Advanced Practice Nursing Program
1 MAXE 455 GSN
★ ★
NSG 554 – Infectious Disease & Emergency Care
NSG
EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
EST. 2020
NSG 554 — Advanced Practice Exam 1
I N F E C T I O U S D I S E A S E , E M E R G E N C Y M E D I C I N E & A D VA N C E D P H A R M A CO LO G Y
PROGRAM Advanced Practice Nursing COURSE NSG 554 – Infectious Disease &
(APN) Emergency Care
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM VERSION Comprehensive Q&A Review
TOTAL QUESTIONS 68 Questions FORMAT Q&A with Clinical Rationale –
Grade A Verified
EXAMINATION REVIEW GUIDE
▸ This document contains verified Q&A for NSG 554 Exam 1 (2026/2027 Update).
▸ Covers syncope, angioedema, EBV, influenza, heat illness, head trauma, chemical exposures, infectious diarrhea,
and pharmacology weight gain.
▸ Each answer includes clinical rationale and key teaching points for advanced practice.
▸ Use this guide to prepare for certification and clinical practice in emergency and infectious disease settings.
SECTION I — SYNCOPE, CARDIAC & EMERGENCY CONDITIONS Q1–Q15
1. The most common cause of syncope is...
CORRECT ANSWER: Vasovagal syncope (neurally mediated).
RATIONALE: Vasovagal syncope is triggered by emotional stress, pain, or prolonged standing. It results from
inappropriate reflex response causing bradycardia and vasodilatation. Typically preceded by prodromal symptoms
(nausea, sweating, lightheadedness).
2. What is angioedema?
CORRECT ANSWER: Localized areas of painless swelling beneath the skin, often around eyes/lips, potentially
involving airway. Often triggered by allergic reaction.
RATIONALE: Angioedema can involve laryngeal edema requiring emergency management. Distinguish from
urticaria: swelling is deeper, not pruritic. Causes include ACE inhibitors, allergies, hereditary angioedema.
3. Treatment for EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)
CORRECT ANSWER: Rest and symptomatic therapy. OTC medications for pain/fever, increase fluid intake.
RATIONALE: No antiviral indicated for uncomplicated infectious mononucleosis. Avoid contact sports for 4-6 weeks
due to splenomegaly risk. Corticosteroids for impending airway obstruction or severe complications.
, 4. This immunoglobulin is responsible for allergen development
CORRECT ANSWER: IgE (Immunoglobulin E).
RATIONALE: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering histamine release. Elevated in atopic conditions
(asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema). Involved in Type I hypersensitivity reactions.
5. Signs and Symptoms of acute bronchospasm
CORRECT ANSWER: Spasmodic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath (SOB).
RATIONALE: Expiratory wheezing is characteristic of bronchospasm. May progress to accessory muscle use,
tachypnea, hypoxia. Silent chest is ominous sign of severe obstruction.
6. Three options for emergency contraception
CORRECT ANSWER: Plan B (levonorgestrel), Ulipristal acetate (Ella), IUD (copper or hormonal).
RATIONALE: Levonorgestrel effective up to 72 hours. Ulipristal acetate effective up to 120 hours; requires
prescription. Copper IUD most effective (99%) up to 5 days post-intercourse.
7. What diabetic meds increase weight gain?
CORRECT ANSWER: Insulin, Thiazolidinediones (Rosiglitazone & Pioglitazone).
RATIONALE: Insulin promotes adipogenesis. Thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and increased adiposity.
Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists promote weight loss or are weight-neutral.
8. Causes of syncope
CORRECT ANSWER: Neurally mediated (most common), orthostatic hypotension, cardiac (most severe).
RATIONALE: Neurally mediated: vasovagal, situational, carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Orthostatic: volume depletion,
autonomic dysfunction. Cardiac: arrhythmias, structural heart disease (most lethal if missed).
9. This scale measures severity of head trauma and scores these three categories
CORRECT ANSWER: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Categories: Eye Opening, Best Motor Response, Best Verbal
Response. Highest score 15.
RATIONALE: GCS 13-15 mild, 9-12 moderate, 3-8 severe TBI. Motor response most predictive of outcome. Intubation
indicated for GCS ≤8.
