,NUR 265 Exam 2 Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. A patient suddenly develops dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain,
tachycardia, and anxiety after several days of immobility. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Pleural effusion
D) Stable asthma
Correct Answer: A) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain in a patient with a
thromboembolic risk factor are classic findings of pulmonary embolism.
Q2. Which assessment finding is most concerning for a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Gradual weight gain
B) Sudden unexplained dyspnea
C) Chronic productive cough
D) Mild ankle edema
Correct Answer: B) Sudden unexplained dyspnea
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism commonly produces an abrupt onset of
respiratory distress because pulmonary blood flow is suddenly obstructed.
Q3. What mechanism primarily causes impaired oxygenation during
a pulmonary embolism?
A) Increased alveolar ventilation
B) Excessive oxygen diffusion
C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
D) Increased hemoglobin production
Correct Answer: C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Rationale: An embolus blocks pulmonary perfusion to ventilated alveoli,
creating areas where ventilation occurs without adequate blood flow.
,Q4. Which patient has the greatest risk for developing a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Patient who walks several times daily
B) Patient with controlled hypertension
C) Patient with seasonal allergies
D) Patient who is immobile after major surgery
Correct Answer: D) Patient who is immobile after major surgery
Rationale: Immobility and surgery increase venous stasis and
thromboembolic risk.
Q5. Which assessment finding may accompany a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Hemoptysis
B) Bradycardia
C) Severe hypothermia
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: A) Hemoptysis
Rationale: Pulmonary vascular injury can cause coughing and blood-
streaked or bloody sputum.
Q6. A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly
becomes hypotensive and confused. What is the priority?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Support oxygenation and initiate emergency treatment
C) Place the patient in a walking position
D) Delay intervention until imaging is completed
Correct Answer: B) Support oxygenation and initiate emergency treatment
Rationale: Hypotension and altered mental status indicate compromised
cardiopulmonary perfusion and require immediate stabilization.
, Q7. Which diagnostic test is commonly used to visualize pulmonary
emboli?
A) Colonoscopy
B) Electroencephalogram
C) CT pulmonary angiography
D) Bone scan
Correct Answer: C) CT pulmonary angiography
Rationale: CT pulmonary angiography can directly demonstrate pulmonary
arterial obstruction in appropriate patients.
Q8. A patient receiving unfractionated heparin develops a
significant decrease in platelet count and a new thrombosis. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Disseminated intravascular coagulation
B) Iron-deficiency anemia
C) Vitamin K deficiency
D) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: D) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Rationale: HIT is an immune-mediated reaction to heparin that causes
thrombocytopenia with an increased risk of thrombosis.
Q9. Which medication reverses the anticoagulant effect of
unfractionated heparin?
A) Protamine sulfate
B) Vitamin K
C) Naloxone
D) Acetylcysteine
Correct Answer: A) Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin and neutralizes its
anticoagulant effect.
Q10. Which medication is used to reverse the effect of warfarin?
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. A patient suddenly develops dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain,
tachycardia, and anxiety after several days of immobility. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Pleural effusion
D) Stable asthma
Correct Answer: A) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain in a patient with a
thromboembolic risk factor are classic findings of pulmonary embolism.
Q2. Which assessment finding is most concerning for a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Gradual weight gain
B) Sudden unexplained dyspnea
C) Chronic productive cough
D) Mild ankle edema
Correct Answer: B) Sudden unexplained dyspnea
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism commonly produces an abrupt onset of
respiratory distress because pulmonary blood flow is suddenly obstructed.
Q3. What mechanism primarily causes impaired oxygenation during
a pulmonary embolism?
A) Increased alveolar ventilation
B) Excessive oxygen diffusion
C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
D) Increased hemoglobin production
Correct Answer: C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Rationale: An embolus blocks pulmonary perfusion to ventilated alveoli,
creating areas where ventilation occurs without adequate blood flow.
,Q4. Which patient has the greatest risk for developing a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Patient who walks several times daily
B) Patient with controlled hypertension
C) Patient with seasonal allergies
D) Patient who is immobile after major surgery
Correct Answer: D) Patient who is immobile after major surgery
Rationale: Immobility and surgery increase venous stasis and
thromboembolic risk.
Q5. Which assessment finding may accompany a pulmonary
embolism?
A) Hemoptysis
B) Bradycardia
C) Severe hypothermia
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: A) Hemoptysis
Rationale: Pulmonary vascular injury can cause coughing and blood-
streaked or bloody sputum.
Q6. A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly
becomes hypotensive and confused. What is the priority?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Support oxygenation and initiate emergency treatment
C) Place the patient in a walking position
D) Delay intervention until imaging is completed
Correct Answer: B) Support oxygenation and initiate emergency treatment
Rationale: Hypotension and altered mental status indicate compromised
cardiopulmonary perfusion and require immediate stabilization.
, Q7. Which diagnostic test is commonly used to visualize pulmonary
emboli?
A) Colonoscopy
B) Electroencephalogram
C) CT pulmonary angiography
D) Bone scan
Correct Answer: C) CT pulmonary angiography
Rationale: CT pulmonary angiography can directly demonstrate pulmonary
arterial obstruction in appropriate patients.
Q8. A patient receiving unfractionated heparin develops a
significant decrease in platelet count and a new thrombosis. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Disseminated intravascular coagulation
B) Iron-deficiency anemia
C) Vitamin K deficiency
D) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: D) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Rationale: HIT is an immune-mediated reaction to heparin that causes
thrombocytopenia with an increased risk of thrombosis.
Q9. Which medication reverses the anticoagulant effect of
unfractionated heparin?
A) Protamine sulfate
B) Vitamin K
C) Naloxone
D) Acetylcysteine
Correct Answer: A) Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin and neutralizes its
anticoagulant effect.
Q10. Which medication is used to reverse the effect of warfarin?
