AH2 final exam
AH2 Final Exam Study Guide Questions
and Answers 2025
Match the following characteristics of viral hepatitis with their related types (answer may
be used more than once).
___a) IV drug use is method of greatest transmission
___b) Uncommon in the United States
___c) Exists only with hepatitis B
___d) Caused by a DNA virus
___e) Most common cause of chronic hepatitis
Types:
1) Hepatitis A (HAV)
2) Hepatitis B (HBV)
3) Hepatitis C (HCV)_
4) Hepatitis D (HDV)
5) Hepatits E (HEV) - Correct Ans-Answers:
a) 3
b) 5
c) 4
d) 2
e) 3
Match the following characteristics of viral hepatitis with their related types (answer may
be used more than once).
___f) Often causes asymptomatic anicteric hepatitis
___g) Chronic carriers have increased risk for hepatocellular cancer
___h) Has no chronic carrier state
___i) No readily available diagnostic serology tests
___j) Usual cause hepatitis epidemics
Types:
1) Hepatitis A (HAV)
2) Hepatitis B (HBV)
3) Hepatitis C (HCV)_
4) Hepatitis D (HDV)
5) Hepatits E (HEV) - Correct Ans-Answers:
f) 1
g) 2
h) 1
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,AH2 final exam
i) 5
j) 1
During the incubation period of viral hepatitis, the nurse would expect the patient to
report
a) pruritus and malaise
b) dark urine and easy fatiguability
c) anorexia and right upper quadrant discomfort
d) constipation or diarrhea with light-colored stools - Correct Ans-Answer: C
Rationale: Incubation symptoms occur before the onset of jaundice and include a
variety of GI symptoms as well as discomfort and heaviness un the upper right quadrant
of the abdomen. Pruritus, dark urine, and light-colored stools occur with the onset of
jaundice in the acute phase.
The family members of a patient with hepatitis A ask if there is anything that will prevent
them from developing the disease. The best response by the nurse is
a) "No immunization is available for hepatitis A, nor are you likely to get the disease."
b) "Only individuals who have had sexual contact with the patient should receive
immunization."
c) "All family members should receive the hepatitis A vaccine to prevent or modify the
infection."
d) "Those who have had household or close contact with the patient should receive
immune globulin." - Correct Ans-Answer: D
Rationale: Individuals who have been exposed to hepatitis A through household contact
or food borne outbreaks should be given immune globulin within 1 to 2 weeks of
exposure to prevent or modify the illness. Hepatitis A vaccine is used to provide
preexposure immunity to the virus and is indicated for individuals at high risk for
hepatitis A exposure. Although hepatitis A can be spread by sexual contact, the risk is
higher for transmission with the oral-fecal route.
A patient newly diagnosed with acute hepatitis B asks about drug therapy to treat the
disease. The most appropriate response by the nurse is informing the patient that
a) there are no specific drug therapies that are effective for treating acute viral hepatitis
b) only chronic hepatitis C is treatable, primarily with antiviral agents and alpha-
interferon
c) no drugs can be used for treatment of viral hepatitis because of the risk of additional
liver damage
d) alpha-interferon - Correct Ans-Answer: A
Rationale: No specific drugs are effective treating acute viral hepatitis, although
supportive drugs, such as antiemetics, sedatives, or antipruritics, may be used for
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,AH2 final exam
symptom control. Antiviral agents, such as lamivudine or ribacvarin, and alpha-
interferon may be used for treating chronic hepatitis B or C.
Match the following clinical manifestations with the pathophysiologic changes that occur
in cirrhosis (answers may be used more than once).
___a) Jaundice
___b) Testicular atrophy
___c) Anorexia and dyspepsia
___d) Spider angiomas
___e) Amenorrha
___f) Peripheral neuropathy
___g) Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
___h) Dull, heavy, RUQ pain
___i) Male gynecomastia
___j) Petichiae and purpura
1) Decreased prothrombin time
2) Vascular congestion of spleen
3) Decreased estrogen metabolism
4) Stretching of liver capsule
5) Decreased bilirubin conjugation and excretion
6) Altered carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
7) Decreased testosterone metabolism
8) Vitamin B deficiencies - Correct Ans-Answers:
a) 5
b) 3
c) 6
d) 3
e) 7
f) 8
g) 2
h) 4
i) 3
j) 1
Laboratory test results that the nurse would expect to find in a patient with cirrhosis
include
a) serum albumin: 7.0 g/dL
b) bilirubin: total 3.2 mg/dL
c) serum cholesterol: 260 mg/dL
d) aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 6.0 U/L - Correct Ans-Answer: B
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, AH2 final exam
Rationale: Serum bilirubin, both direct and indirect, would be expected to be increased
in cirrhosis. Serum albumin and cholesterol are decreased, and liver enzymes, such as
AST and ALT, are elevated.
