1
NURS 6501 & NURS 6521 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST VERSION
1. A patient presents with chronic heart failure and reduced
ejection fraction. Which pathophysiologic mechanism is
primarily responsible for fluid retention?
A. Activation of the RAAS system
B. Increased atrial natriuretic peptide
C. Decreased sympathetic activity
D. Reduced aldosterone secretion
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output triggers RAAS activation →
sodium and water retention.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient on
ACE inhibitors?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia due to
decreased aldosterone.
3. A patient with COPD exacerbation is on high-dose steroids.
Which complication is most likely?
,2
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Corticosteroids increase gluconeogenesis →
hyperglycemia.
4. Which clinical finding is indicative of early sepsis in an adult
patient?
A. Fever, tachycardia, and elevated WBC
B. Hypothermia, bradycardia
C. Normal vitals, elevated lactate
D. Hypotension only
Answer: A
5. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. HR 50 bpm with symptoms of dizziness
B. BP 110/70 mmHg
C. Mild ankle edema
D. Occasional cough
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; symptomatic
bradycardia is dangerous.
, 3
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with
chronic kidney disease?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
7. In adults, the best diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism is:
A. CT pulmonary angiography
B. Chest X-ray
C. V/Q scan
D. Pulmonary function tests
Answer: A
8. A patient on warfarin has an INR of 4.5 without bleeding.
What is the most appropriate action?
A. Hold warfarin and monitor
B. Administer vitamin K immediately
C. Increase warfarin dose
D. Administer heparin
Answer: A
9. Which medication class is first-line for type 2 diabetes
management?
A. Metformin
B. Sulfonylureas
NURS 6501 & NURS 6521 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST VERSION
1. A patient presents with chronic heart failure and reduced
ejection fraction. Which pathophysiologic mechanism is
primarily responsible for fluid retention?
A. Activation of the RAAS system
B. Increased atrial natriuretic peptide
C. Decreased sympathetic activity
D. Reduced aldosterone secretion
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output triggers RAAS activation →
sodium and water retention.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient on
ACE inhibitors?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia due to
decreased aldosterone.
3. A patient with COPD exacerbation is on high-dose steroids.
Which complication is most likely?
,2
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Corticosteroids increase gluconeogenesis →
hyperglycemia.
4. Which clinical finding is indicative of early sepsis in an adult
patient?
A. Fever, tachycardia, and elevated WBC
B. Hypothermia, bradycardia
C. Normal vitals, elevated lactate
D. Hypotension only
Answer: A
5. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. HR 50 bpm with symptoms of dizziness
B. BP 110/70 mmHg
C. Mild ankle edema
D. Occasional cough
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; symptomatic
bradycardia is dangerous.
, 3
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with
chronic kidney disease?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
7. In adults, the best diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism is:
A. CT pulmonary angiography
B. Chest X-ray
C. V/Q scan
D. Pulmonary function tests
Answer: A
8. A patient on warfarin has an INR of 4.5 without bleeding.
What is the most appropriate action?
A. Hold warfarin and monitor
B. Administer vitamin K immediately
C. Increase warfarin dose
D. Administer heparin
Answer: A
9. Which medication class is first-line for type 2 diabetes
management?
A. Metformin
B. Sulfonylureas
