NR 325 Adult Health III - Week 10 Comprehensive Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A patient is admitted with suspected Systemic Inflammatory Response
Syndrome (SIRS). Which of the following clinical findings meets the criteria for
SIRS?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius
D. White blood cell count of 15,000/mm3
Answer: D
Rationale: SIRS criteria include a WBC count >12,000 or <4,000, temperature >38C or
<36C, heart rate >90, and respiratory rate >20.
2. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) is best defined as the failure
of how many organs?
A. Failure of at least one organ in an acutely ill patient
B. Failure of two or more organ systems in an acutely ill patient
C. Failure of all organs in the body simultaneously
D. Failure of the renal and respiratory systems only
Answer: B
Rationale: MODS involves the failure of two or more organ systems such that homeostasis
cannot be maintained without intervention.
,3. In the initial management of septic shock, what is the recommended fluid
bolus volume?
A. 10 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloids
B. 20 mL/kg of albumin
C. 30 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloids
D. 50 mL/kg of hypotonic solutions
Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based guidelines for sepsis management recommend an initial fluid
resuscitation of 30 mL/kg of crystalloid within the first 3 hours.
4. A patient in neurogenic shock presents with a unique clinical finding
compared to other types of shock. Which is it?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results in a loss of sympathetic tone, leading to the ‘classic’
triad of hypotension, bradycardia, and poikilothermia.
5. What is the first-line medication used to treat anaphylactic shock?
A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Albuterol
C. Methylprednisolone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: D
Rationale: Epinephrine is the drug of choice for anaphylactic shock as it causes
vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.
, 6. Which hemodynamic parameter is most indicative of Cardiogenic Shock?
A. Decreased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Increased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
D. Increased Cardiac Output
Answer: C
Rationale: In cardiogenic shock, the heart fails as a pump, leading to blood backing up into
the lungs and increasing the PAWP.
7. A patient has a Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of 55 mmHg. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue to monitor every 4 hours
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Notify the provider and prepare for interventions
D. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: A MAP of at least 65 mmHg is generally required to maintain adequate organ
perfusion; 55 mmHg indicates inadequate perfusion.
8. During the emergent phase of a burn injury, which electrolyte imbalance is
most commonly expected?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia occurs in the emergent phase due to cell destruction and the
release of potassium into the extracellular space.
|Chamberlain College
1. A patient is admitted with suspected Systemic Inflammatory Response
Syndrome (SIRS). Which of the following clinical findings meets the criteria for
SIRS?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius
D. White blood cell count of 15,000/mm3
Answer: D
Rationale: SIRS criteria include a WBC count >12,000 or <4,000, temperature >38C or
<36C, heart rate >90, and respiratory rate >20.
2. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) is best defined as the failure
of how many organs?
A. Failure of at least one organ in an acutely ill patient
B. Failure of two or more organ systems in an acutely ill patient
C. Failure of all organs in the body simultaneously
D. Failure of the renal and respiratory systems only
Answer: B
Rationale: MODS involves the failure of two or more organ systems such that homeostasis
cannot be maintained without intervention.
,3. In the initial management of septic shock, what is the recommended fluid
bolus volume?
A. 10 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloids
B. 20 mL/kg of albumin
C. 30 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloids
D. 50 mL/kg of hypotonic solutions
Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based guidelines for sepsis management recommend an initial fluid
resuscitation of 30 mL/kg of crystalloid within the first 3 hours.
4. A patient in neurogenic shock presents with a unique clinical finding
compared to other types of shock. Which is it?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bradycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results in a loss of sympathetic tone, leading to the ‘classic’
triad of hypotension, bradycardia, and poikilothermia.
5. What is the first-line medication used to treat anaphylactic shock?
A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Albuterol
C. Methylprednisolone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: D
Rationale: Epinephrine is the drug of choice for anaphylactic shock as it causes
vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.
, 6. Which hemodynamic parameter is most indicative of Cardiogenic Shock?
A. Decreased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Increased Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
D. Increased Cardiac Output
Answer: C
Rationale: In cardiogenic shock, the heart fails as a pump, leading to blood backing up into
the lungs and increasing the PAWP.
7. A patient has a Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of 55 mmHg. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue to monitor every 4 hours
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Notify the provider and prepare for interventions
D. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: A MAP of at least 65 mmHg is generally required to maintain adequate organ
perfusion; 55 mmHg indicates inadequate perfusion.
8. During the emergent phase of a burn injury, which electrolyte imbalance is
most commonly expected?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia occurs in the emergent phase due to cell destruction and the
release of potassium into the extracellular space.
