NR 574 Final Exam: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Hypothermia, Burns & Near
Drowning | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Chamberlain
University
Subject: Advanced Pathophysiology & Acute Care – Near Drowning, Hypothermia, Frostbite, Burn
Classification, Fluid Resuscitation (Parkland Formula), Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Source: NR 574 Final Exam Content / Chamberlain University / Clinical Practice Guidelines (2026/2027
Update)
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationales | Grade A Guaranteed
1. What are indicators for poor prognosis following a near-drowning situation?
Correct Answer: Submersion or resuscitation lasting more than 25 minutes, apnea, pH < 7.41, and
Glasgow coma scale (GCS) < 5 are poor prognostic signs.
1. Prolonged submersion increases risk of severe neurological injury.
2. Severe acidosis and coma predict poor outcomes.
2. What are clinical findings of a near-drowning patient?
Correct Answer: Panic and agitation; lethargy, stupor, or coma; hypothermia; hypotension; cyanosis;
pulmonary edema; bradycardia or tachycardia; arrhythmia; cardiac arrest; secondary traumatic injuries
(paresthesia, paralysis, extremity deformity, etc.).
1. Hypoxia and hypothermia often coexist in drowning victims.
2. Secondary trauma (c-spine injury) may be present from diving.
3. What is the management for a near-drowning/post-drowning patient?
Correct Answer: Intubation/supplemental O2; remove all wet clothes; fluid and electrolyte
replacement with serial BMP; NG/OG for gastric decompression (if aspirated, can quickly lead to
pneumonia); minimum of 6-8 hours telemetry monitoring.
1. Airway protection is priority.
2. Gastric decompression prevents aspiration of stomach contents.
, 4. Guiselle, an 18-year-old female, was admitted 8 hours after a near-drowning incident (submerged
2 minutes). Now she reports shortness of breath, anxiousness, difficulty talking in complete
sentences. Vitals: BP 122/72, HR 122, RR 32, O2 sat 88% on 5L O2. What is the most likely
underlying cause of Guiselle's distress?
A. Viral pneumonia
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Correct Answer: D. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
1. Direct irritation of lung parenchyma from aspirated water leads to ARDS.
2. Bacterial pneumonia would take longer to develop.
5. LaVelle was found submerged in a pool. He is minimally conscious, does not follow commands,
breaths are shallow and slow, pupils 2 mm and slow to react. Vitals: BP 98/42, HR 138, RR 10, O2
sat 88% on 100% non-rebreather. What is the AGACNP's most appropriate action?
A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
B. Head CT
C. 1 L fluid bolus of normal saline (NS)
D. Cervical spine x-rays
Correct Answer: A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
1. LaVelle is unable to protect his airway.
2. ABCs are always the priority – airway first.
6. What are risk factors for drowning?
Correct Answer: Summer months, access to water, children, lower socioeconomic status, ethnic
minority, rural population, inability to swim or overestimation of swimming capabilities, risk-taking
behaviors, alcohol or drug use near or in water, medical conditions (epilepsy, stroke, MI), hypothermia,
secondary to trauma (diving paralysis).
1. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor in adult drownings.
2. Seizure disorders increase drowning risk.
7. What is the timeframe for dry drowning?
Correct Answer: Less than an hour after inhaling water.
1. Laryngospasm causes asphyxia without water aspiration.
2. Death occurs from hypoxia, not water in lungs.
Drowning | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Chamberlain
University
Subject: Advanced Pathophysiology & Acute Care – Near Drowning, Hypothermia, Frostbite, Burn
Classification, Fluid Resuscitation (Parkland Formula), Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Source: NR 574 Final Exam Content / Chamberlain University / Clinical Practice Guidelines (2026/2027
Update)
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationales | Grade A Guaranteed
1. What are indicators for poor prognosis following a near-drowning situation?
Correct Answer: Submersion or resuscitation lasting more than 25 minutes, apnea, pH < 7.41, and
Glasgow coma scale (GCS) < 5 are poor prognostic signs.
1. Prolonged submersion increases risk of severe neurological injury.
2. Severe acidosis and coma predict poor outcomes.
2. What are clinical findings of a near-drowning patient?
Correct Answer: Panic and agitation; lethargy, stupor, or coma; hypothermia; hypotension; cyanosis;
pulmonary edema; bradycardia or tachycardia; arrhythmia; cardiac arrest; secondary traumatic injuries
(paresthesia, paralysis, extremity deformity, etc.).
1. Hypoxia and hypothermia often coexist in drowning victims.
2. Secondary trauma (c-spine injury) may be present from diving.
3. What is the management for a near-drowning/post-drowning patient?
Correct Answer: Intubation/supplemental O2; remove all wet clothes; fluid and electrolyte
replacement with serial BMP; NG/OG for gastric decompression (if aspirated, can quickly lead to
pneumonia); minimum of 6-8 hours telemetry monitoring.
1. Airway protection is priority.
2. Gastric decompression prevents aspiration of stomach contents.
, 4. Guiselle, an 18-year-old female, was admitted 8 hours after a near-drowning incident (submerged
2 minutes). Now she reports shortness of breath, anxiousness, difficulty talking in complete
sentences. Vitals: BP 122/72, HR 122, RR 32, O2 sat 88% on 5L O2. What is the most likely
underlying cause of Guiselle's distress?
A. Viral pneumonia
B. Bacterial pneumonia
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Correct Answer: D. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
1. Direct irritation of lung parenchyma from aspirated water leads to ARDS.
2. Bacterial pneumonia would take longer to develop.
5. LaVelle was found submerged in a pool. He is minimally conscious, does not follow commands,
breaths are shallow and slow, pupils 2 mm and slow to react. Vitals: BP 98/42, HR 138, RR 10, O2
sat 88% on 100% non-rebreather. What is the AGACNP's most appropriate action?
A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
B. Head CT
C. 1 L fluid bolus of normal saline (NS)
D. Cervical spine x-rays
Correct Answer: A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
1. LaVelle is unable to protect his airway.
2. ABCs are always the priority – airway first.
6. What are risk factors for drowning?
Correct Answer: Summer months, access to water, children, lower socioeconomic status, ethnic
minority, rural population, inability to swim or overestimation of swimming capabilities, risk-taking
behaviors, alcohol or drug use near or in water, medical conditions (epilepsy, stroke, MI), hypothermia,
secondary to trauma (diving paralysis).
1. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor in adult drownings.
2. Seizure disorders increase drowning risk.
7. What is the timeframe for dry drowning?
Correct Answer: Less than an hour after inhaling water.
1. Laryngospasm causes asphyxia without water aspiration.
2. Death occurs from hypoxia, not water in lungs.
