NSG 430 Final Exam Practice: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Cirrhosis, Portal
Hypertension, Pancreatitis, Burns, Shock, Hepatitis, Addison's Disease | Q&A
| Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing – Cirrhosis & Portal Hypertension, Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis,
Hepatitis (A/B/C), Burns & Wound Care, Shock States (Distributive, Hypovolemic), Addison's Disease, Diabetes (DKA),
Respiratory Failure (ARDS, Hypoxemia, Hypercapnia), Chest Tubes, AKI, Cellulitis
Source: NSG 430 Final Exam Practice Bank – Latest 2026/2027 Curriculum
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Total Questions: 60+ (All processed – no omissions, no truncation)
1. What is a major complication from Cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Portal Hypertension
B. Jaundice
C. Edema in the hands and feet
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: A. Portal Hypertension
1. Portal hypertension occurs when sclerotic vessels impair blood flow, causing increased pressure in the portal vein.
2. This leads to backup of blood, resulting in engorged/enlarged vessels and complications like varices and ascites.
2. In a patient with Addison's disease which imbalance would you not expect to see?
A. High sodium
B. Low Sodium
C. High Potassium
D. Low Cortisol
Correct Answer: A. High sodium
1. Addison's disease is primary adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenalism) – adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol
and aldosterone.
2. Signs/symptoms: hyperpigmented skin, low sodium, high potassium, low cortisol, low everything.
3. A patient experiencing shock begins to have low blood pressure. Which intervention will be used to
bring up their blood pressure?
A. Vasopressin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Fluid resuscitation
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
1. Norepinephrine is first-line vasopressor for septic and distributive shock.
2. Causes vasoconstriction, increasing BP after adequate fluid resuscitation.
4. Which enzyme produced by the pancreas can lead to autodigestion?
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
C. Protease
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: D. Trypsin
1. Amylase breaks down carbs; lipase breaks down fats; protease breaks down proteins; trypsin digests proteins.
2. When trypsin is activated in the pancreas, it can digest the pancreas itself and cause bleeding (autodigestion).
, 5. A patient is suspected of hypoxemia. What ABG findings would confirm hypoxemia?
A. Increased PaO2
B. Increased PaO2 and SaO2
C. Decreased PaO2 and SaO2
D. Decreased SaO2 and HCO3
Correct Answer: C. Decreased PaO2 and SaO2
1. Hypoxemia is insufficient O2 transferred to blood, resulting in oxygenation failure (PaO2 <60 mmHg).
2. Causes include respiratory or cardiac system disorders.
6. Why is a chest tube placed?
A. To reestablish negative pressure
B. To drain excess fluid from the pericardial cavity
C. To reestablish positive pressure
D. To release air from the abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: A. To reestablish negative pressure
1. Chest tubes reestablish negative pressure by draining the pleural cavity.
2. X-ray confirms affected side; site cleansed with antiseptic solution.
7. What are some complications of Portal Hypertension? (Select all that apply)
A. Splenomegaly
B. Ascites
C. Gastric and Esophageal Varices
D. Peripheral Edema
E. Hepatic Encephalopathy
Correct Answer: A, B, C (Splenomegaly, Ascites, Gastric and Esophageal Varices)
1. Portal hypertension causes blood to back up into collateral vessels.
2. This leads to splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), ascites (fluid in abdomen), and varices (enlarged veins in
esophagus/stomach).
8. What is a life-threatening complication of Cirrhosis?
A. Portal Hypertension
B. Pulmonary Fluid overload
C. Esophageal and Gastric Varices
D. Hepatic Encephalopathy
Correct Answer: C. Esophageal and Gastric Varices
1. Varices are enlarged veins at the lower end of esophagus; larger they are, more likely to bleed.
2. Responsible for 80% of hemorrhage; patient at risk for airway loss and massive hemorrhage.
9. What is the most common cause for pancreatitis in the United States?
A. Chronic alcohol intake
B. Gallbladder disease
C. Renal failure
D. Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: B. Gallbladder disease
1. Gallbladder disease (gallstones) is the most common cause of pancreatitis.
2. Second most common is chronic alcohol intake, which increases production of digestive enzymes in pancreas.
10. What is the treatment for peripheral edema for cirrhosis patients?
A. Diuretics
B. Exogenous Albumin
C. Hypovolemic fluid bolus
D. Endogenous reticulocytes
Correct Answer: B. Exogenous Albumin
1. Peripheral edema is caused by increased portacaval pressure from portal hypertension.
2. Albumin is a protein made in the liver that works to prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels into tissues.
