Grand Canyon University NSG 320 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Adult
Health I Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines essential hypertension?
A) Elevated blood pressure caused by renal artery stenosis
B) Elevated blood pressure with no specific identifiable cause
C) Elevated blood pressure resulting from hyperaldosteronism
D) Elevated blood pressure caused by pheochromocytoma
Correct Answer: Elevated blood pressure with no specific identifiable cause
Rationale: Essential (primary) hypertension accounts for 90-95% of cases
and has no identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension results from an
underlying condition such as renal disease, hyperaldosteronism, or
pheochromocytoma. Blood pressure is defined as sustained systolic ≥130
mmHg or diastolic ≥80 mmHg.
---
2. A nurse is assessing a patient with newly diagnosed hypertension. Which
pathophysiological mechanism contributes to the development of primary
hypertension?
A) Decreased cardiac output with systemic vasodilation
B) Increased cardiac output, increased systemic vascular resistance, or both
C) Decreased systemic vascular resistance with bradycardia
D) Increased stroke volume with decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: Increased cardiac output, increased systemic vascular
resistance, or both
,Rationale: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by
systemic vascular resistance. Hypertension develops from increased cardiac
output, increased systemic vascular resistance, or both. This understanding
guides both diagnosis and treatment selection.
---
3. A patient with hypertension asks the nurse why lifestyle modifications are
important. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "Lifestyle changes can cure hypertension within a few weeks."
B) "Lifestyle modifications can help control blood pressure and reduce
cardiovascular risk."
C) "Lifestyle changes are only effective if combined with surgical
intervention."
D) "Lifestyle modifications are not effective for essential hypertension."
Correct Answer: "Lifestyle modifications can help control blood pressure and
reduce cardiovascular risk."
Rationale: Lifestyle modifications are a cornerstone of hypertension
management. The AHA's "Life's Simple 7" includes weight reduction, sodium
restriction, increased physical activity, moderation of alcohol, and smoking
cessation. These changes reduce cardiovascular risk and may decrease the
need for antihypertensive medications.
---
4. Which of the following is a potential complication of uncontrolled
hypertension?
A) Left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
B) Decreased risk of stroke
,C) Improved renal function
D) Reduced peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
Rationale: Uncontrolled hypertension causes target organ damage including
left ventricular hypertrophy (from increased cardiac workload), heart failure,
stroke, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Hypertension increases rather than
decreases cardiovascular risk and does not improve renal function.
---
5. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about dietary
modifications. Which food choice indicates the patient understands the
teaching?
A) Canned vegetable soup with crackers
B) Fresh grilled salmon with steamed broccoli
C) Bacon and cheese sandwich
D) Pickles and processed lunch meat
Correct Answer: Fresh grilled salmon with steamed broccoli
Rationale: A low-sodium diet is recommended for hypertension management.
Fresh salmon and steamed broccoli are naturally low in sodium. Canned
soups, processed meats, bacon, cheese, and pickles are high in sodium and
should be limited.
---
, 6. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which of the
following is the prototype thiazide diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Spironolactone
C) Hydrochlorothiazide
D) Metolazone
Correct Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a prototype thiazide diuretic commonly
used as first-line therapy for hypertension. Thiazide diuretics reduce blood
pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion. Furosemide is a loop
diuretic, and spironolactone is potassium-sparing.
---
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an ACE inhibitor to a patient with
hypertension. Which of the following is a prototype ACE inhibitor?
A) Losartan
B) Metoprolol
C) Lisinopril
D) Amlodipine
Correct Answer: Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is a prototype ACE inhibitor used for hypertension. ACE
inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing
vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion. Losartan is an ARB, metoprolol is
a beta blocker, and amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.
Health I Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines essential hypertension?
A) Elevated blood pressure caused by renal artery stenosis
B) Elevated blood pressure with no specific identifiable cause
C) Elevated blood pressure resulting from hyperaldosteronism
D) Elevated blood pressure caused by pheochromocytoma
Correct Answer: Elevated blood pressure with no specific identifiable cause
Rationale: Essential (primary) hypertension accounts for 90-95% of cases
and has no identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension results from an
underlying condition such as renal disease, hyperaldosteronism, or
pheochromocytoma. Blood pressure is defined as sustained systolic ≥130
mmHg or diastolic ≥80 mmHg.
---
2. A nurse is assessing a patient with newly diagnosed hypertension. Which
pathophysiological mechanism contributes to the development of primary
hypertension?
A) Decreased cardiac output with systemic vasodilation
B) Increased cardiac output, increased systemic vascular resistance, or both
C) Decreased systemic vascular resistance with bradycardia
D) Increased stroke volume with decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: Increased cardiac output, increased systemic vascular
resistance, or both
,Rationale: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by
systemic vascular resistance. Hypertension develops from increased cardiac
output, increased systemic vascular resistance, or both. This understanding
guides both diagnosis and treatment selection.
---
3. A patient with hypertension asks the nurse why lifestyle modifications are
important. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "Lifestyle changes can cure hypertension within a few weeks."
B) "Lifestyle modifications can help control blood pressure and reduce
cardiovascular risk."
C) "Lifestyle changes are only effective if combined with surgical
intervention."
D) "Lifestyle modifications are not effective for essential hypertension."
Correct Answer: "Lifestyle modifications can help control blood pressure and
reduce cardiovascular risk."
Rationale: Lifestyle modifications are a cornerstone of hypertension
management. The AHA's "Life's Simple 7" includes weight reduction, sodium
restriction, increased physical activity, moderation of alcohol, and smoking
cessation. These changes reduce cardiovascular risk and may decrease the
need for antihypertensive medications.
---
4. Which of the following is a potential complication of uncontrolled
hypertension?
A) Left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
B) Decreased risk of stroke
,C) Improved renal function
D) Reduced peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
Rationale: Uncontrolled hypertension causes target organ damage including
left ventricular hypertrophy (from increased cardiac workload), heart failure,
stroke, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Hypertension increases rather than
decreases cardiovascular risk and does not improve renal function.
---
5. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about dietary
modifications. Which food choice indicates the patient understands the
teaching?
A) Canned vegetable soup with crackers
B) Fresh grilled salmon with steamed broccoli
C) Bacon and cheese sandwich
D) Pickles and processed lunch meat
Correct Answer: Fresh grilled salmon with steamed broccoli
Rationale: A low-sodium diet is recommended for hypertension management.
Fresh salmon and steamed broccoli are naturally low in sodium. Canned
soups, processed meats, bacon, cheese, and pickles are high in sodium and
should be limited.
---
, 6. A patient with hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which of the
following is the prototype thiazide diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Spironolactone
C) Hydrochlorothiazide
D) Metolazone
Correct Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a prototype thiazide diuretic commonly
used as first-line therapy for hypertension. Thiazide diuretics reduce blood
pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion. Furosemide is a loop
diuretic, and spironolactone is potassium-sparing.
---
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an ACE inhibitor to a patient with
hypertension. Which of the following is a prototype ACE inhibitor?
A) Losartan
B) Metoprolol
C) Lisinopril
D) Amlodipine
Correct Answer: Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is a prototype ACE inhibitor used for hypertension. ACE
inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing
vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion. Losartan is an ARB, metoprolol is
a beta blocker, and amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.
