NURS 320
FINAL EXAM
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
(Health and Illness Concepts I)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from FINAL Exam of NURS 320 at
Drexel University. It covers core topics assessed in
the course and reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. Which tests can the nurse anticipate will be ordered for the patient admitted with
chest pain and dyspnea? Select all that apply.
a. Troponin
b. D-Dimer
c. Electrolytes
d. Albumin
Correct Answer:
a, b, and c
Expert Explanation:
Chest pain and dyspnea can indicate myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or
electrolyte-related cardiac instability. Troponin evaluates myocardial injury, D-dimer
screens for clot formation, and electrolytes help identify dysrhythmia risks.
2. Which diagnostic test can the nurse expect the health care provider will order first
for the patient with a heart murmur?
a. Echocardiogram
b. Holter monitor
c. Cardiac catheterization
d. Stress test
Correct Answer:
a. Echocardiogram
Expert Explanation:
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to evaluate valve structure, blood flow, chamber
size, and cardiac function. It is the primary diagnostic test for evaluating murmurs.
3. The nurse is conducting a patient assessment. The patient tells the nurse that he has
smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 27 years. Which assessment can the nurse
expect to find in this patient?
a. Bounding pulse
b. Night blindness
,c. Pupil dilate
d. Elevated blood pressure
Correct Answer:
d. Elevated blood pressure
Expert Explanation:
Smoking stimulates sympathetic activity and causes vasoconstriction, endothelial injury,
and vascular stiffness. These effects increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
4. The nurse is evaluating a patient's knowledge about cholesterol maintenance.
Which statement by the patient requires correction?
a. "I need to keep my LDL cholesterol higher than 100 mg/dL."
b. "My HDL cholesterol is good and should be as high as possible."
c. "It is good if my total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL."
d. "My triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL."
Correct Answer:
a. "I need to keep my LDL cholesterol higher than 100 mg/dL."
Expert Explanation:
LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Lower LDL levels reduce cardiovascular risk.
5. Which statement by the nursing student warrants intervention by the instructor?
Central Perfusion....
a. begins when the heart is stimulated by an electrical impulse
b. involves the body's ability to maintain cardiac output
c. involves blood flowing through arteries and capillaries to the target organs
d. is impacted by preload and afterload
Correct Answer:
c. involves blood flowing through arteries and capillaries to the target organs
Expert Explanation:
Central perfusion focuses on the heart’s ability to pump blood and maintain cardiac
, output. Blood flow through arteries and capillaries to tissues is more closely related to
tissue/peripheral perfusion.
6. Which assessment findings are considered modifiable risk factors for cardiac
disease? Select all that apply.
a. obesity
b. smoking
c. parent dies of heart attack at 55 years of age
d. diabetes mellitus
e. female 60 years of age
Correct Answer:
a, b, and d
Expert Explanation:
Obesity, smoking, and diabetes mellitus are modifiable or manageable risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Age, sex, and family history are nonmodifiable.
7. Which assessment is essential for the nurse to complete immediately following a
transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)?
a. Check pedal pulses
b. Monitor urine output
c. Check gag reflex
d. Complete a neuro assessment
Correct Answer:
c. Check gag reflex
Expert Explanation:
During TEE, the throat is anesthetized. The nurse must confirm return of the gag reflex
before oral intake to reduce aspiration risk.
8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a patient who is scheduled to have an
exercise electrocardiography test?
FINAL EXAM
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
(Health and Illness Concepts I)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from FINAL Exam of NURS 320 at
Drexel University. It covers core topics assessed in
the course and reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. Which tests can the nurse anticipate will be ordered for the patient admitted with
chest pain and dyspnea? Select all that apply.
a. Troponin
b. D-Dimer
c. Electrolytes
d. Albumin
Correct Answer:
a, b, and c
Expert Explanation:
Chest pain and dyspnea can indicate myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or
electrolyte-related cardiac instability. Troponin evaluates myocardial injury, D-dimer
screens for clot formation, and electrolytes help identify dysrhythmia risks.
2. Which diagnostic test can the nurse expect the health care provider will order first
for the patient with a heart murmur?
a. Echocardiogram
b. Holter monitor
c. Cardiac catheterization
d. Stress test
Correct Answer:
a. Echocardiogram
Expert Explanation:
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to evaluate valve structure, blood flow, chamber
size, and cardiac function. It is the primary diagnostic test for evaluating murmurs.
3. The nurse is conducting a patient assessment. The patient tells the nurse that he has
smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 27 years. Which assessment can the nurse
expect to find in this patient?
a. Bounding pulse
b. Night blindness
,c. Pupil dilate
d. Elevated blood pressure
Correct Answer:
d. Elevated blood pressure
Expert Explanation:
Smoking stimulates sympathetic activity and causes vasoconstriction, endothelial injury,
and vascular stiffness. These effects increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
4. The nurse is evaluating a patient's knowledge about cholesterol maintenance.
Which statement by the patient requires correction?
a. "I need to keep my LDL cholesterol higher than 100 mg/dL."
b. "My HDL cholesterol is good and should be as high as possible."
c. "It is good if my total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL."
d. "My triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL."
Correct Answer:
a. "I need to keep my LDL cholesterol higher than 100 mg/dL."
Expert Explanation:
LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Lower LDL levels reduce cardiovascular risk.
5. Which statement by the nursing student warrants intervention by the instructor?
Central Perfusion....
a. begins when the heart is stimulated by an electrical impulse
b. involves the body's ability to maintain cardiac output
c. involves blood flowing through arteries and capillaries to the target organs
d. is impacted by preload and afterload
Correct Answer:
c. involves blood flowing through arteries and capillaries to the target organs
Expert Explanation:
Central perfusion focuses on the heart’s ability to pump blood and maintain cardiac
, output. Blood flow through arteries and capillaries to tissues is more closely related to
tissue/peripheral perfusion.
6. Which assessment findings are considered modifiable risk factors for cardiac
disease? Select all that apply.
a. obesity
b. smoking
c. parent dies of heart attack at 55 years of age
d. diabetes mellitus
e. female 60 years of age
Correct Answer:
a, b, and d
Expert Explanation:
Obesity, smoking, and diabetes mellitus are modifiable or manageable risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Age, sex, and family history are nonmodifiable.
7. Which assessment is essential for the nurse to complete immediately following a
transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)?
a. Check pedal pulses
b. Monitor urine output
c. Check gag reflex
d. Complete a neuro assessment
Correct Answer:
c. Check gag reflex
Expert Explanation:
During TEE, the throat is anesthetized. The nurse must confirm return of the gag reflex
before oral intake to reduce aspiration risk.
8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a patient who is scheduled to have an
exercise electrocardiography test?