Hypertension, Pancreatitis, Burns, Shock, Hepatitis, Addison's Disease | Q&A
| Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing – Cirrhosis & Portal Hypertension, Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis,
Hepatitis (A/B/C), Burns & Wound Care, Shock States (Distributive, Hypovolemic), Addison's Disease, Diabetes (DKA),
Respiratory Failure (ARDS, Hypoxemia, Hypercapnia), Chest Tubes, AKI, Cellulitis
Source: NSG 430 Final Exam Practice Bank – Latest 2026/2027 Curriculum
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Total Questions: 60+ (All processed – no omissions, no truncation)
1. What is a major complication from Cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Portal Hypertension
B. Jaundice
C. Edema in the hands and feet
D. Cardiomegaly
Correct Answer: A. Portal Hypertension
1. Portal hypertension occurs when sclerotic vessels impair blood flow, causing increased pressure in the portal vein.
2. This leads to backup of blood, resulting in engorged/enlarged vessels and complications like varices and ascites.
2. In a patient with Addison's disease which imbalance would you not expect to see?
A. High sodium
B. Low Sodium
C. High Potassium
D. Low Cortisol
Correct Answer: A. High sodium
1. Addison's disease is primary adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenalism) – adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol
and aldosterone.
2. Signs/symptoms: hyperpigmented skin, low sodium, high potassium, low cortisol, low everything.
3. A patient experiencing shock begins to have low blood pressure. Which intervention will be used to
bring up their blood pressure?
A. Vasopressin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Fluid resuscitation
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
1. Norepinephrine is first-line vasopressor for septic and distributive shock.
2. Causes vasoconstriction, increasing BP after adequate fluid resuscitation.
4. Which enzyme produced by the pancreas can lead to autodigestion?
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
C. Protease
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: D. Trypsin
1. Amylase breaks down carbs; lipase breaks down fats; protease breaks down proteins; trypsin digests proteins.
2. When trypsin is activated in the pancreas, it can digest the pancreas itself and cause bleeding (autodigestion).
, 5. A patient is suspected of hypoxemia. What ABG findings would confirm hypoxemia?
A. Increased PaO2
B. Increased PaO2 and SaO2
C. Decreased PaO2 and SaO2
D. Decreased SaO2 and HCO3
Correct Answer: C. Decreased PaO2 and SaO2
1. Hypoxemia is insufficient O2 transferred to blood, resulting in oxygenation failure (PaO2 <60 mmHg).
2. Causes include respiratory or cardiac system disorders.
6. Why is a chest tube placed?
A. To reestablish negative pressure
B. To drain excess fluid from the pericardial cavity
C. To reestablish positive pressure
D. To release air from the abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: A. To reestablish negative pressure
1. Chest tubes reestablish negative pressure by draining the pleural cavity.
2. X-ray confirms affected side; site cleansed with antiseptic solution.
7. What are some complications of Portal Hypertension? (Select all that apply)
A. Splenomegaly
B. Ascites
C. Gastric and Esophageal Varices
D. Peripheral Edema
E. Hepatic Encephalopathy
Correct Answer: A, B, C (Splenomegaly, Ascites, Gastric and Esophageal Varices)
1. Portal hypertension causes blood to back up into collateral vessels.
2. This leads to splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), ascites (fluid in abdomen), and varices (enlarged veins in
esophagus/stomach).
8. What is a life-threatening complication of Cirrhosis?
A. Portal Hypertension
B. Pulmonary Fluid overload
C. Esophageal and Gastric Varices
D. Hepatic Encephalopathy
Correct Answer: C. Esophageal and Gastric Varices
1. Varices are enlarged veins at the lower end of esophagus; larger they are, more likely to bleed.
2. Responsible for 80% of hemorrhage; patient at risk for airway loss and massive hemorrhage.
9. What is the most common cause for pancreatitis in the United States?
A. Chronic alcohol intake
B. Gallbladder disease
C. Renal failure
D. Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: B. Gallbladder disease
1. Gallbladder disease (gallstones) is the most common cause of pancreatitis.
2. Second most common is chronic alcohol intake, which increases production of digestive enzymes in pancreas.
10. What is the treatment for peripheral edema for cirrhosis patients?
A. Diuretics
B. Exogenous Albumin
C. Hypovolemic fluid bolus
D. Endogenous reticulocytes
Correct Answer: B. Exogenous Albumin
1. Peripheral edema is caused by increased portacaval pressure from portal hypertension.
2. Albumin is a protein made in the liver that works to prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels into tissues.
