NUR2790 Exam 3 V1 | NUR 2790 Professional
Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
critical care nursing concepts, emergency patient management, and advanced clinical
interventions. The material emphasizes rapid clinical decision-making, patient stabilization, and
evidence-based nursing care.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve nursing
judgment and emergency care planning skills.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Emergency nursing assessment
• Shock and trauma management
• Cardiac emergency interventions
• Respiratory failure nursing care
• Sepsis recognition and management
• Critical care monitoring concepts
• Rapid response interventions
• Patient stabilization strategies
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1. A patient arrives in the Emergency Department (ED) with a suspected myocardial
infarction. According to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), which level should the nurse
assign to this patient?
A. ESI Level 1
B. ESI Level 2
,C. ESI Level 3
D. ESI Level 4
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: ESI Level 2 is assigned to patients who are in a high-risk situation or
are experiencing a condition that could easily deteriorate. A suspected myocardial
infarction requires rapid intervention to prevent further cardiac damage. Level 1 is
reserved for patients requiring immediate life-saving interventions such as intubation or
those in active cardiac arrest.
2. During the primary survey of a trauma patient, the nurse assesses the airway. What is the
priority nursing action if the airway is not patent?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen via mask
B. Insert a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach
C. Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver while maintaining C-spine stabilization
D. Obtain a portable chest X-ray
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Maintaining a patent airway while protecting the cervical spine is the
first priority in trauma care. The jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred method to open the
airway without compromising the spinal cord in a suspected trauma victim. If these
measures fail, advanced airway management such as intubation must be initiated
immediately.
,3. A patient in the intensive care unit is showing signs of septic shock. Which of the following
assessment findings is most indicative of the ‘warm’ or hyperdynamic phase of sepsis?
A. Cold, clammy skin and bradycardia
B. Decreased urine output and hypotension
C. Flushed, warm skin and high cardiac output
D. Confusion and peripheral cyanosis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: In the early or hyperdynamic phase of septic shock, peripheral
vasodilation leads to warm, flushed skin. The body compensates for reduced systemic
vascular resistance by increasing the heart rate and cardiac output. As the shock
progresses to the cold phase, the skin becomes cool and clammy due to compensatory
vasoconstriction.
4. The nurse is monitoring a patient with a chest tube and notes continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What does this finding most likely indicate?
A. There is a leak in the system or an air leak in the patient
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The suction level is set too high
D. This is a normal finding during expiration
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates that air is
leaking into the system, either from the patient’s pleural space or through a loose
connection. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax during
coughing or exhaling. The nurse should immediately assess the tubing and the patient’s
respiratory status to identify the source of the leak.
5. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient experiencing
anaphylactic shock?
A. Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM
B. Diphenhydramine 50 mg IV
C. Methylprednisolone 125 mg IV
D. Albuterol nebulizer treatment
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Epinephrine is the gold standard for treating anaphylaxis because it
rapidly reverses airway constriction and peripheral vasodilation. It acts on both alpha and
beta-adrenergic receptors to improve blood pressure and reduce mucosal edema. While
antihistamines and steroids are used as adjuncts, they do not act quickly enough to save a
life during an acute reaction.
6. A patient with a head injury exhibits a blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg, a heart rate of 45
beats/min, and irregular respirations. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
Nursing III / PN3 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
critical care nursing concepts, emergency patient management, and advanced clinical
interventions. The material emphasizes rapid clinical decision-making, patient stabilization, and
evidence-based nursing care.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve nursing
judgment and emergency care planning skills.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Emergency nursing assessment
• Shock and trauma management
• Cardiac emergency interventions
• Respiratory failure nursing care
• Sepsis recognition and management
• Critical care monitoring concepts
• Rapid response interventions
• Patient stabilization strategies
════════════════════════════════════
1. A patient arrives in the Emergency Department (ED) with a suspected myocardial
infarction. According to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), which level should the nurse
assign to this patient?
A. ESI Level 1
B. ESI Level 2
,C. ESI Level 3
D. ESI Level 4
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: ESI Level 2 is assigned to patients who are in a high-risk situation or
are experiencing a condition that could easily deteriorate. A suspected myocardial
infarction requires rapid intervention to prevent further cardiac damage. Level 1 is
reserved for patients requiring immediate life-saving interventions such as intubation or
those in active cardiac arrest.
2. During the primary survey of a trauma patient, the nurse assesses the airway. What is the
priority nursing action if the airway is not patent?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen via mask
B. Insert a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach
C. Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver while maintaining C-spine stabilization
D. Obtain a portable chest X-ray
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Maintaining a patent airway while protecting the cervical spine is the
first priority in trauma care. The jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred method to open the
airway without compromising the spinal cord in a suspected trauma victim. If these
measures fail, advanced airway management such as intubation must be initiated
immediately.
,3. A patient in the intensive care unit is showing signs of septic shock. Which of the following
assessment findings is most indicative of the ‘warm’ or hyperdynamic phase of sepsis?
A. Cold, clammy skin and bradycardia
B. Decreased urine output and hypotension
C. Flushed, warm skin and high cardiac output
D. Confusion and peripheral cyanosis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: In the early or hyperdynamic phase of septic shock, peripheral
vasodilation leads to warm, flushed skin. The body compensates for reduced systemic
vascular resistance by increasing the heart rate and cardiac output. As the shock
progresses to the cold phase, the skin becomes cool and clammy due to compensatory
vasoconstriction.
4. The nurse is monitoring a patient with a chest tube and notes continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber. What does this finding most likely indicate?
A. There is a leak in the system or an air leak in the patient
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The suction level is set too high
D. This is a normal finding during expiration
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates that air is
leaking into the system, either from the patient’s pleural space or through a loose
connection. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a patient with a pneumothorax during
coughing or exhaling. The nurse should immediately assess the tubing and the patient’s
respiratory status to identify the source of the leak.
5. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient experiencing
anaphylactic shock?
A. Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM
B. Diphenhydramine 50 mg IV
C. Methylprednisolone 125 mg IV
D. Albuterol nebulizer treatment
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Epinephrine is the gold standard for treating anaphylaxis because it
rapidly reverses airway constriction and peripheral vasodilation. It acts on both alpha and
beta-adrenergic receptors to improve blood pressure and reduce mucosal edema. While
antihistamines and steroids are used as adjuncts, they do not act quickly enough to save a
life during an acute reaction.
6. A patient with a head injury exhibits a blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg, a heart rate of 45
beats/min, and irregular respirations. What does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
