NUR2571 Exam 2 V3 | NUR 2571 Professional
Nursing II / PN2 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
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This comprehensive exam-style resource is designed to prepare students for professional nursing
assessments related to acute illness management, advanced nursing interventions, and safe
patient care delivery. The material emphasizes evidence-based nursing care and
interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration.
The questions are structured to closely mirror actual course exams while reinforcing
prioritization, clinical reasoning, and nursing management strategies. Detailed expert
explanations support understanding and successful exam performance.
════════════════════════════════════
Why Use This Exam:
• Supports mastery of acute care nursing concepts
• Reinforces safe patient care practices
• Strengthens nursing intervention knowledge
• Improves healthcare management understanding
• Enhances clinical reasoning abilities
• Provides realistic exam-style preparation
• Encourages analytical nursing thinking
• Helps identify areas needing improvement
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1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from a thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding is the highest priority?
A. Hoarseness of the voice
B. Frequent swallowing
,C. Pain at the incision site
D. Tingling in the fingers and toes
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Tingling in the fingers and toes (paresthesia) is a sign of
hypocalcemia, which can occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or
damaged during a thyroidectomy. This is a medical emergency that can lead to tetany and
laryngospasm. This analysis highlights that nursing interventions must focus on life-
threatening electrolyte imbalances immediately post-surgery. Monitoring for signs of
Chvostek’s or Trousseau’s is a critical nursing priority for post-thyroidectomy patients.
2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the patient’s SpO2 is 89%. What is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Increase the oxygen flow to 6 L/min
B. Notify the rapid response team
C. Switch to a non-rebreather mask
D. Continue to monitor the patient
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: For a patient with COPD, an SpO2 level between 88% and 92% is
often the target range. Oxygen administration in COPD patients must be managed carefully
, to avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive to breathe. Increasing oxygen too much can lead to
CO2 retention and respiratory acidosis.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing the
early stage of compensatory shock?
A. Tachycardia and restlessness
B. Decreased urinary output
C. Lethargy and cold skin
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to maintain
homeostasis through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This results in an
increased heart rate (tachycardia) and feelings of anxiety or restlessness. Blood pressure
may still be within normal limits due to compensatory mechanisms.
4. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory
result would the nurse expect to be significantly elevated?
A. Serum amylase
B. Serum creatinine
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum albumin
Nursing II / PN2 Exam Q&A | Rasmussen
University
────────────────────────────────────
This comprehensive exam-style resource is designed to prepare students for professional nursing
assessments related to acute illness management, advanced nursing interventions, and safe
patient care delivery. The material emphasizes evidence-based nursing care and
interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration.
The questions are structured to closely mirror actual course exams while reinforcing
prioritization, clinical reasoning, and nursing management strategies. Detailed expert
explanations support understanding and successful exam performance.
════════════════════════════════════
Why Use This Exam:
• Supports mastery of acute care nursing concepts
• Reinforces safe patient care practices
• Strengthens nursing intervention knowledge
• Improves healthcare management understanding
• Enhances clinical reasoning abilities
• Provides realistic exam-style preparation
• Encourages analytical nursing thinking
• Helps identify areas needing improvement
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from a thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding is the highest priority?
A. Hoarseness of the voice
B. Frequent swallowing
,C. Pain at the incision site
D. Tingling in the fingers and toes
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Tingling in the fingers and toes (paresthesia) is a sign of
hypocalcemia, which can occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or
damaged during a thyroidectomy. This is a medical emergency that can lead to tetany and
laryngospasm. This analysis highlights that nursing interventions must focus on life-
threatening electrolyte imbalances immediately post-surgery. Monitoring for signs of
Chvostek’s or Trousseau’s is a critical nursing priority for post-thyroidectomy patients.
2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the patient’s SpO2 is 89%. What is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Increase the oxygen flow to 6 L/min
B. Notify the rapid response team
C. Switch to a non-rebreather mask
D. Continue to monitor the patient
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: For a patient with COPD, an SpO2 level between 88% and 92% is
often the target range. Oxygen administration in COPD patients must be managed carefully
, to avoid suppressing the hypoxic drive to breathe. Increasing oxygen too much can lead to
CO2 retention and respiratory acidosis.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing the
early stage of compensatory shock?
A. Tachycardia and restlessness
B. Decreased urinary output
C. Lethargy and cold skin
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to maintain
homeostasis through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This results in an
increased heart rate (tachycardia) and feelings of anxiety or restlessness. Blood pressure
may still be within normal limits due to compensatory mechanisms.
4. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory
result would the nurse expect to be significantly elevated?
A. Serum amylase
B. Serum creatinine
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum albumin
