NUR 501 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
In COPD/EMPHYSEMA/CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, Carbon dioxide narcosis and associated
manifestations are? - ANS ✔✔Continuous rise in carbon dioxide level that can induce
deleterious manifestations. Manifestations of carbon dioxide narcosis include altered level of
consciousness, tremors/seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and hypotension. Individuals who are at
risk for carbon dioxide narcosis: diagnosed with emphysema (alveoli are destroyed), over-
medicated with opioids and sedatives, higher amounts of oxygen for prolonged periods of time,
and COPD exacerbations.
IN COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is the Tripod positioning? - ANS ✔✔A position
used by patients with COPD/emphysema to help facilitate breathing. Encourage the patient to
sit on the edge of the bed or upright in a chair with their arms leaning on an over-the-bed table.
In COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is Chronic bronchitis and ineffective airway
clearance? - ANS ✔✔Think about why a patient with chronic bronchitis has an ineffective airway
clearance. What about their disease process makes it difficult to maintain a patient airway? How
can we enhance an effective airway clearance? Adequate fluids, effective coughing techniques,
ambulation/positioning, cough expectorants, and tobacco cessation.
In COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is Dietary and nutritional concerns with patients
who have COPD/emphysema? - ANS ✔✔Weight loss and malnutrition are big concerns as the
disease progresses. What are ways to enhance nutritional outcomes in these individuals?
Resting before meals, eating smaller and frequent meals, avoid gas-producing foods (i.e.
broccoli, cabbage, etc.), consuming high-calorie meals, may require nutritional supplements,
pacing self with meals and utilization of oxygen during meals.
IN COPD/ Emphysema/ Chronic Bronchitis, What are Interventions to improve nutritional
outcomes in patients who have COPD/emphysema? - ANS ✔✔Weight loss and malnutrition are
big concerns as the disease progresses. What are ways to enhance nutritional outcomes in
these individuals? Resting before meals, eating smaller and frequent meals, avoid gas-producing
, foods (i.e. broccoli, cabbage, etc.), consuming high-calorie meals, may require nutritional
supplements, pacing self with meals and utilization of oxygen during meals.
In Influenza, What are Teaching points for patients who are suffering from influenza (besides
antivirals)? - ANS ✔✔Hand hygiene, rest, avoid others when sick, plenty of fluids, good
nutrition, over-the-counter analgesics, monitor for potential secondary complications (i.e.
pneumonia), and cover mouth when sneezing and coughing.
In Fractures, What are Compartment syndrome and associated manifestations? - ANS
✔✔Syndrome of inadequate tissue perfusion distal to the site of injury/fracture. Can occur
secondary to the initial injury (swelling/bleeding/hematoma formation) or casting. Pressure on
the compartments can lead to ischemia and subsequent infarction.
In Fractures, What are Nursing considerations when caring for a patient in traction? - ANS
✔✔Skin traction (Buck's):
Skeletal traction:
With both types of traction, you need to keep weight of countertraction continuously applied
and the weights should be off the floor.
- ANS ✔✔short-term traction before surgery, monitor skin integrity, overall goal of traction is to
alleviate pain and reduce muscle spasms. Does help to maintain alignment and reduce further
damage from injury.
Skeletal traction - ANS ✔✔pins and screws inserted directly into bone. To maintain alignment by
applying continuous countertraction. Monitor for manifestations of localized infection and
complications from immobility.
What are teaching points with cast care (plaster)? - ANS ✔✔Don't put anything under cast,
avoid getting the cast wet, keep elevated (avoid dependent position), ice for 24-48 hours after
application, and monitor for neurovascular compromise.
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
In COPD/EMPHYSEMA/CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, Carbon dioxide narcosis and associated
manifestations are? - ANS ✔✔Continuous rise in carbon dioxide level that can induce
deleterious manifestations. Manifestations of carbon dioxide narcosis include altered level of
consciousness, tremors/seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and hypotension. Individuals who are at
risk for carbon dioxide narcosis: diagnosed with emphysema (alveoli are destroyed), over-
medicated with opioids and sedatives, higher amounts of oxygen for prolonged periods of time,
and COPD exacerbations.
IN COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is the Tripod positioning? - ANS ✔✔A position
used by patients with COPD/emphysema to help facilitate breathing. Encourage the patient to
sit on the edge of the bed or upright in a chair with their arms leaning on an over-the-bed table.
In COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is Chronic bronchitis and ineffective airway
clearance? - ANS ✔✔Think about why a patient with chronic bronchitis has an ineffective airway
clearance. What about their disease process makes it difficult to maintain a patient airway? How
can we enhance an effective airway clearance? Adequate fluids, effective coughing techniques,
ambulation/positioning, cough expectorants, and tobacco cessation.
In COPD/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis, What is Dietary and nutritional concerns with patients
who have COPD/emphysema? - ANS ✔✔Weight loss and malnutrition are big concerns as the
disease progresses. What are ways to enhance nutritional outcomes in these individuals?
Resting before meals, eating smaller and frequent meals, avoid gas-producing foods (i.e.
broccoli, cabbage, etc.), consuming high-calorie meals, may require nutritional supplements,
pacing self with meals and utilization of oxygen during meals.
IN COPD/ Emphysema/ Chronic Bronchitis, What are Interventions to improve nutritional
outcomes in patients who have COPD/emphysema? - ANS ✔✔Weight loss and malnutrition are
big concerns as the disease progresses. What are ways to enhance nutritional outcomes in
these individuals? Resting before meals, eating smaller and frequent meals, avoid gas-producing
, foods (i.e. broccoli, cabbage, etc.), consuming high-calorie meals, may require nutritional
supplements, pacing self with meals and utilization of oxygen during meals.
In Influenza, What are Teaching points for patients who are suffering from influenza (besides
antivirals)? - ANS ✔✔Hand hygiene, rest, avoid others when sick, plenty of fluids, good
nutrition, over-the-counter analgesics, monitor for potential secondary complications (i.e.
pneumonia), and cover mouth when sneezing and coughing.
In Fractures, What are Compartment syndrome and associated manifestations? - ANS
✔✔Syndrome of inadequate tissue perfusion distal to the site of injury/fracture. Can occur
secondary to the initial injury (swelling/bleeding/hematoma formation) or casting. Pressure on
the compartments can lead to ischemia and subsequent infarction.
In Fractures, What are Nursing considerations when caring for a patient in traction? - ANS
✔✔Skin traction (Buck's):
Skeletal traction:
With both types of traction, you need to keep weight of countertraction continuously applied
and the weights should be off the floor.
- ANS ✔✔short-term traction before surgery, monitor skin integrity, overall goal of traction is to
alleviate pain and reduce muscle spasms. Does help to maintain alignment and reduce further
damage from injury.
Skeletal traction - ANS ✔✔pins and screws inserted directly into bone. To maintain alignment by
applying continuous countertraction. Monitor for manifestations of localized infection and
complications from immobility.
What are teaching points with cast care (plaster)? - ANS ✔✔Don't put anything under cast,
avoid getting the cast wet, keep elevated (avoid dependent position), ice for 24-48 hours after
application, and monitor for neurovascular compromise.