The nurse recognizes early signs of hepatic encephalopathy in the patient who
a) manifests asterixis
b) becomes unconscious
c) has increasing oliguria
d) is irritable and lethargic - Correct Ans-Answer: D
Rationale: Early signs of this neurologic condition include euphoria, depression, apathy,
irritability, confusion, agitation, drowsiness, and lethargy. Loss of consciousness is
usually preceded by asterisks, disorientation, hyperventilation, hypothermia, and
alterations in reflexes. Increasing oliguria is a sign of hepatorenal syndrome.
During the treatment of the patient with bleeding esophageal varices, it is most
important that the nurse
a) prepare the patient for immediate portal shunting surgery.
b) perform guaiac testing on all stools to detect occult blood.
c) maintain the patient's airway and prevent aspiration of blood.
d) monitor for the cardiac effects of IV vasopressin and nitroglycerin - Correct Ans-
Answer: C
Rationale: Bleeding esophageal varices are a medical emergency. During an episode of
bleeding, management of the airway and prevention of aspiration of blood are critical
factors. Occult blood as well as fresh blood from the GI tract would be expected and is
not tested. Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction, decreased heart rate, and decreased
coronary blood flow; nitroglycerin is given with the vasopressin to counter these side
effects. Portal shunting surgery is performed for esophageal varices but not during an
acute hemorrhage.
When assessing a patient with acute pancreatitis, the nurse would expect to find
a) hyperactive bowel sounds
b) hypertension and tachycardia
c) severe midepigastric or left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain
d) a temperature greater than 102 F - Correct Ans-pancreatitis, the nurse would expect
to find
a) hyperactive bowel sounds
b) hypertension and tachycardia
c) severe midepigastric or left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain
d) a temperature greater than 102 F
Answer: C
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AH2 Final Exam Study Guide Questions
and Answers 2025
Match the following characteristics of viral hepatitis with their related types (answer may
be used more than once).
___a) IV drug use is method of greatest transmission
___b) Uncommon in the United States
___c) Exists only with hepatitis B
___d) Caused by a DNA virus
___e) Most common cause of chronic hepatitis
Types:
1) Hepatitis A (HAV)
2) Hepatitis B (HBV)
3) Hepatitis C (HCV)_
4) Hepatitis D (HDV)
5) Hepatits E (HEV) - Correct Ans-Answers:
a) 3
b) 5
c) 4
d) 2
e) 3
Match the following characteristics of viral hepatitis with their related types (answer may
be used more than once).
___f) Often causes asymptomatic anicteric hepatitis
___g) Chronic carriers have increased risk for hepatocellular cancer
___h) Has no chronic carrier state
___i) No readily available diagnostic serology tests
___j) Usual cause hepatitis epidemics
Types:
1) Hepatitis A (HAV)
2) Hepatitis B (HBV)
3) Hepatitis C (HCV)_
4) Hepatitis D (HDV)
5) Hepatits E (HEV) - Correct Ans-Answers:
f) 1
g) 2
h) 1
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,AH2 final exam
i) 5
j) 1
During the incubation period of viral hepatitis, the nurse would expect the patient to
report
a) pruritus and malaise
b) dark urine and easy fatiguability
c) anorexia and right upper quadrant discomfort
d) constipation or diarrhea with light-colored stools - Correct Ans-Answer: C
Rationale: Incubation symptoms occur before the onset of jaundice and include a
variety of GI symptoms as well as discomfort and heaviness un the upper right quadrant
of the abdomen. Pruritus, dark urine, and light-colored stools occur with the onset of
jaundice in the acute phase.
