NSG 5003 Comprehensive Review: Exam Questions with Answers and
Explanations (Respiratory, Hematology, Renal, Infectious, and Pain
Management)
1. Clinical manifestations of decreased exercise tolerance, wheezing, shortness of breath,
and productive cough are indicative of which respiratory disorder?
a) Emphysema
b) Chronic bronchitis
c) Pneumonia
d) Asthma
Answer: b) Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and
excessive mucus production. Patients often present with productive cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath, especially in the morning. Smoking is the primary risk factor and contributes
to airway obstruction and recurrent infections.
2. Clinical manifestations that include unexplained weight loss, dyspnea on exertion, use of
accessory muscles, and tachypnea with prolonged expiration are indicative of which
respiratory disorder?
a) Chronic bronchitis
b) Asthma
c) Emphysema
d) Pneumonia
Answer: c) Emphysema
Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls, leading to decreased elastic recoil and
airflow limitation. Patients often experience dyspnea, use of accessory muscles for breathing,
and a characteristic “barrel chest.” Weight loss may occur due to increased work of breathing
and metabolic demand.
3. Clinical manifestations of inspiratory crackles, increased tactile fremitus, egophony, and
whispered pectoriloquy are indicative of which respiratory condition?
a) Chronic bronchitis
b) Pneumonia
c) Pulmonary edema
d) Asthma
Answer: b) Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma that causes alveolar inflammation and
consolidation. Clinical signs include crackles, increased tactile fremitus, egophony, and
whispered pectoriloquy due to dense lung tissue transmitting sound. Patients also commonly
present with fever, cough, and purulent sputum.
4. What medical term is used to identify the presence of pus in the pleural space?
a) Empyema
b) Pneumothorax
,c) Hemothorax
d) Pleural effusion
Answer: a) Empyema
Empyema is the accumulation of pus in the pleural space, usually secondary to bacterial
infection or pneumonia. It can cause fever, chest pain, dyspnea, and systemic signs of infection.
Treatment often involves antibiotics and drainage of the purulent fluid.
5. Bronchiolitis tends to occur during the first years of life and is most often caused by
what type of infection?
a) Influenza virus
b) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
c) Adenovirus
d) Rhinovirus
Answer: b) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the small airways in infants and young children. RSV is the
most common causative pathogen, leading to inflammation, mucus production, and airway
obstruction. Symptoms include wheezing, cough, and difficulty breathing.
6. Which statement accurately describes childhood asthma?
a) A restrictive lung disease
b) An obstructive airway disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction, bronchial
hyperreactivity, and inflammation
c) A chronic infection of the bronchi
d) An autoimmune disorder affecting the lungs
Answer: b) An obstructive airway disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction,
bronchial hyperreactivity, and inflammation
Childhood asthma is marked by episodic airway obstruction that is often reversible with
treatment. Triggers include allergens, infections, and exercise. Inflammation leads to airway
hyperreactivity, resulting in wheezing, cough, and dyspnea.
7. Which statement best describes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
a) A chronic airway obstruction disease
b) A pulmonary disease characterized by severe hypoxemia, decreased pulmonary compliance,
and the presence of bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray imaging
c) A restrictive disease caused by pulmonary fibrosis
d) A viral infection of the alveoli
Answer: b) A pulmonary disease characterized by severe hypoxemia, decreased pulmonary
compliance, and the presence of bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray imaging
ARDS is an acute, life-threatening condition causing widespread alveolar injury. It leads to
impaired gas exchange, stiff lungs, and refractory hypoxemia. Common causes include sepsis,
trauma, and pneumonia.
8. When considering the signs and symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), the absence of which condition is considered characteristic?
a) Heart failure
b) Tachypnea
, c) Dyspnea
d) Hypoxemia
Answer: a) Heart failure
ARDS must be differentiated from cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Unlike heart failure, ARDS
occurs without elevated left atrial pressure. Diagnosis relies on clinical criteria, hypoxemia, and
imaging showing bilateral infiltrates.
9. What is the fundamental physiologic manifestation of anemia?
a) Hypovolemia
b) Hypoxia
c) Hypercapnia
d) Hypertension
Answer: b) Hypoxia
Anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to decreased hemoglobin or red
blood cells. Tissue hypoxia occurs, which may trigger compensatory mechanisms like increased
heart rate and respiratory rate. Symptoms include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath.
10. Considering host defense mechanisms, which element in the urine is bacteriostatic
(prevents the growth of bacteria)?
a) Glucose
b) High urea
c) Protein
d) Creatinine
Answer: b) High urea
Urea in the urine creates an environment that inhibits bacterial growth, serving as a natural
defense mechanism against urinary tract infections. It contributes to maintaining urinary sterility
in healthy individuals. Low urea levels can increase infection risk.
11. Pyelonephritis is usually caused by which type of organism?
a) Virus
b) Fungus
c) Bacteria
d) Parasite
Answer: c) Bacteria
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the renal pelvis and parenchyma, most commonly caused by
bacteria such as Escherichia coli. It often occurs secondary to a urinary tract infection that
ascends to the kidneys. Symptoms include flank pain, fever, nausea, and urinary frequency.
