COMP 283 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS, UPDATED 2026, A+
GRADING, FULL SOLUTIONS
INCLUDED, SUCCESS ASSURED
Signs of Acute Inflammation
Q: What are the five cardinal signs of acute inflammation? A: Using the
mnemonic PRISH:
P: Pain
R: Redness (Erythema)
I: Immobility (Loss of function)
S: Swelling (Edema)
H: Heat
Note: Granulomas and tissue destruction are NOT acute signs; they are
hallmarks of chronic inflammation.
Chemical Mediators of Swelling
Q: Which chemical mediators contribute specifically to the swelling (edema)
in acute inflammation? A: Histamine, Kinins, Leukotrienes, and
Prostaglandins.
Mechanism: These chemicals increase capillary permeability. This
"loosens" the walls of the blood vessels, allowing plasma proteins and fluid
to leak into the interstitial space.
What about Chemotactic Factors? These act like a "GPS" for white blood
cells, attracting them to the site of injury, but they do not directly cause the
fluid leak (swelling).
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
,Q: What causes chronic inflammation to develop? A: Chronic inflammation
occurs when the "fire" of acute inflammation isn't put out. The three primary
causes are:
1. Unresolved acute inflammation: The initial response failed to clear the
issue.
2. Persistent pathogens: Bacteria or viruses that remain in the tissues.
3. Foreign material: Objects like splinters, surgical sutures, or silica that
remain in the body
RN job duties remember neumonic -ANSWER ✔✔ADPIE
A-assessment
D-diagnosis
P-planning
I-implementation
E-evaluation
NG tube placement -ANSWER ✔✔pH paper.
xray is GOLD STANDARD to confirm proper placement, monitor NG output
(color and amt), monitor nasal skin around tube, monitor tubing for kinks &
"plugs", continue to assess BS's and abdominal girth, pain, **aspirate contents &
irrigate the tube w/ 30 mL of NS q 4 hrs or as ordered by hcp
NG assessment -ANSWER ✔✔1st turn OFF suction
verify placement
can irrigate with sterile saline
SCD's on (high risk for clots and pneumonia)
turn & reposition
,Peptic Ulcer Disease -ANSWER ✔✔A break or ulceration in the protective
mucosal lining of the lower esophagus, stomach, or duodenum
coffee ground emesis (old blood)
NPO, NG tube
triple therapy 2 antibiotics and 1 PPI
could have an active bleed
H. pylori
early stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔enlarged liver
jaundice
GI disturbances
weight loss
increase protein
late stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔liver becomes smaller and nodular
splenomegaly
ascites, distended abdominal veins, increased pressure in portal system
bleeding tendancies, decreased vitamin K and prothrombin, anemia
esophageal varices, internal hemorrhoids
dyspenia (from ascites and anemia)
pruritis from dry skin
clay colored stools; no bile in stool
tea colored urine; bile in urine
, End stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔hepatic encephalopathy/coma
portal hypertension -ANSWER ✔✔A potential complication of chronic alcoholism
resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the liver.
The rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract and liver
causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus (navel). The characteristic
radiating pattern of veins is called a "caput medusae" (head of Medusa). Medusa
was the "snake-haired lady" in Greek mythology.
end-stage cirrhosis
self breast exam -ANSWER ✔✔Monitor for any change in size, contour, dimpling.
Perform exam every month, 7 days after your period. Use finger pads of the three
middle fingers.; lay down arm up, or stand in front of mirror
postmenopausal (or MEN) - pick same day every month
self testicular exam -ANSWER ✔✔Looking for lumps that may be the first sign of
cancer common in men ages 15-35
perform in shower, roll 'ball' between fingers
Addison's disease -ANSWER ✔✔A rare, chronic endocrine disorder in which the
adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones.
s/s fatigue, weakness, hypotension, crave salty food (hyponatremia)
need life long cortisol replacement
Monitor for addisonian crisis
Addisonian crisis -ANSWER ✔✔N/V confusion, abdominal pain, extreme
weakness, hypoglycemia, dehydration, EXTREME decreased BP
triggered by stress or infection
AND ANSWERS, UPDATED 2026, A+
GRADING, FULL SOLUTIONS
INCLUDED, SUCCESS ASSURED
Signs of Acute Inflammation
Q: What are the five cardinal signs of acute inflammation? A: Using the
mnemonic PRISH:
P: Pain
R: Redness (Erythema)
I: Immobility (Loss of function)
S: Swelling (Edema)
H: Heat
Note: Granulomas and tissue destruction are NOT acute signs; they are
hallmarks of chronic inflammation.
