PATHOLOGY TEST BANK EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
An IV drug abuser walks into the ED telling the nurse that, "he is sick". He looks feverish
with flushed, moist skin; dehydrated with dry lips/mucous membranes; and fatigued.
The assessment reveals a loud murmur. An echo was ordered that shows large
vegetation growing on his mitral valve. The patient is admitted to the ICU. The nurse will
be assessing this patient for which possible life-threatening complications? - Answer-
Systemic emboli, especially to the brain
Systemic emboli develop and break off the mitral valve and travel into the vascular
system
A 34-year-old man who is an IV drug user has presented to the ED with malaise,
abdominal pain & lethargy. The health care team wants to rule out endocarditis as a
diagnosis. Staff of the department would most realistically anticipate which of the
following sets of diagnostics? - Answer-Echo, blood cx and temperature.
Echo helps visualize the heart, while blood cx would confirm presence or absence of
microorganisms in the circulation, and temperature would gauge presence of infection.
A 66-year-old obese man with diagnoses of ischemic heart disease has been diagnosed
with heart failure that his care team has characterized as attributable to systolic
dysfunction. Which of the following assessment findings is inconsistent with his
diagnosis? - Answer-Ventricular dilation and wall tension are significantly lower than
normal.
A nurse will be providing care for a female patient who has diagnosis of heart failure
that has been characterized as being primarily right sided. Which of the following
statements best describes the presentation that the nurse should anticipate? The client
- Answer-has pitting edema to the ankles and feet bilaterally, decreased activity
tolerance, and occasional right upper quadrant pain.
The nurse working in the ICU knows that chronic elevation of left ventricular end-
diastolic pressure will result in the patient displaying which of the following clinical
manifestations? - Answer-Dyspnea and crackles in BL lung bases
Although it may preserve the resting cardiac output, the resulting chronic elevation of
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is transmitted to the atria and the pulmonary
circulation, causing pulmonary congestion.
A 77-year-old patient with a history of coronary artery disease and heart failure has
arrived in the ER with a rapid heart rate and feeling of "impending doom". Based on
pathophysiologic principles, the nurse knows the rapid heart rate could - Answer-be a
,result of catecholamines released from SNS that could increase the myocardial oxygen
demand
A increase in sympathetic activity by stimulation of the B-adrenergic receptors of the
heart leads to tachycardia, vasoconstriction, and arrhythmia.
A nurse educator in a geriatric medicine unit of a hospital is teaching a group of new
graduates specific assessment criteria related to heart failure. Which of the following
criteria should the nurses prioritize in their practice? - Answer-Measurement of urine
output and mental status assessment
Both increased and decreased urine output can be markers of heart failure, as can
changes in mental status not attributable to other factors
Mr. V has been admitted for exacerbation of his chronic heart failure (HF). When the
nurse walks into the room, he is sitting on the edge of the bed, gasping for air, and his
lips are dusty blue. Vital signs reveal heart rate of 112, respiratory rate of 36, and pulse
oximeter reading of 81%. He starts coughing up frothy pink sputum. The priority
intervention is to - Answer-call for emergency assistance utilizing hospital protocol
Mr. V is experiencing acute pulmonary edema
A female older adult client has presented with a new onset of shortness of breath, and
the client's physician has ordered measurement of her brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
levels along with other diagnostic tests. What is the most accurate rationale for the
physician's choice of bloodwork? - Answer-BNP is released as a compensatory
mechanism during heart failure, and measuring it can help differentiate the client's
dyspnea from a respiratory pathology
Elevated BNP levels help confirm the diagnosis of HF as opposed to respiratory
etiologies
A nurse is administering morning medications to a number of patients on a medical unit.
