NURS 3372 NURSING OF WOMEN
LATEST UPDATED (2025-2026) EXAM
2 REVIEW STUDY GUIDE, VIRGINIA
COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
, Page 1 of 37
NURS 3372- Exam 2 review
Exam 1 material + Exam 2
These questions are being provided to help you focus on topics and test your understanding
of the concepts and material.
1) What is pain?
2) How long does acute pain last? Lasts hours or days and resolves with healing
3) What is the purpose of acute pain?
4) What is chronic pain? Lasting beyond 3-6 months
5) What are nociceptors?
Nociception is the response of the nervous system to painful stimuli. Afferent nerve fibers that respond
to noxious stimuli are termed nociceptors.
6) What are the 2 main types of nociceptors and how do they differ?
A-Delta fiber: they are a myelinated structure, which allows for faster conduction of pain signals (about
5-30 m/s). A-delta fibers conduct impulses rapidly causing the first acute pain sensation .
C- fibers: these are unmyelinated and conduct signals more slowly.
C-fibers: conduct impulses slowly causing longer-lasting dull pain sensations .
7) What is pain modulation?
Pain modulation: refers to the processes by which the perception of pain is altered by various factors,
either enhancing or diminishing the pain experience.
8) Become familiar with pain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Excitatory or inhibitory.
>50 neurotransmitters involved with pain.
Pharmacological manipulation of neurotransmitters for pain management.
Example: medications increase the level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to treat
migraines.
9) What is somatic pain? List its characteristics.
Deep somatic pain originates from ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, and nerves themselves.
These areas contain small numbers of somatic nociceptors.
Injury to the skin or superficial tissues causes cutaneous pain. Cutaneous nociceptors terminate just
below the skin, where a high concentration of nerve endings exists. Cutaneous nerve endings produce a
well-defined, localized pain of short duration. Examples of injuries that produce cutaneous pain include
minor cuts and bruises, first-degree burns, and lacerations
10) What is visceral pain? List its characteristics.
Visceral pain is defined as pain emanating from deep organs, usually resulting from disease processes.
, Page 2 of 37
11) What is neuropathic pain? List its characteristics.
Injury or malfunction of nervous tissue. Burning, tingling, paresthesia (pins and needles).
12) What is allodynia?
13) What is referred pain?
Referred pain occurs when the pain response occurs at a distance from the actual pathology. It is a
hallmark of visceral pain (see Fig. 6-6) but occurs in other conditions as well. Referred pain occurs when
nerve fibers from regions of high sensory input, such as the skin, and nerve fibers from regions of
normally low sensory input, such as the internal organs, converge on the same levels of the spinal cord.
14) What is phantom pain? Amputated part of the body .
15) What is pain threshold?
The higher threshold is consistent for many stimuli such as mechanical and thermal injury, although
there is some evidence that older adults experience greater levels of visceral pain.
16) What is pain tolerance?
17) What organ is considered the body's natural thermostat? Hypothalamus
18) Explain the main hormones involved in the production of heat (starting at the hypothalamus).
19) What are pyrogens?
Pyrogens activate PGs to reset the hypothalamic temperature-regulating center in the brain to a higher
level. A higher body temperature is theorized to increase the efficiency of WBCs in their defense of the body
against foreign invaders
20) What is the purpose of fever?
Fever in older adults is defined as a rise of 2°F (1.1°C) over baseline, or repeated findings of oral
temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, or rectal temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C) or higher.
21) What is considered a fever in Celsius and Fahrenheit? 98.6 F
22) What is a fever of unknown origin?
23) Explain the differences between:
24) Heat cramps
25) Heat exhaustion
26) Heatstroke
Conversely, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can occur because of exposure to high temperatures—those
greater than body temperature. Heat stroke occurs because of the widespread vasodilation and loss of fluids
that occur in extreme heat. As the body tries to cool itself, severe hypotension or shock can occur. Both
extremes of temperature challenge the body’s restorative powers; if untreated, they can cause death.
27) What is malignant hyperthermia? What medication is used to treat it? Dantrolene sodium
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening familiar hypermetabolic disorder of skeletal muscle that
can be precipitated by specific anesthetic agent.
