NURS 403 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM STUDY
QUESTIONS COMPLETE FOR (2025-2026) PACE
UNIVERSITY.
What does the ACLs survey include?
Airway, breathing, circulation, and differential diagnosis
In the ACLS survey, what does "airway" focus on?
Maintaining a patent airway; considering advanced airway management if
necessary
In the ACLS survey, what does "breathing" focus on?
Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
In the ACLS survey, what does "circulation" focus on?
Monitoring CPR quality, rhythm checks, defibrillation, and medication
administration
What does "differential diagnosis" mean in ACLS?
Identifying and treatment reversible causes (the H's and T's)
What are the shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT)
What are the non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
What is the first action for shockable rhythms (VF/VT)?
Defibrillation followed by CPR
What medication is administered after defibrillation and CPR?
Epinephrine every 3-5 minutes
,What anti-arrhythmic drug is given after epinephrine for persistent VF/VT?
Amiodarone
What is the immediate action for non-shockable rhythms (asystole/PEA)?
Begin CPR and administer epinephrine; identify reversible causes
What is the correct sequence for rhythm checks during CPR?
Every 2 minutes, pausing compressions briefly to assess rhythm
What should always by confirmed before shocking a patient?
The rhythm is shockable and the patient has no pulse
What is the importance of teamwork during a code blue?
Clear role assignment, effective communication, and closed-loop feedback ensure
efficient care
What is another term for therapeutic induced hypothermia?
Targeted temperature management (TTM)
What is the purpose of therapeutic induced hypothermia after cardiac arrest?
To protect the brain and reduce neurological injury after the return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC)
What patient population is therapeutic induced hypothermia typically used for?
Patients who remain unresponsive after cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous
circulation
What is the target temperature range for therapeutic induced hypothermia?
32 C to 36 C (89.6 F to 96.8 F)
How long is the target temperature maintained in therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
Approximately 24 hours
,What phase follows the cooling period of therapeutic induced hypothermia?
Controlled rewarming
Why must rewarming be gradual?
Rapid rewarming can cause rebound hyperthermia and hemodynamic instability
What are some methods used to induce hypothermia?
Cooling blankets, ice packs, cooled IV fluids, and specialized cooling devices
What vital parameters must be closely monitored during therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
Core body temperature, cardiac rhythm, hemodynamic status, and electrolyte
balance
What is a potential complication of therapeutic hypothermia?
Shivering, electrolyte shift, arrhythmias, or infection
What nursing intervention helps prevent shivering during therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
use of sedation and paralytic agents as prescribed
What is the purpose of laboratory and diagnostic procedures in cardiovascular
assessment?
To evaluate cardiac function, detect ischemia or infarction, and guide treatment
decisions
What is an ECG (electrocardiogram) used for?
To record the heart's electrical activity and identify rhythm disturbances or
ischemic changes
What are common cardiac enzymes assessed in lab testing?
Troponin and CK-MB
What does an elevated troponin level indicate?
, Myocardial injury or infarction (heart attack)
What imaging test is used for assess the structure and motion of the heart?
Echocardiogram
What diagnostic procedure involves injecting dye into the coronary arteries?
Cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography)
What is the purpose of a cardiac catherterization?
To visualize coronary artery blockages and assess blood flow
What does a chest x-ray evaluate in cardiac patients?
Heart size, pulmonary congestion, and placement of cardiac devices
What lab test is used to assess electrolyte balance in cardiac patients?
Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
What are common electrolytes monitored in cardiac care?
Potassium, calcium, and magnesium
Why are electrolyte levels critical for cardiac function?
Abnormal levels can cause arrhythmias and impair muscle contraction
What nursing responsibility is associated with diagnostic testing?
Educating the patient, obtaining consent, and monitoring for complications post-
procedure
What is the goal of a comprehensive pain assessment?
To determine the location, intensity, quality, duration, and factors affecting the
patient's pain experience
What is the "fifth vital sign"?
Pain
What are the key components of a pain assessment?
