1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
Define preload and explain its significance in Preload refers to ventricular end-diastolic volume or pressure just
acute heart failure management. before contraction. In acute heart failure, excessive preload increases
pulmonary congestion and worsens edema. AGACNPs monitor
preload through clinical findings such as jugular venous distention,
crackles, and edema, while interventions may include diuretics and
vasodilators to reduce cardiac workload.
A patient with septic shock has warm flushed skin Systemic vasodilation caused by inflammatory mediators such as nitric
and hypotension. Which pathophysiologic oxide is occurring. This decreases systemic vascular resistance,
process is occurring? resulting in distributive shock characterized by warm extremities during
the early phase.
What is the difference between systolic and Systolic heart failure involves impaired ventricular contraction with
diastolic heart failure? reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), while diastolic heart failure involves
impaired ventricular relaxation and filling despite preserved ejection
fraction (HFpEF). Both may present with dyspnea and edema but differ
in ventricular mechanics.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system Retention. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention,
increases blood pressure primarily through increasing circulating volume and blood pressure.
vasoconstriction and sodium/water __________.
A COPD patient develops elevated PaCO₂ and COPD causes chronic airflow obstruction leading to alveolar
confusion. Explain the pathophysiology. hypoventilation. Carbon dioxide retention results in hypercapnia,
causing respiratory acidosis and neurologic symptoms such as
confusion or lethargy.
What electrolyte abnormality is most commonly Hypokalemia. Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion in the
associated with loop diuretic therapy? kidneys, potentially causing dysrhythmias and muscle weakness.
Hyperventilation always indicates respiratory False. Hyperventilation commonly causes respiratory alkalosis, but if
alkalosis. Explain. tissue hypoxia and lactic acidosis coexist, metabolic acidosis may
predominate despite rapid breathing.
Describe the Starling law of the heart. The Frank-Starling mechanism states that increased ventricular stretch
from higher preload initially increases myocardial contractility and
stroke volume. Excessive stretch eventually reduces efficiency and
contributes to heart failure.
A patient with pancreatitis develops hypotension Hypovolemic shock may develop due to third-spacing of fluids into
and tachycardia. Which type of shock may inflamed tissues, reducing intravascular volume and organ perfusion.
develop?
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
What is afterload? Afterload is the resistance the ventricles must overcome to eject blood
during systole. Increased afterload, such as in hypertension, increases
myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
Which acid-base imbalance is expected in Metabolic alkalosis due to excessive loss of hydrochloric acid from the
prolonged vomiting? stomach.
A diabetic patient presents with Kussmaul Diabetic ketoacidosis causes metabolic acidosis. Kussmaul respirations
respirations. What pathophysiologic process are deep, rapid breaths that compensate by eliminating excess CO₂.
explains this finding?
Define cardiac output and provide its formula. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per
minute. Formula: Cardiac Output = Heart Rate × Stroke Volume.
In cardiogenic shock, tissue hypoperfusion occurs Cardiac.
because of decreased __________ output.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
What occurs during left-sided heart failure? Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation causing pulmonary
edema, crackles, orthopnea, and dyspnea.
What pathophysiologic mechanism causes edema Loss of albumin through damaged glomeruli decreases oncotic
in nephrotic syndrome? pressure, allowing fluid to shift into interstitial tissues.
A trauma patient has cool clammy skin and Sympathetic nervous system activation releases catecholamines,
hypotension. What compensatory mechanism increasing heart rate to maintain perfusion.
explains tachycardia?
What is the primary problem in obstructive shock? Physical obstruction of blood flow, such as pulmonary embolism or
cardiac tamponade, impairing cardiac output.
Define ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch occurs when alveolar ventilation and
pulmonary blood flow are unequal, impairing gas exchange and
causing hypoxemia.
Respiratory acidosis is always caused by kidney False. Respiratory acidosis results primarily from hypoventilation
dysfunction. Explain. causing CO₂ retention. Kidney dysfunction may impair compensation
but is not the primary cause.
What is the hallmark pathophysiology of ARDS? Increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability causing
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and severe hypoxemia.
