00000 N138 Midterm Samuel Merritt University Questions With Complete Solutions

00000 N138 Midterm Samuel Merritt University Questions With Complete Solutions

 Course

 N138

Question 1: Pharmacology

A patient is prescribed warfarin. What lab test is most crucial to monitor regularly, and why?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: INR (International Normalized Ratio).

 Rationale: INR measures blood clotting and ensures the patient remains within the
therapeutic range to prevent bleeding or clotting complications.



Question 2: Anatomy & Physiology

What is the primary function of the sinoatrial (SA) node in the heart?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: It acts as the natural pacemaker, initiating electrical impulses that
regulate the heart's rhythm.

 Rationale: The SA node ensures the heart contracts in a coordinated manner,
maintaining effective circulation.



Question 3: Pathophysiology

Explain why a patient with left-sided heart failure may develop pulmonary edema.
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Left-sided heart failure causes a backup of blood into the pulmonary
circulation, increasing pressure and leading to fluid leakage into the alveoli (pulmonary
edema).

 Rationale: This fluid accumulation impairs gas exchange, causing symptoms like
shortness of breath.



Question 4: Research and Evidence-Based Practice

,What is the primary purpose of a randomized controlled trial (RCT)?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: To minimize bias and establish causality between an intervention and
an outcome.

 Rationale: RCTs are the gold standard in clinical research because randomization and
control reduce confounding variables.



Question 5: Nursing Leadership

Which leadership style involves collaboration and shared decision-making?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Democratic leadership.

 Rationale: This style fosters team participation, improves morale, and encourages
innovation in healthcare settings.



Question 6: Microbiology

Why are gram-negative bacteria more resistant to antibiotics than gram-positive bacteria?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane that acts as a barrier
to certain antibiotics.

 Rationale: The lipid bilayer in gram-negative bacteria limits drug penetration,
complicating treatment.



Question 7: Nutrition

What is the primary concern when administering enteral nutrition to a patient with impaired
gastric motility?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Aspiration risk.

 Rationale: Delayed gastric emptying increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration,
which can lead to pneumonia.

,Question 8: Patient Assessment

During a neurological exam, the patient’s right pupil does not constrict in response to light.
What cranial nerve might be affected?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Cranial nerve III (Oculomotor nerve).

 Rationale: The oculomotor nerve controls pupil constriction. A lack of response indicates
potential nerve dysfunction.



Question 9: Ethics in Healthcare

A patient refuses life-saving treatment. What ethical principle supports the healthcare
provider’s obligation to honor this decision?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Autonomy.

 Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their
own care, even if it conflicts with medical advice.



Question 10: Public Health

Which of the following interventions is an example of primary prevention?
A. Blood pressure screening
B. Administering vaccines
C. Rehabilitating stroke patients
D. Prescribing antihypertensives
Answer:

 Correct Answer: B. Administering vaccines.

 Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs, and vaccines are
a key strategy in this approach.

Question 11: Pharmacology

What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Naloxone.

,  Rationale: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid effects by competitively binding to opioid
receptors, preventing respiratory depression and other life-threatening effects.



Question 12: Anatomy & Physiology

What is the primary function of the nephron in the kidney?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Filtration of blood, reabsorption of nutrients, and excretion of waste.

 Rationale: The nephron regulates water and electrolyte balance and removes toxins via
urine formation.



Question 13: Pathophysiology

Why does chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lead to respiratory acidosis?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: COPD impairs gas exchange, leading to CO₂ retention and decreased
blood pH.

 Rationale: The buildup of CO₂ increases acidity in the blood, disrupting normal acid-base
balance.



Question 14: Medical-Surgical Nursing

What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic reaction?
Answer:

 Correct Answer: Administer epinephrine.

 Rationale: Epinephrine reverses airway constriction and hypotension, which are life-
threatening in anaphylaxis.



Question 15: Nutrition

A patient with iron-deficiency anemia is advised to take iron supplements. What beverage
should be avoided to maximize absorption?
Answer: