NURS 307 FINAL EXAM:
COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT AND
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A patient presents with a ‘tearing’ chest pain radiating to the back and a blood pressure
discrepancy of 30 mmHg between the left and right arms. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Aortic Dissection
B. Myocardial Infarction
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Tension Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic dissection characteristically presents with sudden,
‘tearing’ or ‘ripping’ pain and a significant difference in blood pressure between limbs due
to the false lumen obstructing blood flow.
2. Which heart sound is most commonly associated with heart failure and fluid volume
overload in an older adult?
A. S3 ventricular gallop
,B. S2 splitting
C. S4 atrial gallop
D. Ejection click
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The S3 heart sound occurs early in diastole during the rapid
ventricular filling phase and is a classic sign of fluid overload or heart failure in adults.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which of the following electrolyte
imbalances is most expected?
A. Hyperkalemia and Hypoglycemia
B. Hypokalemia and Hyperglycemia
C. Hyponatremia and Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia and Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excess cortisol (Cushing’s) leads to sodium retention and
potassium excretion (hypokalemia), while also antagonizing insulin effects, causing
hyperglycemia.
4. In the assessment of a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis, the nurse flexes the
patient’s neck, and the patient’s hips and knees flex involuntarily. This is known as:
A. Kernig’s sign
, B. Babinski reflex
C. Hoffman’s sign
D. Brudzinski’s sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Brudzinski’s sign is positive when neck flexion causes
involuntary hip/knee flexion, indicating meningeal irritation.
5. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse anticipate in a patient with an acute
aspirin (Salicylate) overdose?
A. Pure Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis followed by Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Compensated Respiratory acidosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Salicylates initially stimulate the respiratory center (alkalosis)
but eventually interfere with metabolism, leading to a metabolic acidosis.
6. A patient with a Glasglow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7 is categorized as having what level
of brain injury?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT AND
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A patient presents with a ‘tearing’ chest pain radiating to the back and a blood pressure
discrepancy of 30 mmHg between the left and right arms. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Aortic Dissection
B. Myocardial Infarction
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Tension Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic dissection characteristically presents with sudden,
‘tearing’ or ‘ripping’ pain and a significant difference in blood pressure between limbs due
to the false lumen obstructing blood flow.
2. Which heart sound is most commonly associated with heart failure and fluid volume
overload in an older adult?
A. S3 ventricular gallop
,B. S2 splitting
C. S4 atrial gallop
D. Ejection click
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The S3 heart sound occurs early in diastole during the rapid
ventricular filling phase and is a classic sign of fluid overload or heart failure in adults.
3. A nurse assesses a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which of the following electrolyte
imbalances is most expected?
A. Hyperkalemia and Hypoglycemia
B. Hypokalemia and Hyperglycemia
C. Hyponatremia and Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia and Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excess cortisol (Cushing’s) leads to sodium retention and
potassium excretion (hypokalemia), while also antagonizing insulin effects, causing
hyperglycemia.
4. In the assessment of a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis, the nurse flexes the
patient’s neck, and the patient’s hips and knees flex involuntarily. This is known as:
A. Kernig’s sign
, B. Babinski reflex
C. Hoffman’s sign
D. Brudzinski’s sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Brudzinski’s sign is positive when neck flexion causes
involuntary hip/knee flexion, indicating meningeal irritation.
5. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse anticipate in a patient with an acute
aspirin (Salicylate) overdose?
A. Pure Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis followed by Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Compensated Respiratory acidosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Salicylates initially stimulate the respiratory center (alkalosis)
but eventually interfere with metabolism, leading to a metabolic acidosis.
6. A patient with a Glasglow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7 is categorized as having what level
of brain injury?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
