1|P a g e
NU 545 UNIT 2 COMPREHENSIVE
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 |QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |RATED A+ | NEW
AND REVISED
1. A patient with heart failure presents with pulmonary edema. Which
mechanism explains fluid accumulation?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased lymphatic drainage
C. Peripheral vasodilation
D. Increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure increases pulmonary capillary
hydrostatic pressure, forcing fluid into alveoli.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction and
depolarization.
3. A patient with metabolic acidosis would likely have which ABG
finding?
A. Low pH and low HCO₃⁻
B. High pH and high CO₂
C. Normal pH and low CO₂
D. High pH and low HCO₃⁻
,2|P a g e
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is defined by decreased
bicarbonate and decreased pH.
4. The most reliable indicator of renal function is:
A. BUN
B. Urine output
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Rationale: GFR best reflects filtration capacity.
5. Insulin lowers blood glucose by:
A. Stimulating glucagon release
B. Inhibiting cellular uptake of glucose
C. Increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis
D. Facilitating cellular glucose uptake
Rationale: Insulin promotes glucose transport into muscle and
fat cells.
6. Which immune cell produces antibodies?
A. T lymphocyte
B. Macrophage
C. Neutrophil
D. B lymphocyte
Rationale: Plasma cells derived from B cells produce antibodies.
7. A fever is primarily regulated by the:
A. Pituitary gland
B. Hypothalamus
C. Thalamus
D. Brainstem
Rationale: The hypothalamus controls thermoregulation.
8. Which drug class reduces afterload in hypertension?
A. Beta blockers
B. Diuretics
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Anticholinergics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II–mediated
vasoconstriction.
, 3|P a g e
9. The primary compensatory mechanism in respiratory acidosis is:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Increased CO₂ retention
C. Renal bicarbonate retention
D. Sodium excretion
Rationale: Kidneys retain bicarbonate to buffer excess acid.
10. Which condition causes increased preload?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Dehydration
C. Fluid overload
D. Vasodilation
Rationale: Increased circulating volume increases preload.
11. A patient with sepsis develops hypotension due to:
A. Increased preload
B. Cardiac hypertrophy
C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Increased SVR
Rationale: Septic shock causes distributive vasodilation.
12. The Frank-Starling law describes:
A. Electrical conduction velocity
B. Hormonal cardiac regulation
C. Relationship between preload and stroke volume
D. Oxygen diffusion capacity
Rationale: Increased ventricular stretch increases contraction
strength.
13. Which lab value indicates diabetes control over 3 months?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. HbA1c
D. Insulin level
Rationale: HbA1c reflects long-term glycemic control.
NU 545 UNIT 2 COMPREHENSIVE
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 |QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |RATED A+ | NEW
AND REVISED
1. A patient with heart failure presents with pulmonary edema. Which
mechanism explains fluid accumulation?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased lymphatic drainage
C. Peripheral vasodilation
D. Increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure increases pulmonary capillary
hydrostatic pressure, forcing fluid into alveoli.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction and
depolarization.
3. A patient with metabolic acidosis would likely have which ABG
finding?
A. Low pH and low HCO₃⁻
B. High pH and high CO₂
C. Normal pH and low CO₂
D. High pH and low HCO₃⁻
,2|P a g e
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is defined by decreased
bicarbonate and decreased pH.
4. The most reliable indicator of renal function is:
A. BUN
B. Urine output
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Rationale: GFR best reflects filtration capacity.
5. Insulin lowers blood glucose by:
A. Stimulating glucagon release
B. Inhibiting cellular uptake of glucose
C. Increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis
D. Facilitating cellular glucose uptake
Rationale: Insulin promotes glucose transport into muscle and
fat cells.
6. Which immune cell produces antibodies?
A. T lymphocyte
B. Macrophage
C. Neutrophil
D. B lymphocyte
Rationale: Plasma cells derived from B cells produce antibodies.
7. A fever is primarily regulated by the:
A. Pituitary gland
B. Hypothalamus
C. Thalamus
D. Brainstem
Rationale: The hypothalamus controls thermoregulation.
8. Which drug class reduces afterload in hypertension?
A. Beta blockers
B. Diuretics
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Anticholinergics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II–mediated
vasoconstriction.
, 3|P a g e
9. The primary compensatory mechanism in respiratory acidosis is:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Increased CO₂ retention
C. Renal bicarbonate retention
D. Sodium excretion
Rationale: Kidneys retain bicarbonate to buffer excess acid.
10. Which condition causes increased preload?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Dehydration
C. Fluid overload
D. Vasodilation
Rationale: Increased circulating volume increases preload.
11. A patient with sepsis develops hypotension due to:
A. Increased preload
B. Cardiac hypertrophy
C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Increased SVR
Rationale: Septic shock causes distributive vasodilation.
12. The Frank-Starling law describes:
A. Electrical conduction velocity
B. Hormonal cardiac regulation
C. Relationship between preload and stroke volume
D. Oxygen diffusion capacity
Rationale: Increased ventricular stretch increases contraction
strength.
13. Which lab value indicates diabetes control over 3 months?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. HbA1c
D. Insulin level
Rationale: HbA1c reflects long-term glycemic control.
