NU 631 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?.
Answer: A severe form of premenstrual mood disturbance causing
functional impairment.
◍ What is dissociation?.
Answer: A disruption in memory, identity, or perception often associated
with trauma.
◍ Intra-operative (during surgery) Complications.
Answer: -Bleeding -Hypothermia -Medication reactions
◍ Tuberculosis (TB)Nursing Care:.
Answer: - patient in isolated room with negative pressure -Airborne
precautions -Mask (N95) -Long-term antibiotics
◍ COPDSymptoms:.
Answer: airflow limitation that is not fullyreversibleRespiratory acidosis is a
common complication of COPD. This complication occurs because clients
who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss of elastic
recoil in the lungs.Perioperative CareChronic airflow
obstructionTypes:Chronic bronchitis → blue bloater Emphysema → pink
puffersmoking is a risk factor and age -Chronic cough with sputum-SOB
-Wheezing -Barrel chest (holding in breath because hard to exhale) -weight
loss -hypoxemia
◍ What hormone is released during stress?.
Answer: Cortisol.
,◍ Surgical Risk Factors & Nursing Actions.
Answer: Risk Factors and Nurse Actions Smoking- Encourage stop, assess
lungsObesity- Positioning, wound careDiabetes- Glucose controlCOPD-
Breathing exercises ( lip pursed breathing) Age (older adults)- Fall &
delirium preventionBlood thinners- Monitor bleeding
◍ Tuberculosis (TB)Symptoms:.
Answer: Caused by: Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillusBlood clot in
lungsLow-grade fever, cough, night sweats,fatigue, and weight loss. Cough
may be nonproductive, ormucopurulent sputum may be expectorated.
Hemoptysis also may occur Spreads by airborne transmission: Through
talking, coughing, sneezing, laughing,or singing
◍ Why is neuroplasticity important in psychotherapy?.
Answer: Therapy can create new neural pathways that support healthier
coping and emotional regulation.
◍ What are key suicide risk factors?.
Answer: Depression, prior attempts, substance use, hopelessness, and access
to lethal means.
◍ What are major components of a psychiatric history?.
Answer: Chief complaint, history of present illness, past psychiatric history,
medical history, substance use history, family history, social history, and
mental status exam.
◍ What neurotransmitters are most associated with depression?.
Answer: Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
◍ What is the therapeutic alliance?.
Answer: The collaborative relationship between patient and clinician that
supports treatment.
◍ AtelectasisSymptoms:.
Answer: Collapsed alveoli caused byhypoventilation, obstruction to airways,
orcompressionSymptoms: insidious, include cough, sputumproduction,
low-grade fever Respiratory distress, anxiety, hypoxia occursif large areas
, of the lung are affectedSymptoms:-Low oxygen -Crackles -Shallow
breathing
◍ Potassium (K⁺).
Answer: Normal: 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L Low potassium (Hypokalemia) →
Weak muscles, cramps → Dangerous heart rhythms, flat T waves High
potassium (Hyperkalemia) → Weakness → Peaked T waves, cardiac arrest
risk Think: Potassium = heart + muscles
◍ What is major depressive disorder (MDD)?.
Answer: A mood disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood or
loss of interest with functional impairment.
◍ How does trauma affect the nervous system?.
Answer: It may cause chronic hyperarousal and dysregulation of stress
responses.
◍ What is trauma-informed care?.
Answer: An approach recognizing the impact of trauma and promoting
safety, empowerment, and healing.
◍ Surgical Classifications by their Urgency • Emergent• Urgent• Required•
Elective• Optional.
Answer: • Emergent-Needs to be done immediately to save life or body
function.No delay. Minutes matter.Examples:Severe bleeding after
traumaRuptured aneurysmAirway obstructionPerforated bowel Think: "If
we wait, the patient could die."• Urgent- Needs to be done soon (within
24-48 hours), but not this exact second.There is time to prepare, but it
cannot wait long.Examples:AppendicitisGallbladder infectionFracture
needing repair Think: "Not dying right now, but could get worse
quickly."• Required-The patient needs the procedure for health reasons, but
it is not an emergency.It can be scheduled within weeks or
months.Examples:Cataract removalHernia repairRemoval of kidney
stones Think: "They need it, but it's not life-threatening today."• Elective-
The patient chooses to have it.It is planned ahead of time.It may improve
quality of life, but it is not medically urgent.Examples:Knee
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?.