28) Explain the reasons why very young or elderly people are more susceptible to temperature extremes
(hypothermia and hyperthermia)
, Page 3 of 37
The reasons for this are a combination of the fewer antigen-specific antibodies that are produced by
older adults, poorer thermoregulation by the CNS, less responsiveness of the hypothalamus, and a
decreased production of endogenous pyrogens. Changes in the body, including less subcutaneous fat and
less vasodilation, render the body less able to produce and conserve body heat. These changes also lead
to lack of fever and increased likelihood of hypothermia. In addition, older adults may be less able to
recognize loss of body heat and take the appropriate actions, such as adding more clothing.
29) Explain the different heat loss mechanisms.
Conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation
30) What is the difference between REM and non-REM sleep?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM (NREM) sleep are two distinct phases of sleep that play
important roles in overall health and well-being. Here are the key differences:
### REM Sleep:
1. Characteristics: During REM sleep, the brain is very active, and most dreaming occurs. Eye movements
are rapid, and the body experiences temporary muscle paralysis (atonia).
2. Brain Activity: Brain waves during REM sleep resemble those of wakefulness, indicating high levels of
brain activity.
3. Duration: REM654
‘[poiuytrewq 132 sleep typically occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep, with cycles
repeating every 90 minutes throughout the night. It usually lasts longer in the later cycles.
4. Function: REM sleep is believed to be important for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and
creativity.
### Non-REM Sleep:
1. Characteristics: NREM sleep is divided into three stages (N1, N2, and N3), ranging from light sleep (N1)
to deep sleep (N3). There are no rapid eye movements during this phase.
2. Brain Activity: Brain waves slow down progressively from stage to stage, with N3 showing the slowest
waves (delta waves).
3. Duration: Non-REM sleep makes up the majority of the sleep cycle, especially in the earlier part of the
night.
4. Function: NREM sleep is crucial for physical restoration, growth, immune function, and overall
recovery.
31) How often does REM sleep happen during the sleep cycle?
32) What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Explain causes and symptoms.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common cause of nonrestorative sleep. OSA is caused by the
relaxation of pharyngeal soft tissue that collapses over the airways during sleep. The hallmark symptom
of OSA is excessive daytime sleepiness; the patient may also report snoring and repetitive pauses in
breathing.
33) What are the symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) symptoms include:
1. Urge to Move: Strong desire to move the legs.
2. Unpleasant Sensations: Feelings like creeping, crawling, or tingling.
LATEST UPDATED (2025-2026) EXAM
2 REVIEW STUDY GUIDE, VIRGINIA
COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
, Page 1 of 37
NURS 3372- Exam 2 review
Exam 1 material + Exam 2
These questions are being provided to help you focus on topics and test your understanding
of the concepts and material.
1) What is pain?
2) How long does acute pain last? Lasts hours or days and resolves with healing
3) What is the purpose of acute pain?
4) What is chronic pain? Lasting beyond 3-6 months
5) What are nociceptors?
Nociception is the response of the nervous system to painful stimuli. Afferent nerve fibers that respond
to noxious stimuli are termed nociceptors.
6) What are the 2 main types of nociceptors and how do they differ?
A-Delta fiber: they are a myelinated structure, which allows for faster conduction of pain signals (about
5-30 m/s). A-delta fibers conduct impulses rapidly causing the first acute pain sensation .
C- fibers: these are unmyelinated and conduct signals more slowly.
C-fibers: conduct impulses slowly causing longer-lasting dull pain sensations .
7) What is pain modulation?
Pain modulation: refers to the processes by which the perception of pain is altered by various factors,
either enhancing or diminishing the pain experience.
8) Become familiar with pain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Excitatory or inhibitory.
>50 neurotransmitters involved with pain.
Pharmacological manipulation of neurotransmitters for pain management.
Example: medications increase the level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to treat
migraines.
9) What is somatic pain? List its characteristics.
Deep somatic pain originates from ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, and nerves themselves.
These areas contain small numbers of somatic nociceptors.
Injury to the skin or superficial tissues causes cutaneous pain. Cutaneous nociceptors terminate just
below the skin, where a high concentration of nerve endings exists. Cutaneous nerve endings produce a
well-defined, localized pain of short duration. Examples of injuries that produce cutaneous pain include
minor cuts and bruises, first-degree burns, and lacerations
10) What is visceral pain? List its characteristics.
Visceral pain is defined as pain emanating from deep organs, usually resulting from disease processes.
, Page 2 of 37
11) What is neuropathic pain? List its characteristics.
Injury or malfunction of nervous tissue. Burning, tingling, paresthesia (pins and needles).
