NSG 3850 Pathophysiology for Nurses II Exam 2 |
Complete Practice Test with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales | Latest Update – 2026/2027 |
Galen College of Nursing | Already Graded A+
Exam Overview: This practice test covers the NSG 3850 Patho II Exam 2 for
nursing students at Galen College of Nursing. The content spans cardiovascular
and pulmonary pathophysiology. Answers and detailed rationales are provided for
each question.
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client who has chronic venous insufficiency of the legs.
Which of the following pain characteristics would the nurse expect the client to
report?
A. Pain relief with ambulation
B. Burning and tingling of the extremities
C. Sharp, stabbing pain in the feet
D. Relief of pain when the area is massaged
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency causes aching, heaviness, and pain that is
relieved by elevation and ambulation (which promotes venous return). Arterial
insufficiency causes pain worsened by ambulation (claudication) and relieved by
dependency. Burning/tingling suggests neuropathy. Sharp stabbing pain suggests
arterial disease.
Question 2
The nurse working in the emergency department is caring for a client who is
exhibiting Beck's triad symptoms and is suspected of having a cardiac tamponade.
The nurse understands the classic manifestations of this condition include which of
the following?
A. Hypertension, angina, and widened pulse pressure
B. Hypertension, flattened neck veins, and low heart rate
C. Hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds
pg. 1
,D. Hypotension, leukocytosis, and general malaise
Answer: C
Rationale: Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade includes hypotension, distended
neck veins (JVD), and muffled heart sounds. This occurs due to fluid accumulation
in the pericardial sac compressing the heart and impairing filling.
Question 3
A community health nurse is presenting an educational event to address several
health problems, including rheumatic disease. Which of the following should the
nurse describe as the most effective way to prevent rheumatic heart disease?
A. Smoking cessation
B. Adhering closely to the recommended child immunizations schedule
C. Recognizing and promptly treating streptococcal infections
D. Prophylactic use of calcium channel blockers in high-risk population
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of untreated group A beta-
hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. Prompt recognition and treatment of strep
infections prevent rheumatic fever and subsequent valve damage.
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of myocardial infarction who
continues to report predictable intermittent chest pain that is brought on by
exertion and relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin.
A. Unstable angina
B. Coronary vasospasm
C. Classic or typical angina
D. Prinzmetal variant angina
Answer: C
Rationale: Classic (typical) angina is predictable, brought on by exertion, and
relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is unpredictable and occurs at
rest. Prinzmetal (variant) angina occurs at rest due to coronary vasospasm.
Question 5
The nurse is teaching a client who has a history of endocarditis. Which of the
following topics is a priority for the nurse to include about the condition?
pg. 2
, A. Avoid physical activity
B. Increased fluid intake
C. Intravenous drug use is a risk factor
D. Dietary guidelines
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous drug use is a major risk factor for infective endocarditis
due to direct inoculation of bacteria into the bloodstream. Education should include
this risk factor and the importance of seeking treatment for infections.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for the following assigned clients. The nurse recognizes which
client as being at greatest risk for the development of atherosclerosis?
A. The client who stocks shelves at the local grocery, smokes a pack of cigarettes a
week, and has a decreased low-density lipoprotein level
B. The client who attends therapy 3 times a week, is taking medication for
hypertension, and whose father had a stroke 2 years ago
C. The client who works full time in an office, has an elevated cholesterol level,
and has a body mass index that indicates they are overweight
D. The client who is a physical education teacher, is prediabetic, and whose
grandmother died from a myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: This client has multiple modifiable risk factors: elevated cholesterol,
overweight/obesity, and sedentary lifestyle (office work). These significantly
increase atherosclerosis risk. Option A has decreased LDL (protective) and only
smokes a pack/week. Option B has controlled hypertension and family history.
Option D has prediabetes and family history but is physically active.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a client who has Buerger's disease. Which of the following
should the nurse expect the client to report?
