NURS 480 Exam 3 V1 | NURS 480
Advanced Medical Surgical Health Nursing
| Actual Q&A with Rationale (NURS480
Exam 3) | West Coast University
1. A nurse is calculating the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient with a blood pressure
of 90/60 mmHg. Which value is correct?
A. 60 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 75 mmHg
D. 70 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: The formula for Mean Arterial Pressure is (Systolic BP + 2 x Diastolic BP)
divided by 3. In this case, (90 + 120) / 3 equals 70 mmHg. Maintaining a MAP of at least 65
mmHg is essential for ensuring adequate perfusion to vital organs like the kidneys and
brain.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter is the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status in the
right atrium?
A. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
B. Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
,C. Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
D. Cardiac Index (CI)
Answer: B
Rationale: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) measures the pressure in the right atrium and
reflects right ventricular end-diastolic volume. Normal CVP ranges from 2 to 6 mmHg
depending on the clinical source. Elevated levels typically indicate fluid volume overload or
right-sided heart failure.
3. A patient in septic shock has a low Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR). Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering first to increase SVR?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Nitroprusside
C. Dobutamine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor used in septic shock to increase
Systemic Vascular Resistance. It works primarily on alpha-adrenergic receptors to cause
vasoconstriction and improve blood pressure. Adequate fluid resuscitation must be
initiated before or during vasopressor therapy.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP) of 22
mmHg. Which clinical manifestation is most likely?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dehydration
C. Flat neck veins
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: A PAWP of 22 mmHg is significantly elevated, as the normal range is 4 to 12
mmHg. This elevation indicates left-sided heart failure or fluid overload, leading to
pulmonary congestion. The nurse should expect to hear crackles upon auscultation due to
pulmonary edema.
5. A patient’s cardiac output is 4.0 L/min and the Body Surface Area (BSA) is 2.0 m². What is
the calculated Cardiac Index (CI)?
A. 4.0 L/min/m²
B. 8.0 L/min/m²
C. 1.0 L/min/m²
D. 2.0 L/min/m²
Answer: D
Advanced Medical Surgical Health Nursing
| Actual Q&A with Rationale (NURS480
Exam 3) | West Coast University
1. A nurse is calculating the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient with a blood pressure
of 90/60 mmHg. Which value is correct?
A. 60 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 75 mmHg
D. 70 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: The formula for Mean Arterial Pressure is (Systolic BP + 2 x Diastolic BP)
divided by 3. In this case, (90 + 120) / 3 equals 70 mmHg. Maintaining a MAP of at least 65
mmHg is essential for ensuring adequate perfusion to vital organs like the kidneys and
brain.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter is the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status in the
right atrium?
A. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
B. Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
,C. Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
D. Cardiac Index (CI)
Answer: B
Rationale: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) measures the pressure in the right atrium and
reflects right ventricular end-diastolic volume. Normal CVP ranges from 2 to 6 mmHg
depending on the clinical source. Elevated levels typically indicate fluid volume overload or
right-sided heart failure.
3. A patient in septic shock has a low Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR). Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering first to increase SVR?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Nitroprusside
C. Dobutamine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor used in septic shock to increase
Systemic Vascular Resistance. It works primarily on alpha-adrenergic receptors to cause
vasoconstriction and improve blood pressure. Adequate fluid resuscitation must be
initiated before or during vasopressor therapy.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a patient with a Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP) of 22
mmHg. Which clinical manifestation is most likely?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dehydration
C. Flat neck veins
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: A PAWP of 22 mmHg is significantly elevated, as the normal range is 4 to 12
mmHg. This elevation indicates left-sided heart failure or fluid overload, leading to
pulmonary congestion. The nurse should expect to hear crackles upon auscultation due to
pulmonary edema.
5. A patient’s cardiac output is 4.0 L/min and the Body Surface Area (BSA) is 2.0 m². What is
the calculated Cardiac Index (CI)?
A. 4.0 L/min/m²
B. 8.0 L/min/m²
C. 1.0 L/min/m²
D. 2.0 L/min/m²
Answer: D
