NSG 3280 — EXAM 2
Original Comprehensive Study Guide &
Practice Question Bank
Pathophysiology for Nurses I • 2026 Edition
160 independently written multiple-choice questions with answers and clinical rationales
Important: This is an original educational resource. It does not reproduce, claim to contain, or provide leaked/actual examination questions from
Galen College of Nursing or any commercial study-document marketplace.
Prepared September 2026
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 1
,How to Use This Guide
Use the concept summaries first, then complete questions without looking at the answers. Review every rationale—even when
you selected the correct answer.
The public study-material ecosystem around NSG 3280 Exam 2 consistently points to dermatologic disorders, infectious
diseases, immune/inflammatory conditions, and respiratory pathophysiology as important review areas. Examples include HSV,
shingles, fungal infections, impetigo, psoriasis, eczema/contact dermatitis, scabies, Lyme disease, occupational lung disease,
asthma, and interstitial lung disease. ■cite markers are intentionally not embedded in the PDF; consult the official course
materials for the authoritative scope.
Focus on mechanisms: cause → pathophysiology → manifestations → complications → priority nursing
assessment/intervention. This makes the questions transferable rather than dependent on memorized wording.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 2
,Exam 2 Blueprint — High-Yield Review Map
Domain What to master
Integumentary Skin layers, lesions, pressure injuries, wound healing, risk factors
Immune/inflammation Innate vs adaptive response, immunoglobulins, complement, hypersensitivity
Infectious skin disease HSV, zoster, tinea, impetigo, scabies, lice, Lyme disease
Dermatologic disease Psoriasis, atopic/contact dermatitis, scleroderma, Kaposi sarcoma, skin cancers
Respiratory Asthma, restrictive disease, interstitial fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, oxygenation, CO2 retention
Clinical judgment Priority assessment, red flags, specimen collection, infection control, escalation
High-Yield Exam Traps
• Stage 1 pressure injury = intact, nonblanchable erythema; do not confuse it with a superficial open wound.
• Scabies = mite; tinea = fungus; impetigo = bacterial; HSV/zoster = viral.
• Type I hypersensitivity = IgE/immediate; Type IV = T-cell/delayed.
• Asthma = variable airflow obstruction; interstitial fibrosis = restrictive disease/diffusion impairment.
• Anaphylaxis with airway/breathing/circulation compromise = epinephrine is first-line; do not delay for testing.
• A “silent chest” in severe asthma can be worse than loud wheezing because airflow may be critically reduced.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 3
, 1. Integumentary Structure & Pressure Injury
Know epidermis vs dermis, skin lesions, pressure mechanisms, staging, moisture, nutrition, friction and shear.
1. Which epidermal cell type produces keratin, the protein that contributes to the skin barrier?
A. A. Melanocyte
B. B. Keratinocyte
C. C. Langerhans cell
D. D. Merkel cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Keratinocytes are the predominant epidermal cells and synthesize keratin, supporting the mechanical and barrier
functions of the epidermis.
2. A pressure injury develops most readily when prolonged pressure causes which primary problem?
A. A. Increased arterial perfusion
B. B. Local tissue ischemia
C. C. Excess sebaceous secretion
D. D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Sustained pressure compresses small blood vessels, reducing tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery and eventually
causing tissue injury.
3. Which finding best describes a stage 1 pressure injury?
A. A. Exposed adipose tissue
B. B. Full-thickness skin loss
C. C. Intact skin with persistent nonblanchable erythema
D. D. Exposed tendon or bone
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 is intact skin with persistent nonblanchable erythema; deeper tissue is not visibly exposed.
4. An older adult has a shallow open ulcer with partial-thickness skin loss and a red-pink wound bed. Which stage is
most consistent?
A. A. Stage 1
B. B. Stage 2
C. C. Stage 3
D. D. Stage 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 involves partial-thickness loss with exposed dermis and a shallow wound bed; adipose, tendon, and bone are
not exposed.
5. Which factor most directly increases pressure-injury risk in an immobile client?
A. A. Frequent repositioning
B. B. Adequate protein intake
C. C. Moisture and impaired mobility
D. D. Intact sensation
Answer: C
Rationale: Immobility increases duration of pressure, while moisture can weaken the skin barrier and increase susceptibility to
breakdown.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 4
Original Comprehensive Study Guide &
Practice Question Bank
Pathophysiology for Nurses I • 2026 Edition
160 independently written multiple-choice questions with answers and clinical rationales
Important: This is an original educational resource. It does not reproduce, claim to contain, or provide leaked/actual examination questions from
Galen College of Nursing or any commercial study-document marketplace.