A. Decreased pulses
B. Clubbing of the fingers
C. Loss of sensation in the feet
D. Thin, brittle nails
Answer: A
pg. 3
Complete Practice Test with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales | Latest Update – 2026/2027 |
Galen College of Nursing | Already Graded A+
Exam Overview: This practice test covers the NSG 3850 Patho II Exam 2 for
nursing students at Galen College of Nursing. The content spans cardiovascular
and pulmonary pathophysiology. Answers and detailed rationales are provided for
each question.
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client who has chronic venous insufficiency of the legs.
Which of the following pain characteristics would the nurse expect the client to
report?
A. Pain relief with ambulation
B. Burning and tingling of the extremities
C. Sharp, stabbing pain in the feet
D. Relief of pain when the area is massaged
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency causes aching, heaviness, and pain that is
relieved by elevation and ambulation (which promotes venous return). Arterial
insufficiency causes pain worsened by ambulation (claudication) and relieved by
dependency. Burning/tingling suggests neuropathy. Sharp stabbing pain suggests
arterial disease.
Question 2
The nurse working in the emergency department is caring for a client who is
exhibiting Beck's triad symptoms and is suspected of having a cardiac tamponade.
The nurse understands the classic manifestations of this condition include which of
the following?
A. Hypertension, angina, and widened pulse pressure
B. Hypertension, flattened neck veins, and low heart rate
C. Hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds
pg. 1
,D. Hypotension, leukocytosis, and general malaise
Answer: C
Rationale: Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade includes hypotension, distended
neck veins (JVD), and muffled heart sounds. This occurs due to fluid accumulation
in the pericardial sac compressing the heart and impairing filling.
Question 3
A community health nurse is presenting an educational event to address several
health problems, including rheumatic disease. Which of the following should the
nurse describe as the most effective way to prevent rheumatic heart disease?
A. Smoking cessation
B. Adhering closely to the recommended child immunizations schedule
C. Recognizing and promptly treating streptococcal infections
D. Prophylactic use of calcium channel blockers in high-risk population
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of untreated group A beta-
hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. Prompt recognition and treatment of strep
infections prevent rheumatic fever and subsequent valve damage.
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of myocardial infarction who
continues to report predictable intermittent chest pain that is brought on by
exertion and relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerin.
A. Unstable angina
B. Coronary vasospasm
C. Classic or typical angina
D. Prinzmetal variant angina
Answer: C
Rationale: Classic (typical) angina is predictable, brought on by exertion, and
relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is unpredictable and occurs at
rest. Prinzmetal (variant) angina occurs at rest due to coronary vasospasm.
Question 5
The nurse is teaching a client who has a history of endocarditis. Which of the
following topics is a priority for the nurse to include about the condition?
pg. 2
, A. Avoid physical activity
B. Increased fluid intake
C. Intravenous drug use is a risk factor
D. Dietary guidelines
Answer: C
Rationale: Intravenous drug use is a major risk factor for infective endocarditis
due to direct inoculation of bacteria into the bloodstream. Education should include
this risk factor and the importance of seeking treatment for infections.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for the following assigned clients. The nurse recognizes which
client as being at greatest risk for the development of atherosclerosis?
A. The client who stocks shelves at the local grocery, smokes a pack of cigarettes a
week, and has a decreased low-density lipoprotein level
B. The client who attends therapy 3 times a week, is taking medication for
hypertension, and whose father had a stroke 2 years ago
C. The client who works full time in an office, has an elevated cholesterol level,
and has a body mass index that indicates they are overweight
D. The client who is a physical education teacher, is prediabetic, and whose
grandmother died from a myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: This client has multiple modifiable risk factors: elevated cholesterol,
overweight/obesity, and sedentary lifestyle (office work). These significantly
increase atherosclerosis risk. Option A has decreased LDL (protective) and only
smokes a pack/week. Option B has controlled hypertension and family history.
Option D has prediabetes and family history but is physically active.
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a client who has Buerger's disease. Which of the following
should the nurse expect the client to report?
A. Decreased pulses
B. Clubbing of the fingers
C. Loss of sensation in the feet
D. Thin, brittle nails
Answer: A
pg. 3
