American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AACN Certification Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the normal range of serum osmolality?

200-250 mOsm/kg
250-300 mOsm/kg
285-300 mOsm/kg
300-350 mOsm/kg

The correct answer is: 285-300 mOsm/kg

The normal range of serum osmolality is accurately represented by values between 285 and 300 mOsm/kg. Serum osmolality is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood, including electrolytes, glucose, and urea. Maintaining serum osmolality within this normal range is crucial for physiological functions, as it affects fluid balance, electrolyte homeostasis, and overall cellular function. Values below 285 mOsm/kg indicate hypotonicity, which can lead to cell swelling and potentially disrupt cellular function. Conversely, values above 300 mOsm/kg suggest hypertonicity, which can cause cell shrinkage, dehydration, and can also lead to serious cellular disturbances. Thus, the specified range reflects the body's regulatory mechanisms and is essential for optimal physiological processes.