NR 341 COMPLEX ADULT HEALTH FINAL EXAM 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
What is the pathology of afterload? - The pressure in which the heart must
pump against in order to eject blood during systole.
Medications that reduce afterload/preload include? - Vasodilators
What is the pathology of preload? - The filling pressure of the heart at end
of diastole.
What is systemic vascular resistance (SVR)? - Resistance the left ventricle
must overcome to open the aortic valve and eject a volume of blood into
systemic circulation.
Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is used for what calculations? - Blood
pressure
Blood flow
Cardiac function
What is pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)? - Resistacne the right
ventricle must overcome to open the pulmonic valve and eject a volume of
blood in the pulmonary vasculature.
What is pulmonarartery occlusion pressure (PAOP)? - The pressure
created by the volume of blood that remains in the left heart at end-
diastole.
Inotropic drugs mode of action: - Negative inotropic drugs weaken the force
of muscular contractions.
Positive inotropic drugs increase the strength of muscular contractions.
Inotropic drug examples: - Dobutamine
Digoxin
Milrinone
Dopamine
Vasodilator mode of actions: - Relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood
vessels opening them up.
,Vasodilator drug examples: - CCBS:
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Nitrates:
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Nitroprusside (Nipride, Nitropress)
ACE:
Captopril (Capoten)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Kayexalate - Exchanges K+ ions for Na+
Excess K+ ions are fecally excreted
Calcium Gluconate - Prevents and treats cardiac toxicity related to
increased K+ levels
What is the purpose of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)? -
Dialysis
This is a blood filtering therapy that replaced the normal blood-filtering
function of the kidneys in patients with renal failure and acute kidney
injuries.
The prerenal system - Delivers blood to the kidneys.
A prerenal block is: - An interruption on the way to the kidneys.
The intrarenal system - Processes ultra-filtrate by tubular secretion & re-
absorption.
An intrarenal block is: - Direct damage to the kidneys.
The postrenal system - Excretes kidney waste products through the
ureters, bladder, and urethra.
A postrenal block is: - Obstruction of urine output.
Causes:
Enlarged prostate
Kidney stones
Bladder tumor
, Bladder injury
S/SX of the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI): - <400 mL/24hr
Increase BUN, Cr, uric acid, K, Mg
Metabolic Acidosis
S/SX of the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Urine output 1-
3L/day
Decreased K & Na
S/SX of the risk stage of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >1.5xbaseline
Urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for 6+ hours
S/SX of the injury stage of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >2xbaseline
Urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for 12+ hours
S/SX of the risk failure of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >3xbaseline
Urine output <0.3ml/kg/hr for 12+ hours
Priority assessment findings of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Respiratory:
Crackles
Pleural Effusion
Kussmaul respirations
Cardiovascular:
CHF, hypo/hypertension
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Pericarditis, pericardial effusion
Neurologic:
Altered mentation, confusion, lethargy
Decreased seizure threshold
S/SX of hypovolemic shock: - Elevated HR, decreased BP, tachypnea,
oliguria, cool pale skin, decreased mental status, flat neck veins, decreased
CO CI RAP PAP PAOP, elevated SVR, decreased SvO2.
Dehydration causes elevated HCT
Blood loss causes decreased HCT
Possible causes of hypovolemic shock: - External loss of blood
External loss of fluid
Internal sequestration of blood fluid (3rd spacing)
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
What is the pathology of afterload? - The pressure in which the heart must
pump against in order to eject blood during systole.
Medications that reduce afterload/preload include? - Vasodilators
What is the pathology of preload? - The filling pressure of the heart at end
of diastole.
What is systemic vascular resistance (SVR)? - Resistance the left ventricle
must overcome to open the aortic valve and eject a volume of blood into
systemic circulation.
Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is used for what calculations? - Blood
pressure
Blood flow
Cardiac function
What is pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)? - Resistacne the right
ventricle must overcome to open the pulmonic valve and eject a volume of
blood in the pulmonary vasculature.
What is pulmonarartery occlusion pressure (PAOP)? - The pressure
created by the volume of blood that remains in the left heart at end-
diastole.
Inotropic drugs mode of action: - Negative inotropic drugs weaken the force
of muscular contractions.
Positive inotropic drugs increase the strength of muscular contractions.
Inotropic drug examples: - Dobutamine
Digoxin
Milrinone
Dopamine
Vasodilator mode of actions: - Relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood
vessels opening them up.
,Vasodilator drug examples: - CCBS:
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Nitrates:
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Nitroprusside (Nipride, Nitropress)
ACE:
Captopril (Capoten)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Kayexalate - Exchanges K+ ions for Na+
Excess K+ ions are fecally excreted
Calcium Gluconate - Prevents and treats cardiac toxicity related to
increased K+ levels
What is the purpose of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)? -
Dialysis
This is a blood filtering therapy that replaced the normal blood-filtering
function of the kidneys in patients with renal failure and acute kidney
injuries.
The prerenal system - Delivers blood to the kidneys.
A prerenal block is: - An interruption on the way to the kidneys.
The intrarenal system - Processes ultra-filtrate by tubular secretion & re-
absorption.
An intrarenal block is: - Direct damage to the kidneys.
The postrenal system - Excretes kidney waste products through the
ureters, bladder, and urethra.
A postrenal block is: - Obstruction of urine output.
Causes:
Enlarged prostate
Kidney stones
Bladder tumor
, Bladder injury
S/SX of the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI): - <400 mL/24hr
Increase BUN, Cr, uric acid, K, Mg
Metabolic Acidosis
S/SX of the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Urine output 1-
3L/day
Decreased K & Na
S/SX of the risk stage of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >1.5xbaseline
Urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for 6+ hours
S/SX of the injury stage of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >2xbaseline
Urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr for 12+ hours
S/SX of the risk failure of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Cr >3xbaseline
Urine output <0.3ml/kg/hr for 12+ hours
Priority assessment findings of acute kidney injury (AKI): - Respiratory:
Crackles
Pleural Effusion
Kussmaul respirations
Cardiovascular:
CHF, hypo/hypertension
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Pericarditis, pericardial effusion
Neurologic:
Altered mentation, confusion, lethargy
Decreased seizure threshold
S/SX of hypovolemic shock: - Elevated HR, decreased BP, tachypnea,
oliguria, cool pale skin, decreased mental status, flat neck veins, decreased
CO CI RAP PAP PAOP, elevated SVR, decreased SvO2.
Dehydration causes elevated HCT
Blood loss causes decreased HCT
Possible causes of hypovolemic shock: - External loss of blood
External loss of fluid
Internal sequestration of blood fluid (3rd spacing)