Prepared September 2026
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 1
,How to Use This Guide
Use the concept summaries first, then complete questions without looking at the answers. Review every rationale—even when
you selected the correct answer.
The public study-material ecosystem around NSG 3280 Exam 2 consistently points to dermatologic disorders, infectious
diseases, immune/inflammatory conditions, and respiratory pathophysiology as important review areas. Examples include HSV,
shingles, fungal infections, impetigo, psoriasis, eczema/contact dermatitis, scabies, Lyme disease, occupational lung disease,
asthma, and interstitial lung disease. ■cite markers are intentionally not embedded in the PDF; consult the official course
materials for the authoritative scope.
Focus on mechanisms: cause → pathophysiology → manifestations → complications → priority nursing
assessment/intervention. This makes the questions transferable rather than dependent on memorized wording.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 2
,Exam 2 Blueprint — High-Yield Review Map
Domain What to master
Integumentary Skin layers, lesions, pressure injuries, wound healing, risk factors
Immune/inflammation Innate vs adaptive response, immunoglobulins, complement, hypersensitivity
Infectious skin disease HSV, zoster, tinea, impetigo, scabies, lice, Lyme disease
Dermatologic disease Psoriasis, atopic/contact dermatitis, scleroderma, Kaposi sarcoma, skin cancers
Respiratory Asthma, restrictive disease, interstitial fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, oxygenation, CO2 retention
Clinical judgment Priority assessment, red flags, specimen collection, infection control, escalation
High-Yield Exam Traps
• Stage 1 pressure injury = intact, nonblanchable erythema; do not confuse it with a superficial open wound.
• Scabies = mite; tinea = fungus; impetigo = bacterial; HSV/zoster = viral.
• Type I hypersensitivity = IgE/immediate; Type IV = T-cell/delayed.
• Asthma = variable airflow obstruction; interstitial fibrosis = restrictive disease/diffusion impairment.
• Anaphylaxis with airway/breathing/circulation compromise = epinephrine is first-line; do not delay for testing.
• A “silent chest” in severe asthma can be worse than loud wheezing because airflow may be critically reduced.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 3
, 1. Integumentary Structure & Pressure Injury
Know epidermis vs dermis, skin lesions, pressure mechanisms, staging, moisture, nutrition, friction and shear.
1. Which epidermal cell type produces keratin, the protein that contributes to the skin barrier?
A. A. Melanocyte
B. B. Keratinocyte
C. C. Langerhans cell
D. D. Merkel cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Keratinocytes are the predominant epidermal cells and synthesize keratin, supporting the mechanical and barrier
functions of the epidermis.
2. A pressure injury develops most readily when prolonged pressure causes which primary problem?
A. A. Increased arterial perfusion
B. B. Local tissue ischemia
C. C. Excess sebaceous secretion
D. D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Sustained pressure compresses small blood vessels, reducing tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery and eventually
causing tissue injury.
3. Which finding best describes a stage 1 pressure injury?
A. A. Exposed adipose tissue
B. B. Full-thickness skin loss
C. C. Intact skin with persistent nonblanchable erythema
D. D. Exposed tendon or bone
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 is intact skin with persistent nonblanchable erythema; deeper tissue is not visibly exposed.
4. An older adult has a shallow open ulcer with partial-thickness skin loss and a red-pink wound bed. Which stage is
most consistent?
A. A. Stage 1
B. B. Stage 2
C. C. Stage 3
D. D. Stage 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 involves partial-thickness loss with exposed dermis and a shallow wound bed; adipose, tendon, and bone are
not exposed.
5. Which factor most directly increases pressure-injury risk in an immobile client?
A. A. Frequent repositioning
B. B. Adequate protein intake
C. C. Moisture and impaired mobility
D. D. Intact sensation
Answer: C
Rationale: Immobility increases duration of pressure, while moisture can weaken the skin barrier and increase susceptibility to
breakdown.
NSG 3280 Exam 2 — Original Study Guide • Page 4