12) What is allodynia?
13) What is referred pain?
Referred pain occurs when the pain response occurs at a distance from the actual pathology. It is a
hallmark of visceral pain (see Fig. 6-6) but occurs in other conditions as well. Referred pain occurs when
nerve fibers from regions of high sensory input, such as the skin, and nerve fibers from regions of
normally low sensory input, such as the internal organs, converge on the same levels of the spinal cord.
14) What is phantom pain? Amputated part of the body .
15) What is pain threshold?
The higher threshold is consistent for many stimuli such as mechanical and thermal injury, although
there is some evidence that older adults experience greater levels of visceral pain.
16) What is pain tolerance?
17) What organ is considered the body's natural thermostat? Hypothalamus
18) Explain the main hormones involved in the production of heat (starting at the hypothalamus).
19) What are pyrogens?
Pyrogens activate PGs to reset the hypothalamic temperature-regulating center in the brain to a higher
level. A higher body temperature is theorized to increase the efficiency of WBCs in their defense of the body
against foreign invaders
20) What is the purpose of fever?
Fever in older adults is defined as a rise of 2°F (1.1°C) over baseline, or repeated findings of oral
temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, or rectal temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C) or higher.
21) What is considered a fever in Celsius and Fahrenheit? 98.6 F
22) What is a fever of unknown origin?
23) Explain the differences between:
24) Heat cramps
25) Heat exhaustion
26) Heatstroke
Conversely, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can occur because of exposure to high temperatures—those
greater than body temperature. Heat stroke occurs because of the widespread vasodilation and loss of fluids
that occur in extreme heat. As the body tries to cool itself, severe hypotension or shock can occur. Both
extremes of temperature challenge the body’s restorative powers; if untreated, they can cause death.
27) What is malignant hyperthermia? What medication is used to treat it? Dantrolene sodium
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening familiar hypermetabolic disorder of skeletal muscle that
can be precipitated by specific anesthetic agent.
28) Explain the reasons why very young or elderly people are more susceptible to temperature extremes
(hypothermia and hyperthermia)
, Page 3 of 37
The reasons for this are a combination of the fewer antigen-specific antibodies that are produced by
older adults, poorer thermoregulation by the CNS, less responsiveness of the hypothalamus, and a
decreased production of endogenous pyrogens. Changes in the body, including less subcutaneous fat and
less vasodilation, render the body less able to produce and conserve body heat. These changes also lead
to lack of fever and increased likelihood of hypothermia. In addition, older adults may be less able to
recognize loss of body heat and take the appropriate actions, such as adding more clothing.
29) Explain the different heat loss mechanisms.
Conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation
30) What is the difference between REM and non-REM sleep?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM (NREM) sleep are two distinct phases of sleep that play
important roles in overall health and well-being. Here are the key differences:
### REM Sleep:
1. Characteristics: During REM sleep, the brain is very active, and most dreaming occurs. Eye movements
are rapid, and the body experiences temporary muscle paralysis (atonia).
2. Brain Activity: Brain waves during REM sleep resemble those of wakefulness, indicating high levels of
brain activity.
3. Duration: REM654
‘[poiuytrewq 132 sleep typically occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep, with cycles
repeating every 90 minutes throughout the night. It usually lasts longer in the later cycles.
4. Function: REM sleep is believed to be important for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and
creativity.
### Non-REM Sleep:
1. Characteristics: NREM sleep is divided into three stages (N1, N2, and N3), ranging from light sleep (N1)
to deep sleep (N3). There are no rapid eye movements during this phase.
2. Brain Activity: Brain waves slow down progressively from stage to stage, with N3 showing the slowest
waves (delta waves).
3. Duration: Non-REM sleep makes up the majority of the sleep cycle, especially in the earlier part of the
night.
4. Function: NREM sleep is crucial for physical restoration, growth, immune function, and overall
recovery.
31) How often does REM sleep happen during the sleep cycle?
32) What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Explain causes and symptoms.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common cause of nonrestorative sleep. OSA is caused by the
relaxation of pharyngeal soft tissue that collapses over the airways during sleep. The hallmark symptom
of OSA is excessive daytime sleepiness; the patient may also report snoring and repetitive pauses in
breathing.
33) What are the symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) symptoms include:
1. Urge to Move: Strong desire to move the legs.
2. Unpleasant Sensations: Feelings like creeping, crawling, or tingling.
