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NUR 265 Exam 2 Practice Questions –
Respiratory & Endocrine Systems
Updated 2026 | Verified Answers
Subject: Nursing (NUR 265) - Exam 2 Practice Questions (Respiratory &
Endocrine Focus)
Source: NUR-265-exam-2-practice-questions-respiratory-endocrine-focus.
Format: A collection of practice questions and answers in a brief, bullet-
point style, covering pulmonary embolism, chest tubes, ARDS, mechanical
ventilation, diabetes insipidus, SIADH, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal
disorders, thyroid disorders, and diabetic emergencies.
1. What finding is consistent for a patient with PE (pulmonary
embolism)?
A. Wheezing
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Crackles
D. Stridor
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. A pleural friction rub is a coarse, grating sound heard on auscultation.
2. It occurs when inflamed pleural surfaces (the visceral and parietal
pleura) rub together during respiration.
3. Pulmonary embolism can cause pulmonary infarction, leading to
localized inflammation of the pleura, which produces this classic
finding.
2. For A patient with shortness of breath and chest pain, rapid
response is called, the head of the bed is elevated, and oxygen is
applied. What do you do next?
A. Administer morphine.
B. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor and pulse oximetry.
C. Obtain an ECG.
D. Start an IV line.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. After initiating basic interventions (positioning and oxygen), the
immediate next steps involve continuous monitoring to assess the
patient's response and identify the cause.
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2. Placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is critical to detect
dysrhythmias, which can occur with cardiac or pulmonary
emergencies like myocardial infarction or massive PE.
3. Continuous pulse oximetry provides real-time data on oxygenation
status, guiding further therapy.
3. A patient is d/c'd on warfarin for PE. What Comment from the
patient achieves a clear understanding?
A. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
B. "My INR is to be monitored frequently."
C. "I can stop taking this when I feel better."
D. "I will take aspirin if I have pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. Warfarin is an anticoagulant with a narrow therapeutic range and
requires careful monitoring.
2. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the test used to measure
the effectiveness of warfarin and ensure the dose is therapeutic
without being toxic.
3. Understanding the need for frequent INR monitoring is fundamental
to safe, long-term warfarin therapy for conditions like PE.
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4. Which ABG will a patient who has just developed PE likely
have?
A. pH 7.60, PaO2 85, PaCO2 32, HC03 23, SaO2 88
B. pH 7.28, PaO2 60, PaCO2 52, HC03 24, SaO2 84
C. pH 7.35, PaO2 95, PaCO2 40, HC03 24, SaO2 97
D. pH 7.50, PaO2 98, PaCO2 28, HC03 22, SaO2 99
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. A massive PE creates a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch,
causing hypoxemia (low PaO2 and SaO2).
2. The initial physiologic response to hypoxemia and pain/anxiety is
hyperventilation.
3. Hyperventilation blows off CO2, leading to a low PaCO2 and a
resulting respiratory alkalosis (elevated pH >7.45). Option A reflects
this classic ABG pattern in early PE.
5. Who is a priority patient?
A. A patient on day 2 of heparin therapy.
B. A patient with a new prescription for enoxaparin.
C. A patient on day 10 of heparin with blood oozing from their Foley
NUR 265 Exam 2 Practice Questions –
Respiratory & Endocrine Systems
Updated 2026 | Verified Answers
Subject: Nursing (NUR 265) - Exam 2 Practice Questions (Respiratory &
Endocrine Focus)
Source: NUR-265-exam-2-practice-questions-respiratory-endocrine-focus.
Format: A collection of practice questions and answers in a brief, bullet-
point style, covering pulmonary embolism, chest tubes, ARDS, mechanical
ventilation, diabetes insipidus, SIADH, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal
disorders, thyroid disorders, and diabetic emergencies.
1. What finding is consistent for a patient with PE (pulmonary
embolism)?
A. Wheezing
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Crackles
D. Stridor
, 2|Page
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. A pleural friction rub is a coarse, grating sound heard on auscultation.
2. It occurs when inflamed pleural surfaces (the visceral and parietal
pleura) rub together during respiration.
3. Pulmonary embolism can cause pulmonary infarction, leading to
localized inflammation of the pleura, which produces this classic
finding.
2. For A patient with shortness of breath and chest pain, rapid
response is called, the head of the bed is elevated, and oxygen is
applied. What do you do next?
A. Administer morphine.
B. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor and pulse oximetry.
C. Obtain an ECG.
D. Start an IV line.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. After initiating basic interventions (positioning and oxygen), the
immediate next steps involve continuous monitoring to assess the
patient's response and identify the cause.
, 3|Page
2. Placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is critical to detect
dysrhythmias, which can occur with cardiac or pulmonary
emergencies like myocardial infarction or massive PE.
3. Continuous pulse oximetry provides real-time data on oxygenation
status, guiding further therapy.
3. A patient is d/c'd on warfarin for PE. What Comment from the
patient achieves a clear understanding?
A. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
B. "My INR is to be monitored frequently."
C. "I can stop taking this when I feel better."
D. "I will take aspirin if I have pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. Warfarin is an anticoagulant with a narrow therapeutic range and
requires careful monitoring.
2. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the test used to measure
the effectiveness of warfarin and ensure the dose is therapeutic
without being toxic.
3. Understanding the need for frequent INR monitoring is fundamental
to safe, long-term warfarin therapy for conditions like PE.
, 4|Page
4. Which ABG will a patient who has just developed PE likely
have?
A. pH 7.60, PaO2 85, PaCO2 32, HC03 23, SaO2 88
B. pH 7.28, PaO2 60, PaCO2 52, HC03 24, SaO2 84
C. pH 7.35, PaO2 95, PaCO2 40, HC03 24, SaO2 97
D. pH 7.50, PaO2 98, PaCO2 28, HC03 22, SaO2 99
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. A massive PE creates a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch,
causing hypoxemia (low PaO2 and SaO2).
2. The initial physiologic response to hypoxemia and pain/anxiety is
hyperventilation.
3. Hyperventilation blows off CO2, leading to a low PaCO2 and a
resulting respiratory alkalosis (elevated pH >7.45). Option A reflects
this classic ABG pattern in early PE.
5. Who is a priority patient?
A. A patient on day 2 of heparin therapy.
B. A patient with a new prescription for enoxaparin.
C. A patient on day 10 of heparin with blood oozing from their Foley
