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DHA Renal, Fluids & Electrolytes Practice Questions
This topic combines fluid balance, electrolyte imbalances and kidney care, including dialysis. Many questions include a lab value to interpret. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Fluid balance, dehydration and overload
- Potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium imbalances
- Acid-base interpretation
- Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
- Haemodialysis fistula care and peritoneal dialysis
- Catheter care and UTI prevention
The full bank has 100 renal, fluids & electrolytes questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA renal, fluids & electrolytes questions
1. Which intravenous solution is isotonic?
- A. 0.45% sodium chloride
- B. 3% sodium chloride
- C. 10% dextrose
- D. 0.9% sodium chloride
Show answer and rationale
0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is isotonic. 0.45% saline is hypotonic, and 3% saline and 10% dextrose are hypertonic.
Reference: Standard IV therapy – fluid tonicity
2. A patient receiving an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent for CKD anaemia should be monitored most closely for which adverse effect?
- A. Hypoglycaemia
- B. Hearing loss
- C. Hypertension
- D. Hypokalaemia
Show answer and rationale
ESAs such as epoetin can cause hypertension and increase thrombotic risk, particularly if haemoglobin rises too high or too quickly.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – epoetin alfa
3. A patient with a urinary catheter has had no drainage for 2 hours. What should the nurse check first?
- A. Kinks, loops or compression of the tubing
- B. The patient's serum potassium
- C. The patient's temperature
- D. Whether the bag label is dated
Show answer and rationale
Mechanical obstruction of the tubing is the most common and easily corrected cause of absent drainage and should be checked before assuming oliguria.
Reference: Potter & Perry Fundamentals – urinary catheter care
4. A patient on peritoneal dialysis has cloudy effluent and abdominal pain. The nurse suspects:
- A. Normal dialysate appearance
- B. Fluid overload
- C. Peritonitis
- D. Hypoglycaemia
Show answer and rationale
Cloudy effluent, abdominal pain and fever are classic signs of peritonitis, the most serious common complication of peritoneal dialysis. A sample should be sent for culture.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – peritoneal dialysis
5. Which is the most important safety rule when administering intravenous potassium chloride?
- A. Give it as an IV push over 1 minute
- B. Dilute it and infuse via a pump; never give it as a push
- C. Inject it undiluted into a fast-running IV line
- D. Give it intramuscularly if IV access is difficult
Show answer and rationale
IV potassium must never be given by IV push or bolus because it can cause fatal cardiac arrest. It must be diluted and infused at a controlled rate via a pump.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – potassium chloride
Study tip
Memorise the normal potassium range and the ECG changes of high potassium. It is one of the most common exam questions.
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