The family members of a patient with hepatitis A ask if there is anything that will prevent
them from developing the disease. The best response by the nurse is
a) "No immunization is available for hepatitis A, nor are you likely to get the disease."
b) "Only individuals who have had sexual contact with the patient should receive
immunization."
c) "All family members should receive the hepatitis A vaccine to prevent or modify the
infection."
d) "Those who have had household or close contact with the patient should receive
immune globulin." - Correct Ans-Answer: D
Rationale: Individuals who have been exposed to hepatitis A through household contact
or food borne outbreaks should be given immune globulin within 1 to 2 weeks of
exposure to prevent or modify the illness. Hepatitis A vaccine is used to provide
preexposure immunity to the virus and is indicated for individuals at high risk for
hepatitis A exposure. Although hepatitis A can be spread by sexual contact, the risk is
higher for transmission with the oral-fecal route.
A patient newly diagnosed with acute hepatitis B asks about drug therapy to treat the
disease. The most appropriate response by the nurse is informing the patient that
a) there are no specific drug therapies that are effective for treating acute viral hepatitis
b) only chronic hepatitis C is treatable, primarily with antiviral agents and alpha-
interferon
c) no drugs can be used for treatment of viral hepatitis because of the risk of additional
liver damage
d) alpha-interferon - Correct Ans-Answer: A
Rationale: No specific drugs are effective treating acute viral hepatitis, although
supportive drugs, such as antiemetics, sedatives, or antipruritics, may be used for
2|Page
,AH2 final exam
symptom control. Antiviral agents, such as lamivudine or ribacvarin, and alpha-
interferon may be used for treating chronic hepatitis B or C.
Match the following clinical manifestations with the pathophysiologic changes that occur
in cirrhosis (answers may be used more than once).
___a) Jaundice
___b) Testicular atrophy
___c) Anorexia and dyspepsia
___d) Spider angiomas
___e) Amenorrha
___f) Peripheral neuropathy
___g) Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
___h) Dull, heavy, RUQ pain
___i) Male gynecomastia
___j) Petichiae and purpura
1) Decreased prothrombin time
2) Vascular congestion of spleen
3) Decreased estrogen metabolism
4) Stretching of liver capsule
5) Decreased bilirubin conjugation and excretion
6) Altered carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
7) Decreased testosterone metabolism
8) Vitamin B deficiencies - Correct Ans-Answers:
a) 5
b) 3
c) 6
d) 3
e) 7
f) 8
g) 2
h) 4
i) 3
j) 1
Laboratory test results that the nurse would expect to find in a patient with cirrhosis
include
a) serum albumin: 7.0 g/dL
b) bilirubin: total 3.2 mg/dL
c) serum cholesterol: 260 mg/dL
d) aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 6.0 U/L - Correct Ans-Answer: B
3|Page
, AH2 final exam
Rationale: Serum bilirubin, both direct and indirect, would be expected to be increased
in cirrhosis. Serum albumin and cholesterol are decreased, and liver enzymes, such as
AST and ALT, are elevated.
The nurse recognizes early signs of hepatic encephalopathy in the patient who
a) manifests asterixis
b) becomes unconscious
c) has increasing oliguria
d) is irritable and lethargic - Correct Ans-Answer: D
Rationale: Early signs of this neurologic condition include euphoria, depression, apathy,
irritability, confusion, agitation, drowsiness, and lethargy. Loss of consciousness is
usually preceded by asterisks, disorientation, hyperventilation, hypothermia, and
alterations in reflexes. Increasing oliguria is a sign of hepatorenal syndrome.
During the treatment of the patient with bleeding esophageal varices, it is most
important that the nurse
a) prepare the patient for immediate portal shunting surgery.
b) perform guaiac testing on all stools to detect occult blood.
c) maintain the patient's airway and prevent aspiration of blood.
d) monitor for the cardiac effects of IV vasopressin and nitroglycerin - Correct Ans-
Answer: C
Rationale: Bleeding esophageal varices are a medical emergency. During an episode of
bleeding, management of the airway and prevention of aspiration of blood are critical
factors. Occult blood as well as fresh blood from the GI tract would be expected and is
not tested. Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction, decreased heart rate, and decreased
coronary blood flow; nitroglycerin is given with the vasopressin to counter these side
effects. Portal shunting surgery is performed for esophageal varices but not during an
acute hemorrhage.
When assessing a patient with acute pancreatitis, the nurse would expect to find
a) hyperactive bowel sounds
b) hypertension and tachycardia
c) severe midepigastric or left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain
d) a temperature greater than 102 F - Correct Ans-pancreatitis, the nurse would expect
to find
a) hyperactive bowel sounds
b) hypertension and tachycardia
c) severe midepigastric or left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain
d) a temperature greater than 102 F
Answer: C
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