PORTAGE LEARNING NURS 231
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2 EXAM 2026 MASTER
REVISION NOTES AND PRACTICE SET
◉ The charge nurse in the intensive care unit is overseeing care for a
group of clients. The nurse is especially vigilant in collaboration with
the primary nurse and interprofessional team in assessing for ARDS
in which of these clients?
a) Client with acute kidney failure
b) Client with aspiration pneumonia
c) Client with atrial fibrillation
d) Client with DKA. Answer: b) Client with aspiration pneumonia
*Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is characterized by
widespread inflammation in the lungs. Aspiration of acidic gastric
contents promotes inflammation and is a risk for ARDS.
*Clients with DKA may develop metabolic acidosis, but do not
typically ARDS, which develops as a result of lung injury. Atrial
fibrillation does not cause lung injury unless embolization occurs.
Acute kidney failure results in metabolic acidosis, not in acute lung
injury.
◉ The nurse is providing education about the management of
respiratory failure to the family of a client who is receiving
,mechanical ventilation. Which statement reflects the MOST
appropriate info that the nurse will communicate?
a) "Paralytics and sedatives help decrease the demand for oxygen."
b) "Sedation is needed so your loved one does not rip the breathing
tube out."
c) "Suctioning is important to remove organisms from the lower
airway."
d) "We are encouraging oral and IV fluids to keep your loved one
hydrated.". Answer: a) "Paralytics and sedatives help decrease the
demand for oxygen."
*Sedation is needed more for its effects on oxygenation than to
prevent the client from ripping out the endotracheal tube.
Suctioning is performed to remove upper airway secretions and
maintain airway patency. Clients receiving mechanical ventilation
typically receive hydration by enteral tube or parenteral route and
not orally.
◉ The nurse is caring for a client with impending respiratory failure
who refuses intubation and mechanical ventilation. Which
respiratory modality does the nurse suggest to the interdisciplinary
team as an alternative to mechanical ventilation?
a) Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
b) Non-rebreather mask with 100% oxygen
c) Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
,d) Oropharyngeal airway. Answer: *a) Bi-level positive airway
pressure (BiPAP)
* this type of ventilation provides noninvasive pressure support
ventilation by nasal mask or facemask rather than by endotracheal
intubation. Generally, it used for clients with sleep apnea but can
also be used for clients with respiratory muscle fatigue or
impending respiratory failure to avoid more invasive ventilation
methods; this may provide short-term relief of an acute problem.
*A non-rebreather mask will assist with oxygenation; however,
muscle fatigue and hypoventilation may occur as causes of
respiratory failure. The need for PEEP indicates a severe gas-
exchange problem. This modality is "dialed in" on the mechanical
ventilator.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client with possible pulmonary embolism
(PE). For which symptoms consistent with PE will the nurse assess?
(Select all that apply.)
a) Inspiratory chest pain
b) Pink, frothy sputum
c) Tachycardia
d) Shortness of breath (SOB) worsening over the last 2 weeks
e) Dizziness and syncope
f) Productive cough. Answer: a) Inspiratory chest pain
c) Tachycardia
, e) Dizziness and syncope
*s/s of PE include SOB, dyspnea, dizziness, syncope, hypotension,
fainting, hemoptysis, tachycardia, dry cough, and sharp pleuritic,
inspiratory chest pain that develop abruptly rather than gradually
over two weeks.
*Productive cough is associated with infection. Pink, frothy sputum
is characteristic of pulmonary edema.