1 MAXE 455 GSN
★ ★
NSG 554 – Infectious Disease & Emergency Care
NSG
EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
EST. 2020
NSG 554 — Advanced Practice Exam 1
I N F E C T I O U S D I S E A S E , E M E R G E N C Y M E D I C I N E & A D VA N C E D P H A R M A CO LO G Y
PROGRAM Advanced Practice Nursing COURSE NSG 554 – Infectious Disease &
(APN) Emergency Care
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM VERSION Comprehensive Q&A Review
TOTAL QUESTIONS 68 Questions FORMAT Q&A with Clinical Rationale –
Grade A Verified
EXAMINATION REVIEW GUIDE
▸ This document contains verified Q&A for NSG 554 Exam 1 (2026/2027 Update).
▸ Covers syncope, angioedema, EBV, influenza, heat illness, head trauma, chemical exposures, infectious diarrhea,
and pharmacology weight gain.
▸ Each answer includes clinical rationale and key teaching points for advanced practice.
▸ Use this guide to prepare for certification and clinical practice in emergency and infectious disease settings.
SECTION I — SYNCOPE, CARDIAC & EMERGENCY CONDITIONS Q1–Q15
1. The most common cause of syncope is...
CORRECT ANSWER: Vasovagal syncope (neurally mediated).
RATIONALE: Vasovagal syncope is triggered by emotional stress, pain, or prolonged standing. It results from
inappropriate reflex response causing bradycardia and vasodilatation. Typically preceded by prodromal symptoms
(nausea, sweating, lightheadedness).
2. What is angioedema?
CORRECT ANSWER: Localized areas of painless swelling beneath the skin, often around eyes/lips, potentially
involving airway. Often triggered by allergic reaction.
RATIONALE: Angioedema can involve laryngeal edema requiring emergency management. Distinguish from
urticaria: swelling is deeper, not pruritic. Causes include ACE inhibitors, allergies, hereditary angioedema.
3. Treatment for EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus)
CORRECT ANSWER: Rest and symptomatic therapy. OTC medications for pain/fever, increase fluid intake.
RATIONALE: No antiviral indicated for uncomplicated infectious mononucleosis. Avoid contact sports for 4-6 weeks
due to splenomegaly risk. Corticosteroids for impending airway obstruction or severe complications.
, 4. This immunoglobulin is responsible for allergen development
CORRECT ANSWER: IgE (Immunoglobulin E).
RATIONALE: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering histamine release. Elevated in atopic conditions
(asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema). Involved in Type I hypersensitivity reactions.
5. Signs and Symptoms of acute bronchospasm
CORRECT ANSWER: Spasmodic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath (SOB).
RATIONALE: Expiratory wheezing is characteristic of bronchospasm. May progress to accessory muscle use,
tachypnea, hypoxia. Silent chest is ominous sign of severe obstruction.
6. Three options for emergency contraception
CORRECT ANSWER: Plan B (levonorgestrel), Ulipristal acetate (Ella), IUD (copper or hormonal).
RATIONALE: Levonorgestrel effective up to 72 hours. Ulipristal acetate effective up to 120 hours; requires
prescription. Copper IUD most effective (99%) up to 5 days post-intercourse.
7. What diabetic meds increase weight gain?
CORRECT ANSWER: Insulin, Thiazolidinediones (Rosiglitazone & Pioglitazone).
RATIONALE: Insulin promotes adipogenesis. Thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and increased adiposity.
Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists promote weight loss or are weight-neutral.
8. Causes of syncope
CORRECT ANSWER: Neurally mediated (most common), orthostatic hypotension, cardiac (most severe).
RATIONALE: Neurally mediated: vasovagal, situational, carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Orthostatic: volume depletion,
autonomic dysfunction. Cardiac: arrhythmias, structural heart disease (most lethal if missed).
9. This scale measures severity of head trauma and scores these three categories
CORRECT ANSWER: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Categories: Eye Opening, Best Motor Response, Best Verbal
Response. Highest score 15.
RATIONALE: GCS 13-15 mild, 9-12 moderate, 3-8 severe TBI. Motor response most predictive of outcome. Intubation
indicated for GCS ≤8.
