GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Advanced Pathophysiology — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Cardiovascular Disorders, Cardiac Rhythms, &
Emergency Management
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Advanced Pathophysiology — Cardiovascular Disorders & Cardiac
Rhythms
1 Which patient populations are commonly affected by infectious endocarditis?
A IV drug users, valve replacement patients, compromised immunity patients, and
those with cardiac structural defects
B Patients with hypertension and diabetes
C Patients with asthma and COPD
D Patients with arthritis and osteoporosis
Why A is correct: Infectious endocarditis commonly affects IV drug users, patients with
valve replacements, compromised immunity, and those with cardiac structural defects.
B — Hypertension and diabetes are not primary risk factors for infectious endocarditis.
C — Asthma and COPD are respiratory conditions, not cardiac.
D — Arthritis and osteoporosis are not risk factors for endocarditis.
,2 Which medications are used in the management of cardiac tamponade?
A Lisinopril and metoprolol
B Warfarin and heparin
C Dobutamine, volume expansion fluids, and dextran
D Nitroglycerin and aspirin
Why C is correct: Cardiac tamponade is managed with dobutamine (adrenergic to increase
HR and BP), volume expansion fluids, and dextran.
A — Lisinopril and metoprolol are not used for cardiac tamponade.
B — Anticoagulants are contraindicated in tamponade.
D — Nitroglycerin would worsen hypotension in tamponade.
3 What is the definition of stenosis?
A Narrowing
B Widening
C Thickening
D Weakening
Why A is correct: Stenosis is defined as narrowing of a vessel or valve.
B — Widening is the opposite of stenosis (aneurysm).
C — Thickening is not the definition of stenosis.
D — Weakening is not the definition of stenosis.
, 4 What is the normal cholesterol level?
A 100–150 mg/dL
B <200 mg/dL
C 200–250 mg/dL
D 250–300 mg/dL
Why B is correct: Normal total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL.
A — 100–150 is below normal.
C — 200–250 is borderline high.
D — 250–300 is high.
5 What is the normal range for triglycerides in males?
A 35–135 mg/dL
B 40–160 mg/dL
C <200 mg/dL
D >45 mg/dL
Why B is correct: Normal triglycerides for males are 40–160 mg/dL.
A — This is the normal range for females (35–135).
C — This is the normal cholesterol level.
D — This is the normal HDL level for males.
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Advanced Pathophysiology — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Cardiovascular Disorders, Cardiac Rhythms, &
Emergency Management
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Advanced Pathophysiology — Cardiovascular Disorders & Cardiac
Rhythms
1 Which patient populations are commonly affected by infectious endocarditis?
A IV drug users, valve replacement patients, compromised immunity patients, and
those with cardiac structural defects
B Patients with hypertension and diabetes
C Patients with asthma and COPD
D Patients with arthritis and osteoporosis
Why A is correct: Infectious endocarditis commonly affects IV drug users, patients with
valve replacements, compromised immunity, and those with cardiac structural defects.
B — Hypertension and diabetes are not primary risk factors for infectious endocarditis.
C — Asthma and COPD are respiratory conditions, not cardiac.
D — Arthritis and osteoporosis are not risk factors for endocarditis.
,2 Which medications are used in the management of cardiac tamponade?
A Lisinopril and metoprolol
B Warfarin and heparin
C Dobutamine, volume expansion fluids, and dextran
D Nitroglycerin and aspirin
Why C is correct: Cardiac tamponade is managed with dobutamine (adrenergic to increase
HR and BP), volume expansion fluids, and dextran.
A — Lisinopril and metoprolol are not used for cardiac tamponade.
B — Anticoagulants are contraindicated in tamponade.
D — Nitroglycerin would worsen hypotension in tamponade.
3 What is the definition of stenosis?
A Narrowing
B Widening
C Thickening
D Weakening
Why A is correct: Stenosis is defined as narrowing of a vessel or valve.
B — Widening is the opposite of stenosis (aneurysm).
C — Thickening is not the definition of stenosis.
D — Weakening is not the definition of stenosis.
, 4 What is the normal cholesterol level?
A 100–150 mg/dL
B <200 mg/dL
C 200–250 mg/dL
D 250–300 mg/dL
Why B is correct: Normal total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL.
A — 100–150 is below normal.
C — 200–250 is borderline high.
D — 250–300 is high.
5 What is the normal range for triglycerides in males?
A 35–135 mg/dL
B 40–160 mg/dL
C <200 mg/dL
D >45 mg/dL
Why B is correct: Normal triglycerides for males are 40–160 mg/dL.
A — This is the normal range for females (35–135).
C — This is the normal cholesterol level.
D — This is the normal HDL level for males.