Which of the following medication regimens is most suggestive that the patient has a
diagnosis of heart failure? - Answer-Diuretic, ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker
Emergency medical technicians respond to a call to find an 80-year-old man who is
showing S/S of severe shock. Which of the following phenomena is most likely taking
place? - Answer-The man's alpha & beta-adrenergic receptors have been activated,
resulting in vasoconstriction and increased HR
Central response to all types of shock
A 3-year-old child with right-sided heart failure has been admitted for worsening of his
condition. Which of the following assessment would be considered one the earliest
signs of venous congestion in this toddler? - Answer-Enlargement of the liver
, With RV function impaired, systemic venous congestion develops
Which of the following changes associated with aging contributes to heart failure
development in older adults? - Answer-Elevated diastolic BP
Increased vascular stiffness
Knowing the high incidence and prevalence of heart failure among the elderly, the
manager of a long term care home has organized a workshop on the identification of
early signs and symptoms of heart failure. Which of the following teaching points is most
accurate? - Answer-Displays of aggression, confusion and restlessness when the
resident has no history of such behavior can be a sign of heart failure
Cognitive changes can often accompany heart failure in the elderly
As part of pre-surgical teaching for patients who are about to undergo a coronary artery
bypass graft, a nurse is performing an education session with a group of surgical
candidates. Which of the following teaching points best conveys an aspect of human
circulatory system? - Answer-The blood pressure varies widely between arteries and
veins and between pulmonary and systemic circulation
In which of the following situations would blood most likely rapidly relocate from central
circulation to the lower extremities? - Answer-A client is helped out of bed and stands
up
Which of the following statements most accurately captures a principle of blood flow? -
Answer-With constant pressure, a small increase in vessel radius results in an
exponential increase in blood flow
Doubling the radius of a vessel is associated with a fourth-power increase in flow,
provided that pressure remains constant
A 72-year-old female has been told by her physician that she has a new heart murmur
that requires her to go visit a cardiologist. Upon examination, the cardiologist informs
the patient that she has aortic stenosis. After the cardiologist has left the room, the
patient asks, "What caused this to happen now?" The clinic nurse responds, -
Answer-"Heart murmurs result from tumultuous flow through a diseased heart valve that
is too narrow and stiff. This flow causes a vibration called a murmur."
Heart murmur results from turbulent flow through a diseased heart valve that may be
too narrow, too stiff, or too floppy.
During an automobile accident where the patient is bleeding heavily, which vascular
component is the most distensible and can store large quantities of blood that can be
returned to the circulation at this time of need? - Answer-Veins
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
An IV drug abuser walks into the ED telling the nurse that, "he is sick". He looks feverish
with flushed, moist skin; dehydrated with dry lips/mucous membranes; and fatigued.
The assessment reveals a loud murmur. An echo was ordered that shows large
vegetation growing on his mitral valve. The patient is admitted to the ICU. The nurse will
be assessing this patient for which possible life-threatening complications? - Answer-
Systemic emboli, especially to the brain
Systemic emboli develop and break off the mitral valve and travel into the vascular
system
A 34-year-old man who is an IV drug user has presented to the ED with malaise,
abdominal pain & lethargy. The health care team wants to rule out endocarditis as a
diagnosis. Staff of the department would most realistically anticipate which of the
following sets of diagnostics? - Answer-Echo, blood cx and temperature.
Echo helps visualize the heart, while blood cx would confirm presence or absence of
microorganisms in the circulation, and temperature would gauge presence of infection.
A 66-year-old obese man with diagnoses of ischemic heart disease has been diagnosed
with heart failure that his care team has characterized as attributable to systolic
dysfunction. Which of the following assessment findings is inconsistent with his
diagnosis? - Answer-Ventricular dilation and wall tension are significantly lower than
normal.
A nurse will be providing care for a female patient who has diagnosis of heart failure
that has been characterized as being primarily right sided. Which of the following
statements best describes the presentation that the nurse should anticipate? The client
- Answer-has pitting edema to the ankles and feet bilaterally, decreased activity
tolerance, and occasional right upper quadrant pain.
The nurse working in the ICU knows that chronic elevation of left ventricular end-
diastolic pressure will result in the patient displaying which of the following clinical
manifestations? - Answer-Dyspnea and crackles in BL lung bases
Although it may preserve the resting cardiac output, the resulting chronic elevation of
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is transmitted to the atria and the pulmonary
circulation, causing pulmonary congestion.
