NUR2571 Exam 3 V2 | NUR 2571 Professional
Nursing II / PN2 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
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This study guide is intended to provide comprehensive preparation for advanced nursing
assessments related to critical illness management, acute patient care, and complex
therapeutic interventions. The content reflects practical nursing concepts commonly tested in
professional nursing examinations.
This version contains realistic exam-style questions designed to strengthen understanding of
emergency prioritization, patient assessment findings, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
Detailed expert explanations support concept mastery and practical nursing application.
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Why Use This Exam:
• Improves understanding of critical care concepts
• Reinforces emergency patient management
• Strengthens advanced nursing intervention knowledge
• Supports clinical reasoning development
• Enhances prioritization and assessment skills
• Provides detailed expert explanations
• Encourages evidence-based clinical practice
• Helps students prepare for advanced nursing exams
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1. A nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who is on mechanical ventilation. The ‘High
Pressure’ alarm begins to sound. Which of the following should the nurse assess first?
A. A leak in the cuff of the endotracheal tube
B. The patient’s spontaneous respiratory rate is too low
,C. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
D. The patient biting on the endotracheal tube
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance to
airflow, such as the patient biting the tube, secretions, or kinks in the circuit. Low-pressure
alarms are typically triggered by disconnections or leaks. This understanding is crucial for
ensuring the patient receives adequate ventilation and prevents lung injury.
2. A patient arrives in the Emergency Department with suspected septic shock. Which of the
following orders should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic
B. Obtain blood cultures from two different sites
C. Start a vasopressor infusion to maintain MAP > 65
D. Infuse a 30 mL/kg bolus of isotonic crystalloids
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Fluid resuscitation is the immediate priority in septic shock to
restore perfusion and address relative hypovolemia. While blood cultures and antibiotics
are essential, they follow the stabilization of circulating volume. Vasopressors are only
initiated if the patient remains hypotensive after adequate fluid resuscitation.
, 3. A nurse is assessing a patient with a head injury. Which of the following findings would
indicate Cushing’s Triad, a sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea
B. Bradycardia, hypotension, and Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Bradycardia, hypertension with a widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations
D. Tachycardia, hypertension, and shallow breathing
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cushing’s Triad is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure and
brainstem herniation. It consists of a slow heart rate, an increase in systolic blood pressure
with a wider gap between systolic and diastolic, and altered breathing patterns.
Recognizing this early allows for emergency interventions to reduce pressure.
4. During the emergent phase of burn management, which of the following electrolyte
imbalances is most expected?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: A
Nursing II / PN2 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This study guide is intended to provide comprehensive preparation for advanced nursing
assessments related to critical illness management, acute patient care, and complex
therapeutic interventions. The content reflects practical nursing concepts commonly tested in
professional nursing examinations.
This version contains realistic exam-style questions designed to strengthen understanding of
emergency prioritization, patient assessment findings, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
Detailed expert explanations support concept mastery and practical nursing application.
════════════════════════════════════
Why Use This Exam:
• Improves understanding of critical care concepts
• Reinforces emergency patient management
• Strengthens advanced nursing intervention knowledge
• Supports clinical reasoning development
• Enhances prioritization and assessment skills
• Provides detailed expert explanations
• Encourages evidence-based clinical practice
• Helps students prepare for advanced nursing exams
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who is on mechanical ventilation. The ‘High
Pressure’ alarm begins to sound. Which of the following should the nurse assess first?
A. A leak in the cuff of the endotracheal tube
B. The patient’s spontaneous respiratory rate is too low
,C. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
D. The patient biting on the endotracheal tube
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance to
airflow, such as the patient biting the tube, secretions, or kinks in the circuit. Low-pressure
alarms are typically triggered by disconnections or leaks. This understanding is crucial for
ensuring the patient receives adequate ventilation and prevents lung injury.
2. A patient arrives in the Emergency Department with suspected septic shock. Which of the
following orders should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic
B. Obtain blood cultures from two different sites
C. Start a vasopressor infusion to maintain MAP > 65
D. Infuse a 30 mL/kg bolus of isotonic crystalloids
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Fluid resuscitation is the immediate priority in septic shock to
restore perfusion and address relative hypovolemia. While blood cultures and antibiotics
are essential, they follow the stabilization of circulating volume. Vasopressors are only
initiated if the patient remains hypotensive after adequate fluid resuscitation.
, 3. A nurse is assessing a patient with a head injury. Which of the following findings would
indicate Cushing’s Triad, a sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea
B. Bradycardia, hypotension, and Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Bradycardia, hypertension with a widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations
D. Tachycardia, hypertension, and shallow breathing
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Cushing’s Triad is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure and
brainstem herniation. It consists of a slow heart rate, an increase in systolic blood pressure
with a wider gap between systolic and diastolic, and altered breathing patterns.
Recognizing this early allows for emergency interventions to reduce pressure.
4. During the emergent phase of burn management, which of the following electrolyte
imbalances is most expected?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: A
