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2025 Updated NURS6202 (Capella)Advanced
Pathophysiology Final Exam Guide Q & A
7 warning sides of cancer - . . ANSWER ✓✓ caution
change in bowel or bladder habits
a sore that doesn't heal
unusual bleeding or discharge
thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
indigestion or difficulty swallowing
obvious change in wart or mole
nagging cough or hoarseness
abnormal respiratory patterns in coma - . . ANSWER ✓✓ Cheyne
Stokes: cycles of hyperventilation and apnea; bilateral
hemisphere
Central neurogenic hyperventilation: sustained, regular, rapid,
deep breathing; brainstem between lower midbrain/upper pons
Apneustic breathing: prolonged inspiratory with expiratory
pauses; mid/lower pons
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cluster breathing: cluster of breaths with irregular pauses
between; medulla or lower pons
ataxic breathing: irregular, some deep, some shallow; random,
irregular pauses, slow rate; medulla
acute care emergency assessment - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Altered
LOC
•Weakness, numbness, or paralysis
•Speech, swallow, or visual disturbances
•Severe headache
•Unequal pupils
•BP/Heart rate/respiratory changes
•Bladder/bowel incontinence
•Nausea and vomiting
•Vertigo
•Seizures
acute care emergency interventions - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Ensure
patent airway, maintain oxygenation**
•Call stroke code or stroke team
•Minimize activity, position
•Obtain IV access-NS
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•CT scan immediately**
•Baseline lab tests
•Seizure precautions
•Time sx started** - can you give tpa?
acute care-ischemic - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Hypertension-common
immediately after stroke
oDrugs only if BP is markedly increased bc do not want to
decrease perfusion to the brain either
•Fluid/electrolyte balance-control
oAdequate hydration
•Monitor vital signs and neurologic status
•Aspirin-within 24-48 hrs of stroke
•Platelet inhibitors and anticoagulants
•Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) - clot busting
and establishes blood flow for ischemic strokes
oReestablishes blood flow through a blocked artery to prevent
cell death
oIV-administered within 3-4.5 hrs of onset of clinical signs of
ischemic stroke
oInterarterial tPA-within 6 hours of onset
•Acute treatment of stroke with medications
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acute intervention - . . ANSWER ✓✓ maintain cerebral perfusion
and oxygenation
manage ICP and edema
administer glucocorticoids/diuretics (dexamethasone, mannitol,
furosemide)
Mannitol (osmotic diuretic) reduces ICP
minimize procedures (suction, turn)
minimize the patient from coughing
hob elevated
decrease metabolic demands
Barbiturates/analgesics
monitor/Treat
vital signs
Watch for decompensation/shock (elevated B/P, Bradycardia,
decreased respirations)
neurologic Assessment frequent q 15 minutes-1 hour
ICP
CSF
seizure precautions
Eyes (corneal reflex, periorbital edema, diplopia)
hyperthermia (hypothalamic, infection)
2025 Updated NURS6202 (Capella)Advanced
Pathophysiology Final Exam Guide Q & A
7 warning sides of cancer - . . ANSWER ✓✓ caution
change in bowel or bladder habits
a sore that doesn't heal
unusual bleeding or discharge
thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
indigestion or difficulty swallowing
obvious change in wart or mole
nagging cough or hoarseness
abnormal respiratory patterns in coma - . . ANSWER ✓✓ Cheyne
Stokes: cycles of hyperventilation and apnea; bilateral
hemisphere
Central neurogenic hyperventilation: sustained, regular, rapid,
deep breathing; brainstem between lower midbrain/upper pons
Apneustic breathing: prolonged inspiratory with expiratory
pauses; mid/lower pons
,2|Page
cluster breathing: cluster of breaths with irregular pauses
between; medulla or lower pons
ataxic breathing: irregular, some deep, some shallow; random,
irregular pauses, slow rate; medulla
acute care emergency assessment - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Altered
LOC
•Weakness, numbness, or paralysis
•Speech, swallow, or visual disturbances
•Severe headache
•Unequal pupils
•BP/Heart rate/respiratory changes
•Bladder/bowel incontinence
•Nausea and vomiting
•Vertigo
•Seizures
acute care emergency interventions - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Ensure
patent airway, maintain oxygenation**
•Call stroke code or stroke team
•Minimize activity, position
•Obtain IV access-NS
,3|Page
•CT scan immediately**
•Baseline lab tests
•Seizure precautions
•Time sx started** - can you give tpa?
acute care-ischemic - . . ANSWER ✓✓ •Hypertension-common
immediately after stroke
oDrugs only if BP is markedly increased bc do not want to
decrease perfusion to the brain either
•Fluid/electrolyte balance-control
oAdequate hydration
•Monitor vital signs and neurologic status
•Aspirin-within 24-48 hrs of stroke
•Platelet inhibitors and anticoagulants
•Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) - clot busting
and establishes blood flow for ischemic strokes
oReestablishes blood flow through a blocked artery to prevent
cell death
oIV-administered within 3-4.5 hrs of onset of clinical signs of
ischemic stroke
oInterarterial tPA-within 6 hours of onset
•Acute treatment of stroke with medications
, 4|Page
acute intervention - . . ANSWER ✓✓ maintain cerebral perfusion
and oxygenation
manage ICP and edema
administer glucocorticoids/diuretics (dexamethasone, mannitol,
furosemide)
Mannitol (osmotic diuretic) reduces ICP
minimize procedures (suction, turn)
minimize the patient from coughing
hob elevated
decrease metabolic demands
Barbiturates/analgesics
monitor/Treat
vital signs
Watch for decompensation/shock (elevated B/P, Bradycardia,
decreased respirations)
neurologic Assessment frequent q 15 minutes-1 hour
ICP
CSF
seizure precautions
Eyes (corneal reflex, periorbital edema, diplopia)
hyperthermia (hypothalamic, infection)
