NUR 309 FINAL EXAM | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is healing by primary intention? - ANS ✔✔Healing that occurs when the edges of a wound
are close together, resulting in quick healing with minimal scarring.
What is healing by secondary intention? - ANS ✔✔Healing that occurs when the edges of a
wound are far apart or tissue is lost, requiring the body to fill the gap with new tissue, resulting
in slower healing and more scarring.
What are the causes of delayed wound healing? - ANS ✔✔Infection, poor blood supply,
diabetes, and poor nutrition.
What is wound dehiscence? - ANS ✔✔The reopening of a wound after being closed, usually due
to weak tissues or excessive tension.
What are hypertrophic scars? - ANS ✔✔Raised, thick, and red scars that remain within the
edges of the original wound.
What are keloids? - ANS ✔✔Scars that grow beyond the original wound edges and can become
large and disfiguring.
What are contractures? - ANS ✔✔Conditions where the skin pulls too tightly as it heals, causing
stiffness or limiting movement, commonly after burns.
What is excessive granulation tissue? - ANS ✔✔Also known as 'proud flesh,' it is too much
healing tissue that prevents the skin from closing properly.
,What are chronic wounds? - ANS ✔✔Wounds that do not heal for months, often due to ongoing
issues like poor circulation or repeated pressure.
What causes pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Prolonged pressure on the skin, especially over bony
areas, leading to tissue death due to lack of blood supply.
What are the main causes of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Pressure, shear, friction, moisture, and
poor nutrition & hydration.
What is the first stage of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Red skin that does not turn white when
pressed, with intact skin that may feel warm, firm, or painful.
What characterizes stage 2 pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Loss of the top layer of skin, appearing as
an open blister or shallow sore.
What is the clinical manifestation of stage 3 pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔A deeper wound
involving fat tissue, resembling a deep crater.
What is the most severe stage of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Stage 4, which involves a very deep
wound reaching muscle, bone, or tendons, with a high risk of infection.
What is cortisol and its role in stress? - ANS ✔✔Cortisol is the 'stress hormone' that helps the
body cope with long-term stress by raising blood sugar and suppressing the immune system.
What are the effects of prolonged cortisol exposure? - ANS ✔✔Weight gain, memory problems,
poor sleep, and mood changes.
What is epinephrine and its function during stress? - ANS ✔✔Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is
released during sudden stress, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
, What does norepinephrine do during stress? - ANS ✔✔Norepinephrine increases alertness and
blood vessel control, tightening blood vessels and raising blood pressure.
What is acid-base balance? - ANS ✔✔The maintenance of blood pH within a normal range
(7.35-7.45) without compensation from the body.
What are the two main types of acid-base disorders? - ANS ✔✔Respiratory disorders (caused by
lungs) and metabolic disorders (caused by kidneys or metabolism).
What is respiratory acidosis? - ANS ✔✔A condition caused by slow or weak breathing leading to
CO₂ buildup, resulting in low pH and high CO₂ levels.
What is metabolic acidosis? - ANS ✔✔A condition characterized by too much acid or too little
base, with low pH and low bicarbonate levels.
What are the basic causes of hypernatremia? - ANS ✔✔Dehydration, excessive sodium intake,
and water loss from fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What are the clinical manifestations of hypernatremia? - ANS ✔✔Thirst, confusion, dry mouth,
and severe cases can lead to seizures or coma.
What causes hyponatremia? - ANS ✔✔Excessive water intake, heart failure, kidney problems,
and certain medications.
What are the clinical manifestations of hyponatremia? - ANS ✔✔Headache, confusion, nausea,
muscle cramps, and severe cases can lead to seizures.
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is healing by primary intention? - ANS ✔✔Healing that occurs when the edges of a wound
are close together, resulting in quick healing with minimal scarring.
What is healing by secondary intention? - ANS ✔✔Healing that occurs when the edges of a
wound are far apart or tissue is lost, requiring the body to fill the gap with new tissue, resulting
in slower healing and more scarring.
What are the causes of delayed wound healing? - ANS ✔✔Infection, poor blood supply,
diabetes, and poor nutrition.
What is wound dehiscence? - ANS ✔✔The reopening of a wound after being closed, usually due
to weak tissues or excessive tension.
What are hypertrophic scars? - ANS ✔✔Raised, thick, and red scars that remain within the
edges of the original wound.
What are keloids? - ANS ✔✔Scars that grow beyond the original wound edges and can become
large and disfiguring.
What are contractures? - ANS ✔✔Conditions where the skin pulls too tightly as it heals, causing
stiffness or limiting movement, commonly after burns.
What is excessive granulation tissue? - ANS ✔✔Also known as 'proud flesh,' it is too much
healing tissue that prevents the skin from closing properly.
,What are chronic wounds? - ANS ✔✔Wounds that do not heal for months, often due to ongoing
issues like poor circulation or repeated pressure.
What causes pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Prolonged pressure on the skin, especially over bony
areas, leading to tissue death due to lack of blood supply.
What are the main causes of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Pressure, shear, friction, moisture, and
poor nutrition & hydration.
What is the first stage of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Red skin that does not turn white when
pressed, with intact skin that may feel warm, firm, or painful.
What characterizes stage 2 pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Loss of the top layer of skin, appearing as
an open blister or shallow sore.
What is the clinical manifestation of stage 3 pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔A deeper wound
involving fat tissue, resembling a deep crater.
What is the most severe stage of pressure ulcers? - ANS ✔✔Stage 4, which involves a very deep
wound reaching muscle, bone, or tendons, with a high risk of infection.
What is cortisol and its role in stress? - ANS ✔✔Cortisol is the 'stress hormone' that helps the
body cope with long-term stress by raising blood sugar and suppressing the immune system.
What are the effects of prolonged cortisol exposure? - ANS ✔✔Weight gain, memory problems,
poor sleep, and mood changes.
What is epinephrine and its function during stress? - ANS ✔✔Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is
released during sudden stress, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
, What does norepinephrine do during stress? - ANS ✔✔Norepinephrine increases alertness and
blood vessel control, tightening blood vessels and raising blood pressure.
What is acid-base balance? - ANS ✔✔The maintenance of blood pH within a normal range
(7.35-7.45) without compensation from the body.
What are the two main types of acid-base disorders? - ANS ✔✔Respiratory disorders (caused by
lungs) and metabolic disorders (caused by kidneys or metabolism).
What is respiratory acidosis? - ANS ✔✔A condition caused by slow or weak breathing leading to
CO₂ buildup, resulting in low pH and high CO₂ levels.
What is metabolic acidosis? - ANS ✔✔A condition characterized by too much acid or too little
base, with low pH and low bicarbonate levels.
What are the basic causes of hypernatremia? - ANS ✔✔Dehydration, excessive sodium intake,
and water loss from fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What are the clinical manifestations of hypernatremia? - ANS ✔✔Thirst, confusion, dry mouth,
and severe cases can lead to seizures or coma.
What causes hyponatremia? - ANS ✔✔Excessive water intake, heart failure, kidney problems,
and certain medications.
What are the clinical manifestations of hyponatremia? - ANS ✔✔Headache, confusion, nausea,
muscle cramps, and severe cases can lead to seizures.
