NURS 6550 Midterm Exam – 400 Questions on Acute Care, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry & Critical Care – 2026

This document contains a comprehensive 400-question midterm review for NURS 6550, structured in a detailed question-and-answer format with expert-verified responses. The content spans advanced acute and critical care management including pleural fluid analysis (transudate vs exudate), pulmonary embolism workup (D-dimer, genetic risk factors such as Factor V Leiden), ARDS diagnostic criteria (bilateral infiltrates, refractory hypoxemia, decreased PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio), ventilator management (PEEP adjustment, FiO₂ risks 60%), obstructive shock causes, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure interpretation, and ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention. Extensive cardiovascular coverage includes hypertensive urgency vs emergency management, thoracic and descending aortic aneurysm treatment with beta blockers, ACS protocol (MONA/ANOM), unstable angina recognition, high-risk NSTEMI management with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, acute pulmonary edema following MI, systolic murmurs at the 2nd ICS (aortic stenosis), pericarditis diagnosis via ECG and NSAID treatment, CHF first-line therapy (ACE inhibitor and beta blocker), and cardiac rehabilitation phases. Advanced EKG interpretation steps (rate, rhythm, intervals, axis, morphology) and 12-lead lead perspectives are also reviewed. Neurologic and psychiatric topics include delirium assessment using Short-CAM, differentiation of dementia types (Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, vascular, Parkinson’s), panic disorder vs panic attacks (DSM-V), generalized anxiety disorder criteria, PTSD neurotransmitter involvement (norepinephrine), endogenous depression pathophysiology, atypical antipsychotics and annual lipid monitoring, and geriatric depression screening using the GDS. Ophthalmologic, ENT, and infectious disease management are thoroughly addressed, including epistaxis evaluation (anterior vs posterior bleed), corneal abrasion contraindications (avoid corticosteroids), orbital cellulitis management, gonococcal conjunctivitis treatment (IM ceftriaxone), allergic conjunctivitis presentation, angle-closure glaucoma evaluation via tonometry, macular degeneration assessment with Amsler grid, and Wood’s lamp applications. Pulmonary and infectious disease management includes Legionella treatment (azithromycin or levofloxacin), hospital-acquired pneumonia evaluation (sputum, ABG, blood cultures), epiglottitis recognition requiring intubation, COPD discharge therapy with long-acting bronchodilators, and TB prophylaxis with INH plus vitamin B6. The material aligns closely with Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care by Dains, Baumann, and Scheibel, as well as Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment references commonly utilized in AGACNP curricula. It reflects graduate-level clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, pharmacologic management, and evidence-based acute care decision-making expected in advanced practice nursing programs. This document is particularly relevant for: Students enrolled in NURS 6550 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) students MSN students in advanced acute and critical care courses Nurse practitioner students preparing for midterm examinations Advanced practice nursing students reviewing cardiopulmonary and emergency management concepts It serves as a comprehensive, exam-focused study guide designed to strengthen advanced clinical judgment, diagnostic accuracy, pharmacologic safety, and evidence-based management across multisystem acute and critical care scenarios. Keywords: NURS 6550 midterm exam AGACNP acute care review ARDS diagnostic criteria pulmonary embolism workup hypertensive emergency management thoracic aortic aneurysm treatment acute coronary syndrome MONA unstable angina vs NSTEMI cardiac rehabilitation phases delirium Short CAM assessment dementia differentiation types panic disorder DSM 5 criteria atypical antipsychotics lipid monitoring pericarditis ECG diagnosis CHF ACE inhibitor beta blocker ventilator associated pneumonia prevention COPD long acting bronchodilator angle closure glaucoma tonometry Legionella pneumonia treatment Factor V Leiden thrombophilia