QUESTIONS COMPLETE FOR (2025-2026) PACE
UNIVERSITY.
What does the ACLs survey include?
Airway, breathing, circulation, and differential diagnosis
In the ACLS survey, what does "airway" focus on?
Maintaining a patent airway; considering advanced airway management if
necessary
In the ACLS survey, what does "breathing" focus on?
Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
In the ACLS survey, what does "circulation" focus on?
Monitoring CPR quality, rhythm checks, defibrillation, and medication
administration
What does "differential diagnosis" mean in ACLS?
Identifying and treatment reversible causes (the H's and T's)
What are the shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT)
What are the non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythms?
Asystole and pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
What is the first action for shockable rhythms (VF/VT)?
Defibrillation followed by CPR
What medication is administered after defibrillation and CPR?
Epinephrine every 3-5 minutes
,What anti-arrhythmic drug is given after epinephrine for persistent VF/VT?
Amiodarone
What is the immediate action for non-shockable rhythms (asystole/PEA)?
Begin CPR and administer epinephrine; identify reversible causes
What is the correct sequence for rhythm checks during CPR?
Every 2 minutes, pausing compressions briefly to assess rhythm
What should always by confirmed before shocking a patient?
The rhythm is shockable and the patient has no pulse
What is the importance of teamwork during a code blue?
Clear role assignment, effective communication, and closed-loop feedback ensure
efficient care
What is another term for therapeutic induced hypothermia?
Targeted temperature management (TTM)
What is the purpose of therapeutic induced hypothermia after cardiac arrest?
To protect the brain and reduce neurological injury after the return of spontaneous
circulation (ROSC)
What patient population is therapeutic induced hypothermia typically used for?
Patients who remain unresponsive after cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous
circulation
What is the target temperature range for therapeutic induced hypothermia?
32 C to 36 C (89.6 F to 96.8 F)
How long is the target temperature maintained in therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
Approximately 24 hours
,What phase follows the cooling period of therapeutic induced hypothermia?
Controlled rewarming
Why must rewarming be gradual?
Rapid rewarming can cause rebound hyperthermia and hemodynamic instability
What are some methods used to induce hypothermia?
Cooling blankets, ice packs, cooled IV fluids, and specialized cooling devices
What vital parameters must be closely monitored during therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
Core body temperature, cardiac rhythm, hemodynamic status, and electrolyte
balance
What is a potential complication of therapeutic hypothermia?
Shivering, electrolyte shift, arrhythmias, or infection
What nursing intervention helps prevent shivering during therapeutic induced
hypothermia?
use of sedation and paralytic agents as prescribed
What is the purpose of laboratory and diagnostic procedures in cardiovascular
assessment?
To evaluate cardiac function, detect ischemia or infarction, and guide treatment
decisions
What is an ECG (electrocardiogram) used for?
To record the heart's electrical activity and identify rhythm disturbances or
ischemic changes
What are common cardiac enzymes assessed in lab testing?
Troponin and CK-MB
What does an elevated troponin level indicate?
, Myocardial injury or infarction (heart attack)
What imaging test is used for assess the structure and motion of the heart?
Echocardiogram
What diagnostic procedure involves injecting dye into the coronary arteries?
Cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography)
What is the purpose of a cardiac catherterization?
To visualize coronary artery blockages and assess blood flow
What does a chest x-ray evaluate in cardiac patients?
Heart size, pulmonary congestion, and placement of cardiac devices
What lab test is used to assess electrolyte balance in cardiac patients?
Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
What are common electrolytes monitored in cardiac care?
Potassium, calcium, and magnesium
Why are electrolyte levels critical for cardiac function?
Abnormal levels can cause arrhythmias and impair muscle contraction
What nursing responsibility is associated with diagnostic testing?
Educating the patient, obtaining consent, and monitoring for complications post-
procedure
What is the goal of a comprehensive pain assessment?
To determine the location, intensity, quality, duration, and factors affecting the
patient's pain experience
What is the "fifth vital sign"?
Pain
What are the key components of a pain assessment?
