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SNLE 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 Saudi Nursing Licensure Exam (SNLE), 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 SNLE renal, fluids & electrolytes questions
1. Which general advice helps prevent recurrence of most types of kidney stone?
- A. Limit fluids to reduce urine volume
- B. Take high-dose calcium supplements with every meal
- C. Drink enough fluid to produce about 2–3 litres of urine a day
- D. Increase intake of salty foods
Show answer and rationale
High fluid intake to produce dilute urine (at least 2–2.5 litres of urine daily) is the key preventive measure for all stone types. High sodium intake increases calcium stone risk, and calcium should not be restricted or supplemented without advice.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – urinary calculi
2. A patient with BPH is prescribed tamsulosin. Which teaching point is most important?
- A. Take it with grapefruit juice
- B. Rise slowly because of dizziness and postural hypotension
- C. It will shrink the prostate within 24 hours
- D. Stop it if urine flow improves
Show answer and rationale
Alpha-blockers relax prostate and bladder-neck smooth muscle but can cause orthostatic hypotension and dizziness, especially after the first dose.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – tamsulosin
3. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis is breathing deeply and rapidly. The nurse understands this breathing pattern is:
- A. A sign of respiratory acidosis
- B. Caused by metabolic alkalosis
- C. Kussmaul respirations compensating for metabolic acidosis
- D. An early sign of opioid toxicity
Show answer and rationale
Kussmaul breathing blows off carbon dioxide to raise the pH in metabolic acidosis, a respiratory compensation.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – metabolic acidosis
4. Which condition commonly causes metabolic acidosis through loss of bicarbonate?
- A. Nasogastric suction
- B. Excessive antacid use
- C. Hyperventilation from anxiety
- D. Severe diarrhoea
Show answer and rationale
Diarrhoea causes loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal fluid, leading to metabolic acidosis. Nasogastric suction and antacid excess cause metabolic alkalosis.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – metabolic acidosis
5. A patient recovering from acute kidney injury enters the diuretic phase with a urine output of 4 litres per day. What should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Hyperkalaemia and pulmonary oedema
- B. Dehydration, hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia
- C. Rising blood pressure
- D. Uraemic pericarditis
Show answer and rationale
In the diuretic phase large volumes of dilute urine are lost, risking hypovolaemia and losses of potassium and sodium.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – acute kidney injury
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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