Answer: A severe form of premenstrual mood disturbance causing
functional impairment.
◍ What is dissociation?.
Answer: A disruption in memory, identity, or perception often associated
with trauma.
◍ Intra-operative (during surgery) Complications.
Answer: -Bleeding -Hypothermia -Medication reactions
◍ Tuberculosis (TB)Nursing Care:.
Answer: - patient in isolated room with negative pressure -Airborne
precautions -Mask (N95) -Long-term antibiotics
◍ COPDSymptoms:.
Answer: airflow limitation that is not fullyreversibleRespiratory acidosis is a
common complication of COPD. This complication occurs because clients
who have COPD are unable to exhale carbon dioxide due to a loss of elastic
recoil in the lungs.Perioperative CareChronic airflow
obstructionTypes:Chronic bronchitis → blue bloater Emphysema → pink
puffersmoking is a risk factor and age -Chronic cough with sputum-SOB
-Wheezing -Barrel chest (holding in breath because hard to exhale) -weight
loss -hypoxemia
◍ What hormone is released during stress?.
Answer: Cortisol.
,◍ Surgical Risk Factors & Nursing Actions.
Answer: Risk Factors and Nurse Actions Smoking- Encourage stop, assess
lungsObesity- Positioning, wound careDiabetes- Glucose controlCOPD-
Breathing exercises ( lip pursed breathing) Age (older adults)- Fall &
delirium preventionBlood thinners- Monitor bleeding
◍ Tuberculosis (TB)Symptoms:.
Answer: Caused by: Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillusBlood clot in
lungsLow-grade fever, cough, night sweats,fatigue, and weight loss. Cough
may be nonproductive, ormucopurulent sputum may be expectorated.
Hemoptysis also may occur Spreads by airborne transmission: Through
talking, coughing, sneezing, laughing,or singing
◍ Why is neuroplasticity important in psychotherapy?.
Answer: Therapy can create new neural pathways that support healthier
coping and emotional regulation.
◍ What are key suicide risk factors?.
Answer: Depression, prior attempts, substance use, hopelessness, and access
to lethal means.
◍ What are major components of a psychiatric history?.
Answer: Chief complaint, history of present illness, past psychiatric history,
medical history, substance use history, family history, social history, and
mental status exam.
◍ What neurotransmitters are most associated with depression?.
Answer: Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
◍ What is the therapeutic alliance?.
Answer: The collaborative relationship between patient and clinician that
supports treatment.
◍ AtelectasisSymptoms:.
Answer: Collapsed alveoli caused byhypoventilation, obstruction to airways,
orcompressionSymptoms: insidious, include cough, sputumproduction,
low-grade fever Respiratory distress, anxiety, hypoxia occursif large areas
, of the lung are affectedSymptoms:-Low oxygen -Crackles -Shallow
breathing
◍ Potassium (K⁺).
Answer: Normal: 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L Low potassium (Hypokalemia) →
Weak muscles, cramps → Dangerous heart rhythms, flat T waves High
potassium (Hyperkalemia) → Weakness → Peaked T waves, cardiac arrest
risk Think: Potassium = heart + muscles
◍ What is major depressive disorder (MDD)?.
Answer: A mood disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood or
loss of interest with functional impairment.
◍ How does trauma affect the nervous system?.
Answer: It may cause chronic hyperarousal and dysregulation of stress
responses.
◍ What is trauma-informed care?.
Answer: An approach recognizing the impact of trauma and promoting
safety, empowerment, and healing.
◍ Surgical Classifications by their Urgency • Emergent• Urgent• Required•
Elective• Optional.
Answer: • Emergent-Needs to be done immediately to save life or body
function.No delay. Minutes matter.Examples:Severe bleeding after
traumaRuptured aneurysmAirway obstructionPerforated bowel Think: "If
we wait, the patient could die."• Urgent- Needs to be done soon (within
24-48 hours), but not this exact second.There is time to prepare, but it
cannot wait long.Examples:AppendicitisGallbladder infectionFracture
needing repair Think: "Not dying right now, but could get worse
quickly."• Required-The patient needs the procedure for health reasons, but
it is not an emergency.It can be scheduled within weeks or
months.Examples:Cataract removalHernia repairRemoval of kidney
stones Think: "They need it, but it's not life-threatening today."• Elective-
The patient chooses to have it.It is planned ahead of time.It may improve
quality of life, but it is not medically urgent.Examples:Knee