Chemical Mediators of Swelling
Q: Which chemical mediators contribute specifically to the swelling (edema)
in acute inflammation? A: Histamine, Kinins, Leukotrienes, and
Prostaglandins.
Mechanism: These chemicals increase capillary permeability. This
"loosens" the walls of the blood vessels, allowing plasma proteins and fluid
to leak into the interstitial space.
What about Chemotactic Factors? These act like a "GPS" for white blood
cells, attracting them to the site of injury, but they do not directly cause the
fluid leak (swelling).
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
,Q: What causes chronic inflammation to develop? A: Chronic inflammation
occurs when the "fire" of acute inflammation isn't put out. The three primary
causes are:
1. Unresolved acute inflammation: The initial response failed to clear the
issue.
2. Persistent pathogens: Bacteria or viruses that remain in the tissues.
3. Foreign material: Objects like splinters, surgical sutures, or silica that
remain in the body
RN job duties remember neumonic -ANSWER ✔✔ADPIE
A-assessment
D-diagnosis
P-planning
I-implementation
E-evaluation
NG tube placement -ANSWER ✔✔pH paper.
xray is GOLD STANDARD to confirm proper placement, monitor NG output
(color and amt), monitor nasal skin around tube, monitor tubing for kinks &
"plugs", continue to assess BS's and abdominal girth, pain, **aspirate contents &
irrigate the tube w/ 30 mL of NS q 4 hrs or as ordered by hcp
NG assessment -ANSWER ✔✔1st turn OFF suction
verify placement
can irrigate with sterile saline
SCD's on (high risk for clots and pneumonia)
turn & reposition
,Peptic Ulcer Disease -ANSWER ✔✔A break or ulceration in the protective
mucosal lining of the lower esophagus, stomach, or duodenum
coffee ground emesis (old blood)
NPO, NG tube
triple therapy 2 antibiotics and 1 PPI
could have an active bleed
H. pylori
early stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔enlarged liver
jaundice
GI disturbances
weight loss
increase protein
late stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔liver becomes smaller and nodular
splenomegaly
ascites, distended abdominal veins, increased pressure in portal system
bleeding tendancies, decreased vitamin K and prothrombin, anemia
esophageal varices, internal hemorrhoids
dyspenia (from ascites and anemia)
pruritis from dry skin
clay colored stools; no bile in stool
tea colored urine; bile in urine
, End stage cirrhosis -ANSWER ✔✔hepatic encephalopathy/coma
portal hypertension -ANSWER ✔✔A potential complication of chronic alcoholism
resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the liver.
The rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract and liver
causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus (navel). The characteristic
radiating pattern of veins is called a "caput medusae" (head of Medusa). Medusa
was the "snake-haired lady" in Greek mythology.
end-stage cirrhosis
self breast exam -ANSWER ✔✔Monitor for any change in size, contour, dimpling.
Perform exam every month, 7 days after your period. Use finger pads of the three
middle fingers.; lay down arm up, or stand in front of mirror
postmenopausal (or MEN) - pick same day every month
self testicular exam -ANSWER ✔✔Looking for lumps that may be the first sign of
cancer common in men ages 15-35
perform in shower, roll 'ball' between fingers
Addison's disease -ANSWER ✔✔A rare, chronic endocrine disorder in which the
adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones.
s/s fatigue, weakness, hypotension, crave salty food (hyponatremia)
need life long cortisol replacement
Monitor for addisonian crisis
Addisonian crisis -ANSWER ✔✔N/V confusion, abdominal pain, extreme
weakness, hypoglycemia, dehydration, EXTREME decreased BP
triggered by stress or infection
