NSG 3850 (Pathophysiology for Nurses II) – Exam 2 Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales (Pathophysiology II: Respiratory & Cardiac)

NSG 3850 (Pathophysiology for Nurses II) – Exam 2 Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales (Pathophysiology II:
Respiratory & Cardiac)



NSG 3850 (Pathophysiology for Nurses II) – Exam 2, the test typically covers Unit 3:
Alterations in Oxygenation (Respiratory) and Unit 4: Alterations in Perfusion
(Cardiovascular).

1. Respiratory (Oxygenation) – High-Yield Topics

Pleural Effusion & Pneumothorax

 Pleural effusion: pathologic fluid/pus in pleural space due to imbalance in formation
vs removal.

 Pneumothorax: air in pleural space; lung collapses.

 Tension pneumothorax: tracheal deviation, severe dyspnea, hypotension,
tachycardia; medical emergency.

Obstructive Lung Diseases

 Chronic bronchitis: chronic productive cough, recurrent infections,
smokers/chemical exposure; cyanosis, edema, polycythemia.

 Emphysema: loss of alveolar elasticity, air trapping, barrel chest, clubbing, dyspnea,
wheezing; minimal crackles/rhonchi.

 Asthma: reversible bronchoconstriction, wheezing, cough, dyspnea; triggers include
allergens, exercise, cold air.

,  COPD (chronic): persistent airflow limitation, hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis (pH
<7.35, ↑CO₂).

Infections & Inflammation

 Pneumonia: infiltrates on X-ray, fever, cough, crackles; sputum culture for organism.

 TB (tuberculosis): acid-fast bacilli in sputum; risk of reactivation; chronic cough,
weight loss, night sweats.

 Acute bronchitis: recent onset cough, low-grade fever, sore throat; usually viral,
self-limiting.

 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: antigen–antibody reaction, often in non-smokers;
can lead to diffuse pulmonary fibrosis.

Other Pulmonary Conditions

 Sarcoidosis: granulomatous disease, mostly lungs/lymph nodes;
hepatosplenomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, dry cough, fatigue, fever.

 Pulmonary function changes: hypoxic hypoxia (high altitude, obstruction,
hypoventilation), hyperventilation (pain, fever, anxiety, sepsis, high altitude).



2. Cardiovascular (Perfusion) – High-Yield Topics

Heart Failure

 Left-sided HF: blood backs up into lungs → crackles, cough, dyspnea, cyanosis;
forward effects: fatigue, oliguria, weak pulses, confusion, tachycardia.

 Right-sided HF: blood backs up into body → JVD, peripheral edema,
hepatosplenomegaly; decreased cardiac output and perfusion.

,  Left-sided failure often progresses to right-sided failure.

Ischemic Heart Disease

 Myocardial infarction (MI): coronary artery occlusion/clot → tissue death.

 Angina: chest/back pain, fatigue, weakness; no tissue death; lifestyle modification
teaching is key.

Valvular Disorders

 Mitral stenosis: low-pitched diastolic murmur; can cause pulmonary venous
hypertension.

 Mitral regurgitation: pansystolic murmur.

 Aortic stenosis: calcified valve, difficulty ejecting blood; low systolic BP, angina,
syncope, fatigue.

Peripheral Vascular & Other CV Issues

 Hypertension: often asymptomatic; long-term risk for stroke, MI, kidney disease.

 Buerger’s disease: vasculitis in smokers; cold, painful extremities, ulcers, dry/thin
skin.

 Peripheral arterial disease: diminished pulses, pallor, pain with exertion
(intermittent claudication).



3. Labs, ABGs, and Diagnostics

 ABGs in COPD/chronic retention: pH <7.35, ↑PaCO₂, compensatory ↑HCO₃⁻
(chronic respiratory acidosis).

 Pneumonia diagnostics: chest X-ray (infiltrates), sputum culture & sensitivity.