◉ The nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical surgical
unit. Which clients will the nurse monitor closely for respiratory
failure? (Select all that apply.)
a) Client with a C5 spinal cord injury
b) Client experiencing cocaine intoxication
c) Client with a brainstem tumor
d) Client with acute pancreatitis
e) Client using client-controlled analgesia. Answer: a) Client with a
C5 spinal cord injury
c) Client with a brainstem tumor
d) Client with acute pancreatitis
e) Client using client-controlled analgesia
*Pressure on the brainstem may depress respiratory function. Acute
pancreatitis is a risk factor for ARDS. Clients with cervical and high
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2 EXAM 2026 MASTER
REVISION NOTES AND PRACTICE SET
◉ The charge nurse in the intensive care unit is overseeing care for a
group of clients. The nurse is especially vigilant in collaboration with
the primary nurse and interprofessional team in assessing for ARDS
in which of these clients?
a) Client with acute kidney failure
b) Client with aspiration pneumonia
c) Client with atrial fibrillation
d) Client with DKA. Answer: b) Client with aspiration pneumonia
*Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is characterized by
widespread inflammation in the lungs. Aspiration of acidic gastric
contents promotes inflammation and is a risk for ARDS.
*Clients with DKA may develop metabolic acidosis, but do not
typically ARDS, which develops as a result of lung injury. Atrial
fibrillation does not cause lung injury unless embolization occurs.
Acute kidney failure results in metabolic acidosis, not in acute lung
injury.
◉ The nurse is providing education about the management of
respiratory failure to the family of a client who is receiving
,mechanical ventilation. Which statement reflects the MOST
appropriate info that the nurse will communicate?
a) "Paralytics and sedatives help decrease the demand for oxygen."
b) "Sedation is needed so your loved one does not rip the breathing
tube out."
c) "Suctioning is important to remove organisms from the lower
airway."
d) "We are encouraging oral and IV fluids to keep your loved one
hydrated.". Answer: a) "Paralytics and sedatives help decrease the
demand for oxygen."
*Sedation is needed more for its effects on oxygenation than to
prevent the client from ripping out the endotracheal tube.
Suctioning is performed to remove upper airway secretions and
maintain airway patency. Clients receiving mechanical ventilation
typically receive hydration by enteral tube or parenteral route and
not orally.
◉ The nurse is caring for a client with impending respiratory failure
who refuses intubation and mechanical ventilation. Which
respiratory modality does the nurse suggest to the interdisciplinary
team as an alternative to mechanical ventilation?
a) Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
b) Non-rebreather mask with 100% oxygen
c) Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
,d) Oropharyngeal airway. Answer: *a) Bi-level positive airway
pressure (BiPAP)
* this type of ventilation provides noninvasive pressure support
ventilation by nasal mask or facemask rather than by endotracheal
intubation. Generally, it used for clients with sleep apnea but can
also be used for clients with respiratory muscle fatigue or
impending respiratory failure to avoid more invasive ventilation
methods; this may provide short-term relief of an acute problem.
*A non-rebreather mask will assist with oxygenation; however,
muscle fatigue and hypoventilation may occur as causes of
respiratory failure. The need for PEEP indicates a severe gas-
exchange problem. This modality is "dialed in" on the mechanical
ventilator.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client with possible pulmonary embolism
(PE). For which symptoms consistent with PE will the nurse assess?
(Select all that apply.)
a) Inspiratory chest pain
b) Pink, frothy sputum
c) Tachycardia
d) Shortness of breath (SOB) worsening over the last 2 weeks
e) Dizziness and syncope
f) Productive cough. Answer: a) Inspiratory chest pain
c) Tachycardia
, e) Dizziness and syncope
*s/s of PE include SOB, dyspnea, dizziness, syncope, hypotension,
fainting, hemoptysis, tachycardia, dry cough, and sharp pleuritic,
inspiratory chest pain that develop abruptly rather than gradually
over two weeks.
*Productive cough is associated with infection. Pink, frothy sputum
is characteristic of pulmonary edema.
◉ The nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical surgical
unit. Which clients will the nurse monitor closely for respiratory
failure? (Select all that apply.)
a) Client with a C5 spinal cord injury
b) Client experiencing cocaine intoxication
c) Client with a brainstem tumor
d) Client with acute pancreatitis
e) Client using client-controlled analgesia. Answer: a) Client with a
C5 spinal cord injury
c) Client with a brainstem tumor
d) Client with acute pancreatitis
e) Client using client-controlled analgesia
*Pressure on the brainstem may depress respiratory function. Acute
pancreatitis is a risk factor for ARDS. Clients with cervical and high