A 77-year-old patient with a history of coronary artery disease and heart failure has
arrived in the ER with a rapid heart rate and feeling of "impending doom". Based on
pathophysiologic principles, the nurse knows the rapid heart rate could - Answer-be a
,result of catecholamines released from SNS that could increase the myocardial oxygen
demand
A increase in sympathetic activity by stimulation of the B-adrenergic receptors of the
heart leads to tachycardia, vasoconstriction, and arrhythmia.
A nurse educator in a geriatric medicine unit of a hospital is teaching a group of new
graduates specific assessment criteria related to heart failure. Which of the following
criteria should the nurses prioritize in their practice? - Answer-Measurement of urine
output and mental status assessment
Both increased and decreased urine output can be markers of heart failure, as can
changes in mental status not attributable to other factors
Mr. V has been admitted for exacerbation of his chronic heart failure (HF). When the
nurse walks into the room, he is sitting on the edge of the bed, gasping for air, and his
lips are dusty blue. Vital signs reveal heart rate of 112, respiratory rate of 36, and pulse
oximeter reading of 81%. He starts coughing up frothy pink sputum. The priority
intervention is to - Answer-call for emergency assistance utilizing hospital protocol
Mr. V is experiencing acute pulmonary edema
A female older adult client has presented with a new onset of shortness of breath, and
the client's physician has ordered measurement of her brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
levels along with other diagnostic tests. What is the most accurate rationale for the
physician's choice of bloodwork? - Answer-BNP is released as a compensatory
mechanism during heart failure, and measuring it can help differentiate the client's
dyspnea from a respiratory pathology
Elevated BNP levels help confirm the diagnosis of HF as opposed to respiratory
etiologies
A nurse is administering morning medications to a number of patients on a medical unit.
Which of the following medication regimens is most suggestive that the patient has a
diagnosis of heart failure? - Answer-Diuretic, ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker
Emergency medical technicians respond to a call to find an 80-year-old man who is
showing S/S of severe shock. Which of the following phenomena is most likely taking
place? - Answer-The man's alpha & beta-adrenergic receptors have been activated,
resulting in vasoconstriction and increased HR
Central response to all types of shock
A 3-year-old child with right-sided heart failure has been admitted for worsening of his
condition. Which of the following assessment would be considered one the earliest
signs of venous congestion in this toddler? - Answer-Enlargement of the liver
, With RV function impaired, systemic venous congestion develops
Which of the following changes associated with aging contributes to heart failure
development in older adults? - Answer-Elevated diastolic BP
Increased vascular stiffness
Knowing the high incidence and prevalence of heart failure among the elderly, the
manager of a long term care home has organized a workshop on the identification of
early signs and symptoms of heart failure. Which of the following teaching points is most
accurate? - Answer-Displays of aggression, confusion and restlessness when the
resident has no history of such behavior can be a sign of heart failure
Cognitive changes can often accompany heart failure in the elderly
As part of pre-surgical teaching for patients who are about to undergo a coronary artery
bypass graft, a nurse is performing an education session with a group of surgical
candidates. Which of the following teaching points best conveys an aspect of human
circulatory system? - Answer-The blood pressure varies widely between arteries and
veins and between pulmonary and systemic circulation
In which of the following situations would blood most likely rapidly relocate from central
circulation to the lower extremities? - Answer-A client is helped out of bed and stands
up
Which of the following statements most accurately captures a principle of blood flow? -
Answer-With constant pressure, a small increase in vessel radius results in an
exponential increase in blood flow
Doubling the radius of a vessel is associated with a fourth-power increase in flow,
provided that pressure remains constant
A 72-year-old female has been told by her physician that she has a new heart murmur
that requires her to go visit a cardiologist. Upon examination, the cardiologist informs
the patient that she has aortic stenosis. After the cardiologist has left the room, the
patient asks, "What caused this to happen now?" The clinic nurse responds, -
Answer-"Heart murmurs result from tumultuous flow through a diseased heart valve that
is too narrow and stiff. This flow causes a vibration called a murmur."
Heart murmur results from turbulent flow through a diseased heart valve that may be
too narrow, too stiff, or too floppy.
During an automobile accident where the patient is bleeding heavily, which vascular
component is the most distensible and can store large quantities of blood that can be
returned to the circulation at this time of need? - Answer-Veins
