NURS 2873 EXAM 3/ 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 300 unique, multiple-choice questions is organized into
seven sections mirroring the NURS 2873 Exam 3 content, including Burn Injury
Pathophysiology, Fluid Resuscitation, Acid-Base Balance, Central Venous Catheter
Care, Pressure Injury Prevention, and Legal Concepts. Each question includes four
answer choices, the correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining clinical
reasoning and evidence-based practice. The questions are designed to test critical
thinking, prioritization, and application of nursing interventions without
repetition. Topics cover Parkland Baxter formula calculations, ABG interpretation,
wound staging, CLABSI prevention, and legal implications, providing a thorough
preparation resource for nursing students.
Section 1: Burn Injury - Pathophysiology and Phases (Questions 1-45)
1. What is the normal rate of insensible fluid loss for an adult, and how much does
this increase in a severely burned patient?
A) 30-50 mL/hr; 200-400 mL/hr
B) 50-70 mL/hr; 150-250 mL/hr
C) 10-20 mL/hr; 100-200 mL/hr
D) 70-90 mL/hr; 300-500 mL/hr
Answer: A
Rationale: Normal insensible loss is 30-50 mL/hr. In severely burned patients, the
loss of the skin barrier causes this to rise significantly to 200-400 mL/hr .
2. The emergent (resuscitative) phase of burn injury lasts up to how many hours
post-injury?
A) 24 hours
,B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 1 week
Answer: C
Rationale: The emergent phase, also known as the resuscitative phase, is the time
required to resolve the immediate problems resulting from the injury. It typically
lasts up to 72 hours .
3. What is the primary pathophysiologic change occurring during the emergent
phase of a major burn injury?
A) Fluid overload due to increased capillary permeability.
B) Intravascular volume depletion due to fluid shifts out of the vascular space.
C) Hypernatremia due to fluid loss.
D) Metabolic alkalosis from hyperventilation.
Answer: B
Rationale: During the emergent phase, capillary permeability increases, causing
fluid, sodium, and proteins to shift from the intravascular space into the
interstitial space, leading to intravascular volume depletion and edema .
4. A patient in the emergent phase of a burn injury is at risk for a paralytic ileus
and stress ulcers. What is the name for this type of stress ulcer, and what
medications are used for prophylaxis?
A) Curling's ulcer; PPI and H2 blockers
B) Cushing's ulcer; PPI and H2 blockers
C) Curling's ulcer; antacids and sucralfate
D) Cushing's ulcer; antacids and sucralfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a stress ulcer that can develop in burn patients.
Prophylaxis includes proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers to reduce
stomach acid .
5. A patient with a major burn injury is in the emergent phase. Which electrolyte
imbalance is the patient at highest risk for developing?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
,Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance in the emergent
phase of a burn injury due to massive cell destruction and the release of
intracellular potassium into the bloodstream .
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is the patient at risk for developing in the
emergent phase due to fluid shifts?
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia occurs during the emergent phase because sodium
moves out of the vascular space into the interstitial space along with fluid,
diluting the remaining serum sodium .
7. The emergent phase of burn injury is characterized by which clinical
presentation?
A) Fluid overload, hypertension, and bradycardia.
B) Hypovolemia, hypotension, and tachycardia.
C) Hypervolemia, hypertension, and tachycardia.
D) Hypovolemia, hypotension, and bradycardia.
Answer: B
Rationale: The emergent phase presents with intravascular volume depletion,
leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and signs of decreased perfusion, as well as
other symptoms like shivering and decreased urine output .
8. Shivering is a common finding in the emergent phase of a burn injury. What is
the primary reason for this?
A) A systemic inflammatory response.
B) Pain and anxiety.
C) The loss of the skin barrier function.
D) An adverse reaction to pain medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Shivering occurs because the skin barrier has been destroyed, leading
to massive heat loss and an inability to regulate body temperature effectively .
, 9. An increased hematocrit in a burn patient during the emergent phase is most
likely caused by what process?
A) An increase in red blood cell production.
B) Hemoconcentration due to fluid loss.
C) Dehydration from insensible losses.
D) A side effect of pain medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: During the emergent phase, fluid shifts out of the vascular space cause
hemoconcentration, leading to an elevated hematocrit level. After fluid balance is
restored, the hematocrit will drop .
10. When does the emergent phase of a burn injury typically end?
A) When the patient is admitted to the burn unit.
B) When fluid mobilization and diuresis begin.
C) When the patient's blood pressure stabilizes.
D) When wound debridement begins.
Answer: B
Rationale: The emergent phase ends when fluid mobilization begins and the
patient starts to diurese, marking the transition to the acute phase .
11. A patient in the acute phase of burn recovery is starting to show signs of
diuresis and is less edematous. What other positive sign indicates progression to
this phase?
A) A decrease in urine output.
B) The return of bowel sounds.
C) An increase in blood pressure.
D) A decrease in pain.
Answer: B
Rationale: The acute phase is characterized by diuresis and a reduction in edema.
The return of bowel sounds indicates that the paralytic ileus is resolving .
12. The acute phase of burn injury is characterized by which pathophysiologic
process?
A) Increased capillary permeability.
B) Diuresis and the return of bowel sounds.
C) Hypovolemic shock.
