1
NSG 3850 EXAM 2 (ACTUAL EXAM 2026) — ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONLAES | VERIFIED ANSWERS | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING 100 Practice Questions with Detailed Answers
and Rationales
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY DISORDERS — ACUTE AND CHRONIC
BRONCHITIS (Questions 1-10)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute bronchitis. Which finding is the
hallmark sign of this condition?
A) Productive cough with hemoptysis
B) Recent onset of cough
C) Wheezing and chest tightness
D) Fever and chills
Answer: B
Rationale: The hallmark sign of acute bronchitis is the recent onset of cough.
The pathophysiology involves tissue damage and capillary dilation leading to
an inflammatory process, damage to the cilia, inhibited lymphocytes and
macrophages, swelling, coughing, bronchospasm, and mucus buildup.
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2. A patient with chronic bronchitis asks the nurse what caused their
condition. The nurse should respond that the most common cause is:
A) Repeated airway infections
B) Cigarette smoking
C) Environmental pollutants
D) Genetic predisposition
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is most often caused by cigarette smoking.
Other factors that can increase risk include repeated airway infections.
Chronic bronchitis is also known as Type B COPD.
3. Another name for chronic bronchitis is:
A) Type A COPD
B) Type B COPD
C) Emphysema
D) Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is also known as Type B COPD. Most patients
with chronic bronchitis also have emphysema. The condition is most
common in females.
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4. A patient with chronic bronchitis reports that their cough is worst at which
time of day?
A) In the evening
B) In the morning
C) After meals
D) During exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with chronic bronchitis typically experience their worst
cough in the morning. This is due to the accumulation of secretions
overnight.
5. Which diagnostic test for chronic bronchitis will show increased CO2 and
decreased O2?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
C) Arterial blood gas (ABG)
D) Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Answer: C
Rationale: ABG in chronic bronchitis shows increased CO2 and decreased
O2. Chest X-ray may show changes, PFT shows worsening over time, and
EKG may show right ventricular enlargement and secondary polycythemia.
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6. A patient with chronic bronchitis develops distended neck veins and
peripheral edema. The nurse recognizes this as:**
A) Left-sided heart failure
B) Cor Pulmonale (right-sided heart failure)
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Rationale:End-stage chronic bronchitis can lead to Cor Pulmonale (right-
sided heart failure), which presents with distended neck veins and
peripheral edema. This occurs due to increased pressure in the pulmonary
circulation.
7. Which population is chronic bronchitis most common in?
A) Males
B) Females
C) Children
D) Elderly males
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is most common in females. Emergency signs
include cyanosis and accessory muscle use. End-stage chronic bronchitis
leads to Cor Pulmonale.
NSG 3850 EXAM 2 (ACTUAL EXAM 2026) — ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONLAES | VERIFIED ANSWERS | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING 100 Practice Questions with Detailed Answers
and Rationales
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY DISORDERS — ACUTE AND CHRONIC
BRONCHITIS (Questions 1-10)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute bronchitis. Which finding is the
hallmark sign of this condition?
A) Productive cough with hemoptysis
B) Recent onset of cough
C) Wheezing and chest tightness
D) Fever and chills
Answer: B
Rationale: The hallmark sign of acute bronchitis is the recent onset of cough.
The pathophysiology involves tissue damage and capillary dilation leading to
an inflammatory process, damage to the cilia, inhibited lymphocytes and
macrophages, swelling, coughing, bronchospasm, and mucus buildup.
, 2
2. A patient with chronic bronchitis asks the nurse what caused their
condition. The nurse should respond that the most common cause is:
A) Repeated airway infections
B) Cigarette smoking
C) Environmental pollutants
D) Genetic predisposition
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is most often caused by cigarette smoking.
Other factors that can increase risk include repeated airway infections.
Chronic bronchitis is also known as Type B COPD.
3. Another name for chronic bronchitis is:
A) Type A COPD
B) Type B COPD
C) Emphysema
D) Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is also known as Type B COPD. Most patients
with chronic bronchitis also have emphysema. The condition is most
common in females.
, 3
4. A patient with chronic bronchitis reports that their cough is worst at which
time of day?
A) In the evening
B) In the morning
C) After meals
D) During exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with chronic bronchitis typically experience their worst
cough in the morning. This is due to the accumulation of secretions
overnight.
5. Which diagnostic test for chronic bronchitis will show increased CO2 and
decreased O2?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
C) Arterial blood gas (ABG)
D) Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Answer: C
Rationale: ABG in chronic bronchitis shows increased CO2 and decreased
O2. Chest X-ray may show changes, PFT shows worsening over time, and
EKG may show right ventricular enlargement and secondary polycythemia.
, 4
6. A patient with chronic bronchitis develops distended neck veins and
peripheral edema. The nurse recognizes this as:**
A) Left-sided heart failure
B) Cor Pulmonale (right-sided heart failure)
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Rationale:End-stage chronic bronchitis can lead to Cor Pulmonale (right-
sided heart failure), which presents with distended neck veins and
peripheral edema. This occurs due to increased pressure in the pulmonary
circulation.
7. Which population is chronic bronchitis most common in?
A) Males
B) Females
C) Children
D) Elderly males
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is most common in females. Emergency signs
include cyanosis and accessory muscle use. End-stage chronic bronchitis
leads to Cor Pulmonale.
