NUR2790 Exam 2 V3 | NUR 2790
Professional Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a craniotomy. What is the primary
reason for maintaining the head of the bed at 30 to 45 degrees?
A. To prevent the development of deep vein thrombosis.
B. To promote maximum lung expansion and prevent pneumonia.
C. To improve the patient’s comfort and ability to swallow.
D. To facilitate venous drainage from the brain and reduce intracranial pressure.
Answer: D
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees promotes venous return from
the brain through the jugular veins, which helps lower intracranial pressure (ICP). While
other benefits like lung expansion occur, the priority post-craniotomy is neurological
stability.
2. A patient in the intensive care unit is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. Which of the
following hemodynamic parameters would the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP).
B. Decreased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP).
C. Increased Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP).
,D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR).
Answer: B
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, there is a decrease in circulating volume, leading to
decreased filling pressures in the heart, such as PAWP and CVP. SVR typically increases as a
compensatory mechanism to maintain blood pressure.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The patient opens
their eyes to sound, uses inappropriate words, and withdraws from pain. What is the
patient’s GCS score?
A. 8
B. 9
C. 11
D. 10
Answer: D
Rationale: Eyes: opens to sound (3); Verbal: inappropriate words (3); Motor: withdraws
from pain (4). 3 + 3 + 4 = 10.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of neurogenic shock that distinguishes it
from other types of shock?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
, C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is characterized by the loss of sympathetic tone, which leads
to bradycardia and vasodilation (warm, dry skin). Most other forms of shock present with
tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism.
5. A patient with a spinal cord injury at the T6 level reports a sudden, severe headache and is
found to be diaphoretic with a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Sit the patient upright to lower blood pressure.
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication as ordered.
D. Check the patient’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms describe Autonomic Dysreflexia. The first priority is to sit the
patient upright (high-Fowler’s) to utilize orthostatic hypotension to lower blood pressure,
followed by identifying and removing the noxious stimulus.
Professional Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A |
Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a craniotomy. What is the primary
reason for maintaining the head of the bed at 30 to 45 degrees?
A. To prevent the development of deep vein thrombosis.
B. To promote maximum lung expansion and prevent pneumonia.
C. To improve the patient’s comfort and ability to swallow.
D. To facilitate venous drainage from the brain and reduce intracranial pressure.
Answer: D
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees promotes venous return from
the brain through the jugular veins, which helps lower intracranial pressure (ICP). While
other benefits like lung expansion occur, the priority post-craniotomy is neurological
stability.
2. A patient in the intensive care unit is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. Which of the
following hemodynamic parameters would the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP).
B. Decreased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP).
C. Increased Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP).
,D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR).
Answer: B
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, there is a decrease in circulating volume, leading to
decreased filling pressures in the heart, such as PAWP and CVP. SVR typically increases as a
compensatory mechanism to maintain blood pressure.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The patient opens
their eyes to sound, uses inappropriate words, and withdraws from pain. What is the
patient’s GCS score?
A. 8
B. 9
C. 11
D. 10
Answer: D
Rationale: Eyes: opens to sound (3); Verbal: inappropriate words (3); Motor: withdraws
from pain (4). 3 + 3 + 4 = 10.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of neurogenic shock that distinguishes it
from other types of shock?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
, C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is characterized by the loss of sympathetic tone, which leads
to bradycardia and vasodilation (warm, dry skin). Most other forms of shock present with
tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism.
5. A patient with a spinal cord injury at the T6 level reports a sudden, severe headache and is
found to be diaphoretic with a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Sit the patient upright to lower blood pressure.
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication as ordered.
D. Check the patient’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms describe Autonomic Dysreflexia. The first priority is to sit the
patient upright (high-Fowler’s) to utilize orthostatic hypotension to lower blood pressure,
followed by identifying and removing the noxious stimulus.
