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NUR 265 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 1 | Versions V1, V2, V3 |
Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Exam 1 Content Focus: Critical Care Concepts, Hemodynamics,
Shock, Respiratory & Cardiac Emergencies
VERSION 1 (V1)
Questions
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary artery
catheter. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
reading is 6 mmHg. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Fluid overload
B. Hypovolemia
C. Left ventricular failure
D. Normal finding
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal PAWP is 8–12 mmHg. A reading of 6 mmHg
is below normal, indicating hypovolemia or decreased preload.
2. What is the normal range for central venous pressure (CVP)?
A. 0–2 mmHg
B. 2–8 mmHg
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C. 10–15 mmHg
D. 15–20 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal CVP is 2–8 mmHg. It reflects right ventricular
preload and fluid status.
3. A nurse notes a CVP of 12 mmHg in a client with heart
failure. What does this finding indicate?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Fluid overload or right ventricular failure
C. Normal fluid status
D. Dehydration
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated CVP (>8 mmHg) indicates fluid overload or
right ventricular failure.
4. What is the formula for calculating mean arterial pressure
(MAP)?
A. MAP = SBP + DBP ÷ 2
B. MAP = SBP + 2(DBP) ÷ 3
C. MAP = SBP – DBP
D. MAP = SBP × DBP ÷ 2
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Answer: B
Rationale: MAP = (Systolic BP + 2 × Diastolic BP) ÷ 3. It
represents average perfusion pressure.
5. What is the minimum MAP required for adequate organ
perfusion?
A. 40 mmHg
B. 60–65 mmHg
C. 80 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: A MAP of at least 60–65 mmHg is required to
perfuse vital organs (brain, kidneys, heart).
6. What is the normal cardiac output (CO) for an adult?
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 4–8 L/min
C. 10–15 L/min
D. 15–20 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal cardiac output is 4–8 L/min, calculated as
heart rate × stroke volume.
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
7. What is the normal cardiac index (CI)?
A. 1.0–1.5 L/min/m²
B. 2.5–4.0 L/min/m²
C. 5.0–6.0 L/min/m²
D. 7.0–8.0 L/min/m²
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal cardiac index is 2.5–4.0 L/min/m².
8. A client in cardiogenic shock has a blood pressure of 80/50
mmHg, heart rate of 120 beats/min, and urine output of 15
mL/hr. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer a beta-blocker
B. Administer inotropic support (e.g., dobutamine) as
prescribed
C. Restrict IV fluids
D. Administer a diuretic
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock requires inotropic support
(dobutamine, milrinone) to improve cardiac contractility.
Diuretics may worsen hypotension.
9. What is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock?
A. Dopamine
NUR 265 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 1 | Versions V1, V2, V3 |
Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Exam 1 Content Focus: Critical Care Concepts, Hemodynamics,
Shock, Respiratory & Cardiac Emergencies
VERSION 1 (V1)
Questions
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary artery
catheter. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
reading is 6 mmHg. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Fluid overload
B. Hypovolemia
C. Left ventricular failure
D. Normal finding
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal PAWP is 8–12 mmHg. A reading of 6 mmHg
is below normal, indicating hypovolemia or decreased preload.
2. What is the normal range for central venous pressure (CVP)?
A. 0–2 mmHg
B. 2–8 mmHg
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C. 10–15 mmHg
D. 15–20 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal CVP is 2–8 mmHg. It reflects right ventricular
preload and fluid status.
3. A nurse notes a CVP of 12 mmHg in a client with heart
failure. What does this finding indicate?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Fluid overload or right ventricular failure
C. Normal fluid status
D. Dehydration
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated CVP (>8 mmHg) indicates fluid overload or
right ventricular failure.
4. What is the formula for calculating mean arterial pressure
(MAP)?
A. MAP = SBP + DBP ÷ 2
B. MAP = SBP + 2(DBP) ÷ 3
C. MAP = SBP – DBP
D. MAP = SBP × DBP ÷ 2
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
Answer: B
Rationale: MAP = (Systolic BP + 2 × Diastolic BP) ÷ 3. It
represents average perfusion pressure.
5. What is the minimum MAP required for adequate organ
perfusion?
A. 40 mmHg
B. 60–65 mmHg
C. 80 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: A MAP of at least 60–65 mmHg is required to
perfuse vital organs (brain, kidneys, heart).
6. What is the normal cardiac output (CO) for an adult?
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 4–8 L/min
C. 10–15 L/min
D. 15–20 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal cardiac output is 4–8 L/min, calculated as
heart rate × stroke volume.
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
7. What is the normal cardiac index (CI)?
A. 1.0–1.5 L/min/m²
B. 2.5–4.0 L/min/m²
C. 5.0–6.0 L/min/m²
D. 7.0–8.0 L/min/m²
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal cardiac index is 2.5–4.0 L/min/m².
8. A client in cardiogenic shock has a blood pressure of 80/50
mmHg, heart rate of 120 beats/min, and urine output of 15
mL/hr. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer a beta-blocker
B. Administer inotropic support (e.g., dobutamine) as
prescribed
C. Restrict IV fluids
D. Administer a diuretic
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock requires inotropic support
(dobutamine, milrinone) to improve cardiac contractility.
Diuretics may worsen hypotension.
9. What is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock?
A. Dopamine