D) The beginning of the inflammatory response.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
LATEST UPDATE ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 300 unique, multiple-choice questions is organized into
seven sections mirroring the NURS 2873 Exam 3 content, including Burn Injury
Pathophysiology, Fluid Resuscitation, Acid-Base Balance, Central Venous Catheter
Care, Pressure Injury Prevention, and Legal Concepts. Each question includes four
answer choices, the correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining clinical
reasoning and evidence-based practice. The questions are designed to test critical
thinking, prioritization, and application of nursing interventions without
repetition. Topics cover Parkland Baxter formula calculations, ABG interpretation,
wound staging, CLABSI prevention, and legal implications, providing a thorough
preparation resource for nursing students.
Section 1: Burn Injury - Pathophysiology and Phases (Questions 1-45)
1. What is the normal rate of insensible fluid loss for an adult, and how much does
this increase in a severely burned patient?
A) 30-50 mL/hr; 200-400 mL/hr
B) 50-70 mL/hr; 150-250 mL/hr
C) 10-20 mL/hr; 100-200 mL/hr
D) 70-90 mL/hr; 300-500 mL/hr
Answer: A
Rationale: Normal insensible loss is 30-50 mL/hr. In severely burned patients, the
loss of the skin barrier causes this to rise significantly to 200-400 mL/hr .
2. The emergent (resuscitative) phase of burn injury lasts up to how many hours
post-injury?
A) 24 hours
,B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 1 week
Answer: C
Rationale: The emergent phase, also known as the resuscitative phase, is the time
required to resolve the immediate problems resulting from the injury. It typically
lasts up to 72 hours .
3. What is the primary pathophysiologic change occurring during the emergent
phase of a major burn injury?
A) Fluid overload due to increased capillary permeability.
B) Intravascular volume depletion due to fluid shifts out of the vascular space.
C) Hypernatremia due to fluid loss.
D) Metabolic alkalosis from hyperventilation.
Answer: B
Rationale: During the emergent phase, capillary permeability increases, causing
fluid, sodium, and proteins to shift from the intravascular space into the
interstitial space, leading to intravascular volume depletion and edema .
4. A patient in the emergent phase of a burn injury is at risk for a paralytic ileus
and stress ulcers. What is the name for this type of stress ulcer, and what
medications are used for prophylaxis?
A) Curling's ulcer; PPI and H2 blockers
B) Cushing's ulcer; PPI and H2 blockers
C) Curling's ulcer; antacids and sucralfate
D) Cushing's ulcer; antacids and sucralfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a stress ulcer that can develop in burn patients.
Prophylaxis includes proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers to reduce
stomach acid .
5. A patient with a major burn injury is in the emergent phase. Which electrolyte
imbalance is the patient at highest risk for developing?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
,Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance in the emergent
phase of a burn injury due to massive cell destruction and the release of
intracellular potassium into the bloodstream .
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is the patient at risk for developing in the
emergent phase due to fluid shifts?
A) Hyponatremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia occurs during the emergent phase because sodium
moves out of the vascular space into the interstitial space along with fluid,
diluting the remaining serum sodium .
7. The emergent phase of burn injury is characterized by which clinical
presentation?
A) Fluid overload, hypertension, and bradycardia.
B) Hypovolemia, hypotension, and tachycardia.
C) Hypervolemia, hypertension, and tachycardia.
D) Hypovolemia, hypotension, and bradycardia.
Answer: B
Rationale: The emergent phase presents with intravascular volume depletion,
leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and signs of decreased perfusion, as well as
other symptoms like shivering and decreased urine output .
8. Shivering is a common finding in the emergent phase of a burn injury. What is
the primary reason for this?
A) A systemic inflammatory response.
B) Pain and anxiety.
C) The loss of the skin barrier function.
D) An adverse reaction to pain medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Shivering occurs because the skin barrier has been destroyed, leading
to massive heat loss and an inability to regulate body temperature effectively .
, 9. An increased hematocrit in a burn patient during the emergent phase is most
likely caused by what process?
A) An increase in red blood cell production.
B) Hemoconcentration due to fluid loss.
C) Dehydration from insensible losses.
D) A side effect of pain medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: During the emergent phase, fluid shifts out of the vascular space cause
hemoconcentration, leading to an elevated hematocrit level. After fluid balance is
restored, the hematocrit will drop .
10. When does the emergent phase of a burn injury typically end?
A) When the patient is admitted to the burn unit.
B) When fluid mobilization and diuresis begin.
C) When the patient's blood pressure stabilizes.
D) When wound debridement begins.
Answer: B
Rationale: The emergent phase ends when fluid mobilization begins and the
patient starts to diurese, marking the transition to the acute phase .
11. A patient in the acute phase of burn recovery is starting to show signs of
diuresis and is less edematous. What other positive sign indicates progression to
this phase?
A) A decrease in urine output.
B) The return of bowel sounds.
C) An increase in blood pressure.
D) A decrease in pain.
Answer: B
Rationale: The acute phase is characterized by diuresis and a reduction in edema.
The return of bowel sounds indicates that the paralytic ileus is resolving .
12. The acute phase of burn injury is characterized by which pathophysiologic
process?
A) Increased capillary permeability.
B) Diuresis and the return of bowel sounds.
C) Hypovolemic shock.
D) The beginning of the inflammatory response.