Page 4
Define preload and explain its significance in Preload refers to ventricular end-diastolic volume or pressure just
acute heart failure management. before contraction. In acute heart failure, excessive preload increases
pulmonary congestion and worsens edema. AGACNPs monitor
preload through clinical findings such as jugular venous distention,
crackles, and edema, while interventions may include diuretics and
vasodilators to reduce cardiac workload.
A patient with septic shock has warm flushed skin Systemic vasodilation caused by inflammatory mediators such as nitric
and hypotension. Which pathophysiologic oxide is occurring. This decreases systemic vascular resistance,
process is occurring? resulting in distributive shock characterized by warm extremities during
the early phase.
What is the difference between systolic and Systolic heart failure involves impaired ventricular contraction with
diastolic heart failure? reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), while diastolic heart failure involves
impaired ventricular relaxation and filling despite preserved ejection
fraction (HFpEF). Both may present with dyspnea and edema but differ
in ventricular mechanics.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system Retention. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention,
increases blood pressure primarily through increasing circulating volume and blood pressure.
vasoconstriction and sodium/water __________.
A COPD patient develops elevated PaCO₂ and COPD causes chronic airflow obstruction leading to alveolar
confusion. Explain the pathophysiology. hypoventilation. Carbon dioxide retention results in hypercapnia,
causing respiratory acidosis and neurologic symptoms such as
confusion or lethargy.
What electrolyte abnormality is most commonly Hypokalemia. Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion in the
associated with loop diuretic therapy? kidneys, potentially causing dysrhythmias and muscle weakness.
Hyperventilation always indicates respiratory False. Hyperventilation commonly causes respiratory alkalosis, but if
alkalosis. Explain. tissue hypoxia and lactic acidosis coexist, metabolic acidosis may
predominate despite rapid breathing.
Describe the Starling law of the heart. The Frank-Starling mechanism states that increased ventricular stretch
from higher preload initially increases myocardial contractility and
stroke volume. Excessive stretch eventually reduces efficiency and
contributes to heart failure.
A patient with pancreatitis develops hypotension Hypovolemic shock may develop due to third-spacing of fluids into
and tachycardia. Which type of shock may inflamed tissues, reducing intravascular volume and organ perfusion.
develop?
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
What is afterload? Afterload is the resistance the ventricles must overcome to eject blood
during systole. Increased afterload, such as in hypertension, increases
myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
Which acid-base imbalance is expected in Metabolic alkalosis due to excessive loss of hydrochloric acid from the
prolonged vomiting? stomach.
A diabetic patient presents with Kussmaul Diabetic ketoacidosis causes metabolic acidosis. Kussmaul respirations
respirations. What pathophysiologic process are deep, rapid breaths that compensate by eliminating excess CO₂.
explains this finding?
Define cardiac output and provide its formula. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per
minute. Formula: Cardiac Output = Heart Rate × Stroke Volume.
In cardiogenic shock, tissue hypoperfusion occurs Cardiac.
because of decreased __________ output.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam
What occurs during left-sided heart failure? Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation causing pulmonary
edema, crackles, orthopnea, and dyspnea.
What pathophysiologic mechanism causes edema Loss of albumin through damaged glomeruli decreases oncotic
in nephrotic syndrome? pressure, allowing fluid to shift into interstitial tissues.
A trauma patient has cool clammy skin and Sympathetic nervous system activation releases catecholamines,
hypotension. What compensatory mechanism increasing heart rate to maintain perfusion.
explains tachycardia?
What is the primary problem in obstructive shock? Physical obstruction of blood flow, such as pulmonary embolism or
cardiac tamponade, impairing cardiac output.
Define ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch occurs when alveolar ventilation and
pulmonary blood flow are unequal, impairing gas exchange and
causing hypoxemia.
Respiratory acidosis is always caused by kidney False. Respiratory acidosis results primarily from hypoventilation
dysfunction. Explain. causing CO₂ retention. Kidney dysfunction may impair compensation
but is not the primary cause.
What is the hallmark pathophysiology of ARDS? Increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability causing
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and severe hypoxemia.
Page 4
