NR 325 Adult Health III Exam 5 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A patient in the early stage of septic shock is most likely to exhibit which of
the following clinical manifestations?
A. Cool, clammy skin and bradycardia
B. Hypothermia and oliguria
C. Decreased respiratory rate and hypertension
D. Warm, flushed skin and tachycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: In the early (hyperdynamic) phase of septic shock, the patient often exhibits
warm, flushed skin due to vasodilation and tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism to
maintain cardiac output.
2. Which clinical finding is considered the hallmark of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia unresponsive to ventilation
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Right-sided heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, where arterial oxygen levels remain low despite
increasing concentrations of supplemental oxygen, is the hallmark of ARDS.
,3. A 70kg patient has 40% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns. Using the
Parkland formula, calculate the total fluid resuscitation needed in the first 24
hours.
A. 5,600 mL
B. 11,200 mL
C. 8,400 mL
D. 14,000 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: The Parkland formula is 4 mL x kg x %TBSA. So, 4 mL x 70 kg x 40 = 11,200 mL.
4. When caring for a patient who just arrived in the ED with severe facial burns
and singed nasal hairs, what is the nurse’s priority?
A. Assessing for inhalation injury and airway patency
B. Administering IV pain medication
C. Calculating fluid requirements
D. Applying sterile dressings to the face
Answer: A
Rationale: Facial burns and singed nasal hairs are high risk factors for inhalation injury.
Airway management is always the first priority in trauma and burn care.
5. An elevation in Central Venous Pressure (CVP) most likely indicates which
condition?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Right-sided heart failure or fluid volume overload
D. Systemic vasodilation
Answer: C
Rationale: CVP measures the pressure in the right atrium. An elevated CVP typically
reflects fluid volume overload or right-sided heart dysfunction.
, 6. During a mass casualty incident, a patient with a sucking chest wound would
be assigned which triage tag color?
A. Green (Minor)
B. Yellow (Delayed)
C. Red (Immediate)
D. Black (Deceased)
Answer: C
Rationale: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable with immediate
intervention, such as a sucking chest wound or airway obstruction.
7. During the compensatory stage of shock, what is the primary reason the
blood pressure may remain within normal limits?
A. Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity
B. Vasodilation of the peripheral vessels
C. Decreased heart rate to conserve energy
D. Release of catecholamines and activation of the RAAS
Answer: D
Rationale: In the compensatory stage, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system
and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to maintain perfusion through
vasoconstriction and fluid retention.
8. Which condition is classified as a prerenal cause of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Acute tubular necrosis
B. Nephrotoxic drugs
C. Bladder outlet obstruction
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce systemic circulation, causing a
decrease in renal blood flow, such as hypovolemia or heart failure.
College
1. A patient in the early stage of septic shock is most likely to exhibit which of
the following clinical manifestations?
A. Cool, clammy skin and bradycardia
B. Hypothermia and oliguria
C. Decreased respiratory rate and hypertension
D. Warm, flushed skin and tachycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: In the early (hyperdynamic) phase of septic shock, the patient often exhibits
warm, flushed skin due to vasodilation and tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism to
maintain cardiac output.
2. Which clinical finding is considered the hallmark of Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Hypercapnia unresponsive to ventilation
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Right-sided heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, where arterial oxygen levels remain low despite
increasing concentrations of supplemental oxygen, is the hallmark of ARDS.
,3. A 70kg patient has 40% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns. Using the
Parkland formula, calculate the total fluid resuscitation needed in the first 24
hours.
A. 5,600 mL
B. 11,200 mL
C. 8,400 mL
D. 14,000 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: The Parkland formula is 4 mL x kg x %TBSA. So, 4 mL x 70 kg x 40 = 11,200 mL.
4. When caring for a patient who just arrived in the ED with severe facial burns
and singed nasal hairs, what is the nurse’s priority?
A. Assessing for inhalation injury and airway patency
B. Administering IV pain medication
C. Calculating fluid requirements
D. Applying sterile dressings to the face
Answer: A
Rationale: Facial burns and singed nasal hairs are high risk factors for inhalation injury.
Airway management is always the first priority in trauma and burn care.
5. An elevation in Central Venous Pressure (CVP) most likely indicates which
condition?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Right-sided heart failure or fluid volume overload
D. Systemic vasodilation
Answer: C
Rationale: CVP measures the pressure in the right atrium. An elevated CVP typically
reflects fluid volume overload or right-sided heart dysfunction.
, 6. During a mass casualty incident, a patient with a sucking chest wound would
be assigned which triage tag color?
A. Green (Minor)
B. Yellow (Delayed)
C. Red (Immediate)
D. Black (Deceased)
Answer: C
Rationale: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable with immediate
intervention, such as a sucking chest wound or airway obstruction.
7. During the compensatory stage of shock, what is the primary reason the
blood pressure may remain within normal limits?
A. Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity
B. Vasodilation of the peripheral vessels
C. Decreased heart rate to conserve energy
D. Release of catecholamines and activation of the RAAS
Answer: D
Rationale: In the compensatory stage, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system
and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to maintain perfusion through
vasoconstriction and fluid retention.
8. Which condition is classified as a prerenal cause of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Acute tubular necrosis
B. Nephrotoxic drugs
C. Bladder outlet obstruction
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce systemic circulation, causing a
decrease in renal blood flow, such as hypovolemia or heart failure.
