NSG 555 Final Exam- Questions &
Rationales for Advanced Practice
Nursing
## Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Emergencies
**1. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with suspected
pulmonary embolism?**
- A. Administer oxygen and notify provider immediately
- B. Delay intervention until labs return
- C. Encourage ambulation
- D. Restrict fluids
**Correct Answer: A. Administer oxygen and notify provider
immediately**
**Rationale:** Pulmonary embolism can rapidly cause hypoxemia and
hemodynamic instability. Early oxygen administration and immediate
,medical notification are critical to prevent respiratory failure and
cardiac arrest.
---
**2. Which nursing action is the priority for a patient with acute heart
failure and pulmonary edema?**
- A. Position upright, administer oxygen, and diuretics
- B. Encourage fluids
- C. Delay treatment
- D. Restrict monitoring
**Correct Answer: A. Position upright, administer oxygen, and
diuretics**
**Rationale:** Upright positioning reduces venous return and preload,
while oxygen and diuretics improve oxygenation and reduce pulmonary
congestion.
---
**3. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with suspected
acute myocardial infarction?**
- A. Administer aspirin and oxygen immediately
,- B. Delay intervention until labs return
- C. Encourage mobility
- D. Restrict fluids
**Correct Answer: A. Administer aspirin and oxygen immediately**
**Rationale:** Early aspirin administration reduces mortality by
inhibiting platelet aggregation, and oxygen therapy prevents hypoxia.
Rapid intervention minimizes myocardial damage.
---
**4. Which symptom is most indicative of thyroid storm?**
- A. Fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status
- B. Mild fatigue only
- C. Weight gain only
- D. Constipation only
**Correct Answer: A. Fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status**
**Rationale:** Thyroid storm presents with high fever, extreme
tachycardia, and altered mental status as life-threatening
manifestations of severe hyperthyroidism.
, ---
**5. Which symptom differentiates hyperthyroidism from anxiety?**
- A. Weight loss with tachycardia and heat intolerance
- B. Mild nervousness only
- C. Fatigue only
- D. Low-grade fever only
**Correct Answer: A. Weight loss with tachycardia and heat
intolerance**
**Rationale:** Hyperthyroidism presents with systemic metabolic
changes including unintentional weight loss, heat intolerance, and
persistent tachycardia, distinguishing it from primary anxiety disorders.
---
## Neurological & Endocrine Conditions
**6. Which symptom is most indicative of increased intracranial
pressure in adults?**
- A. Severe headache, vomiting, and pupillary changes
Rationales for Advanced Practice
Nursing
## Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Emergencies
**1. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with suspected
pulmonary embolism?**
- A. Administer oxygen and notify provider immediately
- B. Delay intervention until labs return
- C. Encourage ambulation
- D. Restrict fluids
**Correct Answer: A. Administer oxygen and notify provider
immediately**
**Rationale:** Pulmonary embolism can rapidly cause hypoxemia and
hemodynamic instability. Early oxygen administration and immediate
,medical notification are critical to prevent respiratory failure and
cardiac arrest.
---
**2. Which nursing action is the priority for a patient with acute heart
failure and pulmonary edema?**
- A. Position upright, administer oxygen, and diuretics
- B. Encourage fluids
- C. Delay treatment
- D. Restrict monitoring
**Correct Answer: A. Position upright, administer oxygen, and
diuretics**
**Rationale:** Upright positioning reduces venous return and preload,
while oxygen and diuretics improve oxygenation and reduce pulmonary
congestion.
---
**3. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with suspected
acute myocardial infarction?**
- A. Administer aspirin and oxygen immediately
,- B. Delay intervention until labs return
- C. Encourage mobility
- D. Restrict fluids
**Correct Answer: A. Administer aspirin and oxygen immediately**
**Rationale:** Early aspirin administration reduces mortality by
inhibiting platelet aggregation, and oxygen therapy prevents hypoxia.
Rapid intervention minimizes myocardial damage.
---
**4. Which symptom is most indicative of thyroid storm?**
- A. Fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status
- B. Mild fatigue only
- C. Weight gain only
- D. Constipation only
**Correct Answer: A. Fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status**
**Rationale:** Thyroid storm presents with high fever, extreme
tachycardia, and altered mental status as life-threatening
manifestations of severe hyperthyroidism.
, ---
**5. Which symptom differentiates hyperthyroidism from anxiety?**
- A. Weight loss with tachycardia and heat intolerance
- B. Mild nervousness only
- C. Fatigue only
- D. Low-grade fever only
**Correct Answer: A. Weight loss with tachycardia and heat
intolerance**
**Rationale:** Hyperthyroidism presents with systemic metabolic
changes including unintentional weight loss, heat intolerance, and
persistent tachycardia, distinguishing it from primary anxiety disorders.
---
## Neurological & Endocrine Conditions
**6. Which symptom is most indicative of increased intracranial
pressure in adults?**
- A. Severe headache, vomiting, and pupillary changes
