1
NSG 3850 EXAM 2 2026/2027 |
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES II | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY DISORDERS – Questions 1-15
Q1: Left Tension Pneumothorax
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected left tension pneumothorax. Which finding is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Coarse crackles throughout the left chest
B. Tracheal deviation to the left
C. Absent breath sounds on the left
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a tension pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural space, causing lung collapse
and mediastinal shift. Breath sounds are absent on the affected side due to lung compression.
Tracheal deviation occurs AWAY from the affected side, not toward it, and crackles are not
characteristic of this condition .
Q2: Bacterial Pneumonia Presentation
A patient with a productive cough and parenchymal infiltrates on chest x-ray is demonstrating
symptomatology of which condition?
A. Bacterial pneumonia
B. Viral pneumonia
C. Tuberculosis
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bacterial pneumonia typically presents with a productive cough and parenchymal
infiltrates visible on imaging. Viral pneumonia often presents with a non-productive cough,
tuberculosis has a more insidious onset with systemic symptoms, and ARDS is characterized by
diffuse infiltrates and severe hypoxemia .
Q3: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
, 2
Which disease is caused by the inhalation of organic substances such as moldy hay or bird
droppings?
A. Diffuse interstitial lung disease
B. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
C. Sarcoidosis
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an inflammatory lung disease caused by inhalation of
organic antigens such as moldy hay, bird droppings, or fungal spores. Diffuse interstitial lung disease,
sarcoidosis, and ARDS have different etiologies and pathogenesis .
Q4: Empyema Definition
Empyema is defined as which of the following?
A. Exudative bronchitis
B. Infection in the pleural space
C. Infection localized in the lung
D. Infection in the blood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Empyema refers to a collection of pus in the pleural space, often as a complication of
pneumonia or lung abscess. This is distinct from bronchitis (airway infection), lung infection
(pneumonia), or bacteremia (bloodstream infection) .
Q5: Flail Chest Characteristic
A patient with flail chest will demonstrate which characteristic finding?
A. Absence of chest movement with breaths
B. No inspiratory breath sounds
C. Outward chest movement on expiration
D. Fluttering chest movements on expiration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures, causing a segment of the chest wall to move
paradoxically. During inspiration, the flail segment moves inward; during expiration, it moves
outward. This paradoxical movement is a key clinical feature .
Q6: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Association
Obstructive sleep apnea would most likely be found in a patient diagnosed with which condition?
A. Myasthenia gravis
B. Poliomyelitis
NSG 3850 EXAM 2 2026/2027 |
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES II | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY DISORDERS – Questions 1-15
Q1: Left Tension Pneumothorax
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected left tension pneumothorax. Which finding is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Coarse crackles throughout the left chest
B. Tracheal deviation to the left
C. Absent breath sounds on the left
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a tension pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural space, causing lung collapse
and mediastinal shift. Breath sounds are absent on the affected side due to lung compression.
Tracheal deviation occurs AWAY from the affected side, not toward it, and crackles are not
characteristic of this condition .
Q2: Bacterial Pneumonia Presentation
A patient with a productive cough and parenchymal infiltrates on chest x-ray is demonstrating
symptomatology of which condition?
A. Bacterial pneumonia
B. Viral pneumonia
C. Tuberculosis
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bacterial pneumonia typically presents with a productive cough and parenchymal
infiltrates visible on imaging. Viral pneumonia often presents with a non-productive cough,
tuberculosis has a more insidious onset with systemic symptoms, and ARDS is characterized by
diffuse infiltrates and severe hypoxemia .
Q3: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
, 2
Which disease is caused by the inhalation of organic substances such as moldy hay or bird
droppings?
A. Diffuse interstitial lung disease
B. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
C. Sarcoidosis
D. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an inflammatory lung disease caused by inhalation of
organic antigens such as moldy hay, bird droppings, or fungal spores. Diffuse interstitial lung disease,
sarcoidosis, and ARDS have different etiologies and pathogenesis .
Q4: Empyema Definition
Empyema is defined as which of the following?
A. Exudative bronchitis
B. Infection in the pleural space
C. Infection localized in the lung
D. Infection in the blood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Empyema refers to a collection of pus in the pleural space, often as a complication of
pneumonia or lung abscess. This is distinct from bronchitis (airway infection), lung infection
(pneumonia), or bacteremia (bloodstream infection) .
Q5: Flail Chest Characteristic
A patient with flail chest will demonstrate which characteristic finding?
A. Absence of chest movement with breaths
B. No inspiratory breath sounds
C. Outward chest movement on expiration
D. Fluttering chest movements on expiration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures, causing a segment of the chest wall to move
paradoxically. During inspiration, the flail segment moves inward; during expiration, it moves
outward. This paradoxical movement is a key clinical feature .
Q6: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Association
Obstructive sleep apnea would most likely be found in a patient diagnosed with which condition?
A. Myasthenia gravis
B. Poliomyelitis
