NUR 206 EXAM: ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL
MANAGEMENT
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the HCO3 is within normal range, indicating no compensation has occurred
yet.
2. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
,B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, significantly
increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity even at therapeutic serum levels.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a Tension Pneumothorax?
A. Increased tactile fremitus
B. Inspiration crackles at the bases
C. Dullness on percussion of the affected side
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes air to build up in the pleural
space, shifting mediastinal structures and deviating the trachea toward the opposite side.
4. A patient is admitted with suspected Myocardial Infarction. Which cardiac biomarker is
most specific for myocardial injury and remains elevated for up to two weeks?
A. Troponin T
B. Myoglobin
, C. CK-MB
D. BNP
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Troponins are highly specific to cardiac muscle and stay
elevated longer than CK-MB or Myoglobin, making them the gold standard for MI diagnosis.
5. When assessing a patient with Cushing’s Syndrome, which finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Hypotension and weight loss
B. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
C. Hirsutism and truncal obesity
D. Increased skin pigmentation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome results from excess cortisol, leading to
truncal obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, and hirsutism due to androgen excess.
6. A client is diagnosed with SIADH. Which laboratory result is most consistent with this
diagnosis?
A. Serum sodium 120 mEq/L
B. Serum osmolality 310 mOsm/kg
C. Urine specific gravity 1.002
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL
MANAGEMENT
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the HCO3 is within normal range, indicating no compensation has occurred
yet.
2. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
,B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, significantly
increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity even at therapeutic serum levels.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a Tension Pneumothorax?
A. Increased tactile fremitus
B. Inspiration crackles at the bases
C. Dullness on percussion of the affected side
D. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes air to build up in the pleural
space, shifting mediastinal structures and deviating the trachea toward the opposite side.
4. A patient is admitted with suspected Myocardial Infarction. Which cardiac biomarker is
most specific for myocardial injury and remains elevated for up to two weeks?
A. Troponin T
B. Myoglobin
, C. CK-MB
D. BNP
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Troponins are highly specific to cardiac muscle and stay
elevated longer than CK-MB or Myoglobin, making them the gold standard for MI diagnosis.
5. When assessing a patient with Cushing’s Syndrome, which finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Hypotension and weight loss
B. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
C. Hirsutism and truncal obesity
D. Increased skin pigmentation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome results from excess cortisol, leading to
truncal obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, and hirsutism due to androgen excess.
6. A client is diagnosed with SIADH. Which laboratory result is most consistent with this
diagnosis?
A. Serum sodium 120 mEq/L
B. Serum osmolality 310 mOsm/kg
C. Urine specific gravity 1.002
