NR 601 EXAM SCRIPT 2026 WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
◉ What is the preferred amount of exercise for elderly? Answer:
30min/day 5 days/wk of moderate exercise.
If trying to lose wt: 60min/day.
◉ What are PFTs? Answer: Group of tests that provide quantifiable
measurement of lung function, used to dx resp abnormalities or assess
progression/resolution of lung dz.
◉ What is FEV1? Answer: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (80-
120%)
◉ What is FVC? Answer: Forced Vital Capacity (80-120%)
◉ What is normal FEV1/FVC ratio? Answer: <0.7 (70%)
◉ What is GOLD 1 criteria? Answer: Mild
FEV1 >/= 80% predicted
,◉ What is GOLD 2 criteria? Answer: Moderate
FEV1 50-79% predicted
◉ What is GOLD 3 criteria? Answer: Severe
FEV1 30-49% predicted
◉ What is GOLD 4 criteria? Answer: Very severe
FEV1 <30% predicted
◉ What are the signal symptoms of COPD? Answer: Dyspnea
Chronic cough w/sputum
Decreased activity tolerance
Wheezing
◉ What are characteristics of COPD? Answer: Common, preventable,
treatable.
Characterized by persistent airflow limitation.
Usually progressive, associated with enhanced chronic inflammatory
response in airways and lungs to noxious particles/gases
,Airway fibrosis, luminal plugs, airway inflammation, increased airway
resistance, small airway dz.
Decreased elastic recoil of alveoli.
◉ What are risk factors for COPD? Answer: Smoking (increasing
w/number of pack years)
Second hand smoke
Environmental pollution (endotoxins, coal dust, mineral dust)
◉ What is seen on phys exam in COPD? Answer: May be normal in
early states
As severity progresses: lung hyperinflation, decreased breath sounds,
wheezes at bases, distant heart tones (b/c of hyperinflation, so S1/S2
sounds off in distance), accessory muscle use, pursed lip breathing,
increased expiratory phase, neck vein distention.
◉ How is COPD diagnosed? Answer: Spirometry is gold standard (pre
and post bronchodilator).
Irreversible airflow limitation is hallmark.
, ◉ How is COPD treated? Answer: Bronchodilators: beta agonists
(long/short), anticholinergics (long/short), or combo.
◉ What is the MOA of beta agonists? Answer: Stimulates beta-2-
adrenergic receptors, increasing cyclic AMP, resulting in relaxing
airways.
◉ What is the MOA of anticholinergics? Answer: Block the effect of
acetylcholine on muscarinic type 3 receptors, resulting in
bronchodilation.
◉ Why are long-acting beta agonists prescribed for COPD? Answer:
They are for moderate airflow limitation.
They relieve symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, reduce number of
exacerbations, improve QOL.
◉ What are some non pulmonary diagnoses that result in COPD-type
symptoms? Answer: CHF
Hyperventilation syndrome
Panic attacks
Vocal cord dysfunction
Obstructive sleep apnea
Aspergillosis
SOLUTIONS
◉ What is the preferred amount of exercise for elderly? Answer:
30min/day 5 days/wk of moderate exercise.
If trying to lose wt: 60min/day.
◉ What are PFTs? Answer: Group of tests that provide quantifiable
measurement of lung function, used to dx resp abnormalities or assess
progression/resolution of lung dz.
◉ What is FEV1? Answer: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (80-
120%)
◉ What is FVC? Answer: Forced Vital Capacity (80-120%)
◉ What is normal FEV1/FVC ratio? Answer: <0.7 (70%)
◉ What is GOLD 1 criteria? Answer: Mild
FEV1 >/= 80% predicted
,◉ What is GOLD 2 criteria? Answer: Moderate
FEV1 50-79% predicted
◉ What is GOLD 3 criteria? Answer: Severe
FEV1 30-49% predicted
◉ What is GOLD 4 criteria? Answer: Very severe
FEV1 <30% predicted
◉ What are the signal symptoms of COPD? Answer: Dyspnea
Chronic cough w/sputum
Decreased activity tolerance
Wheezing
◉ What are characteristics of COPD? Answer: Common, preventable,
treatable.
Characterized by persistent airflow limitation.
Usually progressive, associated with enhanced chronic inflammatory
response in airways and lungs to noxious particles/gases
,Airway fibrosis, luminal plugs, airway inflammation, increased airway
resistance, small airway dz.
Decreased elastic recoil of alveoli.
◉ What are risk factors for COPD? Answer: Smoking (increasing
w/number of pack years)
Second hand smoke
Environmental pollution (endotoxins, coal dust, mineral dust)
◉ What is seen on phys exam in COPD? Answer: May be normal in
early states
As severity progresses: lung hyperinflation, decreased breath sounds,
wheezes at bases, distant heart tones (b/c of hyperinflation, so S1/S2
sounds off in distance), accessory muscle use, pursed lip breathing,
increased expiratory phase, neck vein distention.
◉ How is COPD diagnosed? Answer: Spirometry is gold standard (pre
and post bronchodilator).
Irreversible airflow limitation is hallmark.
, ◉ How is COPD treated? Answer: Bronchodilators: beta agonists
(long/short), anticholinergics (long/short), or combo.
◉ What is the MOA of beta agonists? Answer: Stimulates beta-2-
adrenergic receptors, increasing cyclic AMP, resulting in relaxing
airways.
◉ What is the MOA of anticholinergics? Answer: Block the effect of
acetylcholine on muscarinic type 3 receptors, resulting in
bronchodilation.
◉ Why are long-acting beta agonists prescribed for COPD? Answer:
They are for moderate airflow limitation.
They relieve symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, reduce number of
exacerbations, improve QOL.
◉ What are some non pulmonary diagnoses that result in COPD-type
symptoms? Answer: CHF
Hyperventilation syndrome
Panic attacks
Vocal cord dysfunction
Obstructive sleep apnea
Aspergillosis
