C. Elevated creatinine level
Rationale: A creatinine level above 1.2 mg/dL may indicate impaired kidney function.
A BUN level of 26 mg/dL indicates:
A. Low BUN level
B. Normal kidney function
C. Elevated BUN level
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C. Elevated BUN level
Rationale: A BUN level above 20 mg/dL is considered elevated and may suggest dehydration or kidney dysfunction.
A GFR of 52 mL/min indicates:
A. Normal kidney function
B. Mild to moderate decrease in kidney function
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Liver failure
Answer: B. Mild to moderate decrease in kidney function
Rationale: A GFR below 60 mL/min may indicate chronic kidney disease or decreased kidney function.
Which phosphorus value should the nurse identify as hypophosphatemia?
A. 3.2 mg/dL
B. 4.1 mg/dL
C. 2.0 mg/dL
D. 4.5 mg/dL
Answer: C. 2.0 mg/dL
Rationale: Hypophosphatemia means phosphorus is below 2.5 mg/dL.
Which albumin value is considered the highest normal result?
A. 2.8 g/dL
B. 3.5 g/dL
C. 5.0 g/dL
D. 5.8 g/dL
Answer: C. 5.0 g/dL
Rationale: The upper limit of normal albumin is 5.5 g/dL.
Which creatinine value should the nurse identify as the highest normal result?
A. 0.4 mg/dL
B. 1.3 mg/dL
C. 2.0 mg/dL
D. 3.5 mg/dL
Answer: B. 1.3 mg/dL
Rationale: The upper limit of normal creatinine is approximately 1.2 mg/dL.
Which BUN value should the nurse identify as the lowest normal result?
A. 3 mg/dL
B. 7 mg/dL
C. 22 mg/dL
D. 30 mg/dL
Answer: B. 7 mg/dL
Rationale: The lower limit of normal BUN is approximately 7 mg/dL.
Which GFR value would require immediate nursing attention?
A. 95 mL/min
B. 88 mL/min
C. 72 mL/min
D. 18 mL/min
Answer: D. 18 mL/min
Rationale: A GFR below 15–20 mL/min indicates severe kidney impairment and possible kidney failure.
Which phosphorus level is considered the highest normal value?
A. 1.9 mg/dL
B. 2.5 mg/dL
C. 4.5 mg/dL
D. 5.3 mg/dL
Answer: C. 4.5 mg/dL
Rationale: The upper limit of normal phosphorus is 4.5 mg/dL.
A nurse notes a client’s albumin level is 5.4 g/dL. This finding suggests:
A. Hypoalbuminemia
B. Hyperalbuminemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hyperalbuminemia
Rationale: Hyperalbuminemia occurs when albumin is above 5.0 g/dL, often related to dehydration.
A client with elevated creatinine should be assessed closely for problems related to:
A. Kidney function
B. Vision changes
C. Skin infections
D. Hearing loss
Answer: A. Kidney function
Rationale: Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels may signal decreased kidney filtration.
A client with an elevated BUN should be monitored closely for issues related to:
A. Kidney function and hydration
B. Vision changes
C. Bone fractures
D. Hearing loss
Answer: A. Kidney function and hydration
Rationale: BUN reflects waste removal by the kidneys and can rise with dehydration or impaired renal function.
Which GFR level is considered the lowest normal result?
A. 30 mL/min
B. 60 mL/min
C. 90 mL/min
D. 120 mL/min
Answer: C. 90 mL/min
Rationale: Normal kidney filtration is generally considered 90 mL/min or greater.
Phosphorus is important for which body function?
A. Blood clotting only
B. Energy production and bone health
C. Vision improvement
D. Hair growth
Answer: B. Energy production and bone health
Rationale: Phosphorus helps form bones and teeth and plays a major role in cellular energy production (ATP).
Albumin primarily helps the body by:
A. Carrying oxygen in red blood cells
B. Building white blood cells
C. Maintaining fluid balance in the bloodstream
D. Producing insulin
Answer: C. Maintaining fluid balance in the bloodstream
Rationale: Albumin helps maintain oncotic pressure, which keeps fluid inside blood vessels and prevents excess swelling.
Which creatinine level would require the nurse’s immediate attention?
A. 0.8 mg/dL
B. 1.1 mg/dL
C. 1.2 mg/dL
D. 3.8 mg/dL
Answer: D. 3.8 mg/dL
Rationale: A creatinine level of 3.8 mg/dL is significantly elevated and may indicate severe kidney impairment.
Which BUN level would require the nurse’s immediate attention?
A. 10 mg/dL
B. 15 mg/dL
C. 18 mg/dL
D. 42 mg/dL
Answer: D. 42 mg/dL
Rationale: A BUN level of 42 mg/dL is significantly elevated and may indicate serious kidney impairment or severe dehydration.
The nurse knows GFR is primarily used to evaluate:
A. Liver function
B. Lung capacity
C. Kidney filtering ability
D. Heart rhythm
Answer: C. Kidney filtering ability
Rationale: GFR measures how effectively the kidneys filter waste products from the blood.