12. A patient exhibits symptoms including hematuria with red blood cell casts and
proteinuria exceeding 3 to 5 g/day, with albumin as the major protein. These data suggest
the presence of which disorder?
a) Nephrolithiasis
b) Glomerulonephritis
c) Pyelonephritis
d) Cystitis
Answer: b) Glomerulonephritis
Explanations (Respiratory, Hematology, Renal, Infectious, and Pain
Management)
1. Clinical manifestations of decreased exercise tolerance, wheezing, shortness of breath,
and productive cough are indicative of which respiratory disorder?
a) Emphysema
b) Chronic bronchitis
c) Pneumonia
d) Asthma
Answer: b) Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and
excessive mucus production. Patients often present with productive cough, wheezing, and
shortness of breath, especially in the morning. Smoking is the primary risk factor and contributes
to airway obstruction and recurrent infections.
2. Clinical manifestations that include unexplained weight loss, dyspnea on exertion, use of
accessory muscles, and tachypnea with prolonged expiration are indicative of which
respiratory disorder?
a) Chronic bronchitis
b) Asthma
c) Emphysema
d) Pneumonia
Answer: c) Emphysema
Emphysema involves destruction of alveolar walls, leading to decreased elastic recoil and
airflow limitation. Patients often experience dyspnea, use of accessory muscles for breathing,
and a characteristic “barrel chest.” Weight loss may occur due to increased work of breathing
and metabolic demand.
3. Clinical manifestations of inspiratory crackles, increased tactile fremitus, egophony, and
whispered pectoriloquy are indicative of which respiratory condition?
a) Chronic bronchitis
b) Pneumonia
c) Pulmonary edema
d) Asthma
Answer: b) Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma that causes alveolar inflammation and
consolidation. Clinical signs include crackles, increased tactile fremitus, egophony, and
whispered pectoriloquy due to dense lung tissue transmitting sound. Patients also commonly
present with fever, cough, and purulent sputum.
4. What medical term is used to identify the presence of pus in the pleural space?
a) Empyema
b) Pneumothorax
,c) Hemothorax
d) Pleural effusion
Answer: a) Empyema
Empyema is the accumulation of pus in the pleural space, usually secondary to bacterial
infection or pneumonia. It can cause fever, chest pain, dyspnea, and systemic signs of infection.
Treatment often involves antibiotics and drainage of the purulent fluid.
5. Bronchiolitis tends to occur during the first years of life and is most often caused by
what type of infection?
a) Influenza virus
b) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
c) Adenovirus
d) Rhinovirus
Answer: b) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the small airways in infants and young children. RSV is the
most common causative pathogen, leading to inflammation, mucus production, and airway
obstruction. Symptoms include wheezing, cough, and difficulty breathing.
6. Which statement accurately describes childhood asthma?
a) A restrictive lung disease
b) An obstructive airway disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction, bronchial
hyperreactivity, and inflammation
c) A chronic infection of the bronchi
d) An autoimmune disorder affecting the lungs
Answer: b) An obstructive airway disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction,
bronchial hyperreactivity, and inflammation
Childhood asthma is marked by episodic airway obstruction that is often reversible with
treatment. Triggers include allergens, infections, and exercise. Inflammation leads to airway
hyperreactivity, resulting in wheezing, cough, and dyspnea.
7. Which statement best describes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
a) A chronic airway obstruction disease
b) A pulmonary disease characterized by severe hypoxemia, decreased pulmonary compliance,
and the presence of bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray imaging
c) A restrictive disease caused by pulmonary fibrosis
d) A viral infection of the alveoli
Answer: b) A pulmonary disease characterized by severe hypoxemia, decreased pulmonary
compliance, and the presence of bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray imaging
ARDS is an acute, life-threatening condition causing widespread alveolar injury. It leads to
impaired gas exchange, stiff lungs, and refractory hypoxemia. Common causes include sepsis,
trauma, and pneumonia.
8. When considering the signs and symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), the absence of which condition is considered characteristic?
a) Heart failure
b) Tachypnea
, c) Dyspnea
d) Hypoxemia
Answer: a) Heart failure
ARDS must be differentiated from cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Unlike heart failure, ARDS
occurs without elevated left atrial pressure. Diagnosis relies on clinical criteria, hypoxemia, and
imaging showing bilateral infiltrates.
9. What is the fundamental physiologic manifestation of anemia?
a) Hypovolemia
b) Hypoxia
c) Hypercapnia
d) Hypertension
Answer: b) Hypoxia
Anemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to decreased hemoglobin or red
blood cells. Tissue hypoxia occurs, which may trigger compensatory mechanisms like increased
heart rate and respiratory rate. Symptoms include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath.
10. Considering host defense mechanisms, which element in the urine is bacteriostatic
(prevents the growth of bacteria)?
a) Glucose
b) High urea
c) Protein
d) Creatinine
Answer: b) High urea
Urea in the urine creates an environment that inhibits bacterial growth, serving as a natural
defense mechanism against urinary tract infections. It contributes to maintaining urinary sterility
in healthy individuals. Low urea levels can increase infection risk.
11. Pyelonephritis is usually caused by which type of organism?
a) Virus
b) Fungus
c) Bacteria
d) Parasite
Answer: c) Bacteria
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the renal pelvis and parenchyma, most commonly caused by
bacteria such as Escherichia coli. It often occurs secondary to a urinary tract infection that
ascends to the kidneys. Symptoms include flank pain, fever, nausea, and urinary frequency.
12. A patient exhibits symptoms including hematuria with red blood cell casts and
proteinuria exceeding 3 to 5 g/day, with albumin as the major protein. These data suggest
the presence of which disorder?
a) Nephrolithiasis
b) Glomerulonephritis
c) Pyelonephritis
d) Cystitis
Answer: b) Glomerulonephritis
