Page 1 of 276
PORTAGE LEARNING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NURS 231
BIOD 331 FINAL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
The nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who suddenly
reports sharp chest pain and dyspnea. She is tachycardic. What
is the nurse's priority action?
a) Stat page the respiratory therapist and call for the intubation
kit.
b) Auscultate the lung sounds for changes.
c) Check the patient's blood pressure.
d) Increase the oxygen flow rate and elevate the head of the bed.
- ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > d) Increase the oxygen flow rate and elevate
the head of the bed.
,Page 2 of 276
When caring for a group of clients at risk for or diagnosed with
pulmonary embolism, the nurse calls the Rapid Response Team
(RRT) for intervention for which client?
a) Client with deep vein thrombosis who is receiving
lowmolecular-weight heparin and has ongoing calf pain
b) Client treated for pulmonary embolism with IV heparin who
has hemoptysis and tachycardia
c) Client who was extubated 3 days ago and has decreased
breath sounds at the posterior bases of both lungs
d) Client with a right pneumothorax who is being treated with
a chest tube and has a pulse oximetry reading of 94% - ✔✔✔ Correct
Answer > b) Client treated for pulmonary embolism with IV heparin
who has hemoptysis and tachycardia
*need to quickly assess the pt with a diagnosed PE who is
showing signs of possible pulmonary infarction or bleeding
abnormality secondary to heparin. Tachycardia, along with
bloody sputum (hemoptysis), may be a symptom of hypoxemia or
hemorrhagic shock, which requires immediate intervention.
*The following pts require ongoing monitoring, but the Pt w DVT
is receiving appropriate treatment and calf pain is expected in
this situation. Pt w right pneumothorax demonstrates adequate
pulse ox of 94%. Pt extubated 3 days ago does not have evidence
of acute deterioration or severe complications
,Page 3 of 276
Which assessment finding best indicates that fluid resuscitation
therapy for the patient with hypertonic dehydration has acheived
the desired effect?
a) Peripheral pulses changed from 1+ to 3+
b) Neck veins slightly distended @ 30 degrees
c) Serum sodium level has changed from 151 to 143.
d) Pulse oximetry shows oxygen saturation of 95% - ✔✔✔ Correct
Answer > c) Serum sodium level has changed from 151 to 143.
When receiving report on a group of clients on the step down
unit, which client needs immediate attention by the nurse?
a) A client receiving mechanical ventilation who has tracheal
deviation
b) A client who is receiving continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) and has intermittent wheezing
c) A client who was recently extubated and is reporting a sore
throat
d) A client who is receiving O2 by facemask and whose
respiratory rate is 24 breaths/min - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > a) A
, Page 4 of 276
client receiving mechanical ventilation who has tracheal
deviation
*Pt is showing signs of a tension pneumothorax that could lead
to hypoxemia, decreased CO, and shock.
*The pt recently extubated has sore throat which is anticipated
after intubation. The pt receiving CPAP has intermittent wheezing
and the pt wearing oxygen has mild tachypnea so they are not in
immediate distress or danger.
A pt has been admitted with a diagnosis of PE and is receiving
heparin infusion. What safety priority does the nurse include in
the plan of care?
a) Notify radiology of an impending scan.
b) Ensure adequate staffing for the unit.
c) Monitor the platelet count daily.
d) Teach the client to avoid using dental floss. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer >
c) Monitor the platelet count daily.
*Daily platelet counts are a safety priority in assessing for
heparin induced thrombocytopenia, a potential side effect of
heparin. Avoiding the use of dental floss is important during
anticoagulation therapy, but it is not the priority.
PORTAGE LEARNING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NURS 231
BIOD 331 FINAL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
The nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who suddenly
reports sharp chest pain and dyspnea. She is tachycardic. What
is the nurse's priority action?
a) Stat page the respiratory therapist and call for the intubation
kit.
b) Auscultate the lung sounds for changes.
c) Check the patient's blood pressure.
d) Increase the oxygen flow rate and elevate the head of the bed.
- ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > d) Increase the oxygen flow rate and elevate
the head of the bed.
,Page 2 of 276
When caring for a group of clients at risk for or diagnosed with
pulmonary embolism, the nurse calls the Rapid Response Team
(RRT) for intervention for which client?
a) Client with deep vein thrombosis who is receiving
lowmolecular-weight heparin and has ongoing calf pain
b) Client treated for pulmonary embolism with IV heparin who
has hemoptysis and tachycardia
c) Client who was extubated 3 days ago and has decreased
breath sounds at the posterior bases of both lungs
d) Client with a right pneumothorax who is being treated with
a chest tube and has a pulse oximetry reading of 94% - ✔✔✔ Correct
Answer > b) Client treated for pulmonary embolism with IV heparin
who has hemoptysis and tachycardia
*need to quickly assess the pt with a diagnosed PE who is
showing signs of possible pulmonary infarction or bleeding
abnormality secondary to heparin. Tachycardia, along with
bloody sputum (hemoptysis), may be a symptom of hypoxemia or
hemorrhagic shock, which requires immediate intervention.
*The following pts require ongoing monitoring, but the Pt w DVT
is receiving appropriate treatment and calf pain is expected in
this situation. Pt w right pneumothorax demonstrates adequate
pulse ox of 94%. Pt extubated 3 days ago does not have evidence
of acute deterioration or severe complications
,Page 3 of 276
Which assessment finding best indicates that fluid resuscitation
therapy for the patient with hypertonic dehydration has acheived
the desired effect?
a) Peripheral pulses changed from 1+ to 3+
b) Neck veins slightly distended @ 30 degrees
c) Serum sodium level has changed from 151 to 143.
d) Pulse oximetry shows oxygen saturation of 95% - ✔✔✔ Correct
Answer > c) Serum sodium level has changed from 151 to 143.
When receiving report on a group of clients on the step down
unit, which client needs immediate attention by the nurse?
a) A client receiving mechanical ventilation who has tracheal
deviation
b) A client who is receiving continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) and has intermittent wheezing
c) A client who was recently extubated and is reporting a sore
throat
d) A client who is receiving O2 by facemask and whose
respiratory rate is 24 breaths/min - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > a) A
, Page 4 of 276
client receiving mechanical ventilation who has tracheal
deviation
*Pt is showing signs of a tension pneumothorax that could lead
to hypoxemia, decreased CO, and shock.
*The pt recently extubated has sore throat which is anticipated
after intubation. The pt receiving CPAP has intermittent wheezing
and the pt wearing oxygen has mild tachypnea so they are not in
immediate distress or danger.
A pt has been admitted with a diagnosis of PE and is receiving
heparin infusion. What safety priority does the nurse include in
the plan of care?
a) Notify radiology of an impending scan.
b) Ensure adequate staffing for the unit.
c) Monitor the platelet count daily.
d) Teach the client to avoid using dental floss. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer >
c) Monitor the platelet count daily.
*Daily platelet counts are a safety priority in assessing for
heparin induced thrombocytopenia, a potential side effect of
heparin. Avoiding the use of dental floss is important during
anticoagulation therapy, but it is not the priority.
