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PATHO 313 – Pathophysiology Exam 4
Questions, Answers, and Complete Solutions
(2026/2027)
1. The liver is the only internal organ capable of significant regeneration.
Which cell type is primarily responsible for this function?
A. Kupffer cells
B. Sinusoidal cells
C. Hepatocytes
D. Stellate cells
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Hepatocytes are the primary functional cells of the liver and
possess a high capacity for replication and regeneration following injury
or partial resection.
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2. A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain 30 minutes after
eating a fatty meal. The nurse recognizes this as a common
manifestation of which condition?
A. Hepatitis
B. Gastric ulcer
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Diverticulitis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Pain following a fatty meal is classic for cholelithiasis
(gallstones), as fatty chyme stimulates gallbladder contraction against
an obstructed cystic duct.
3. Prolonged vomiting places a patient at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
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D. Metabolic alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Prolonged vomiting leads to a loss of gastric acid (HCl),
resulting in a decrease in hydrogen ions and a subsequent increase in
blood pH, causing metabolic alkalosis.
4. A patient with a history of chronic constipation is at increased risk for
developing which complication?
A. Hematochezia
B. Fecal impaction
C. Melena
D. Hematemesis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Chronic, retained stool becomes hardened and lodged in the
rectum, leading to fecal impaction, which can cause obstruction and
requires manual or medical intervention.
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5. A patient with severe diarrhea is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Diarrhea causes a loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal
secretions, leading to a decrease in the body's base buffer and resulting
in metabolic acidosis.
6. The nurse notes "coffee ground" emesis on a patient's assessment.
This finding is indicative of:
A. A lower GI bleed
B. An upper GI bleed with partial digestion of blood
C. Occult bleeding from the jejunum
D. Bright red bleeding from hemorrhoids
PATHO 313 – Pathophysiology Exam 4
Questions, Answers, and Complete Solutions
(2026/2027)
1. The liver is the only internal organ capable of significant regeneration.
Which cell type is primarily responsible for this function?
A. Kupffer cells
B. Sinusoidal cells
C. Hepatocytes
D. Stellate cells
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Hepatocytes are the primary functional cells of the liver and
possess a high capacity for replication and regeneration following injury
or partial resection.
,2|Page
2. A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain 30 minutes after
eating a fatty meal. The nurse recognizes this as a common
manifestation of which condition?
A. Hepatitis
B. Gastric ulcer
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Diverticulitis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Pain following a fatty meal is classic for cholelithiasis
(gallstones), as fatty chyme stimulates gallbladder contraction against
an obstructed cystic duct.
3. Prolonged vomiting places a patient at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
,3|Page
D. Metabolic alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Prolonged vomiting leads to a loss of gastric acid (HCl),
resulting in a decrease in hydrogen ions and a subsequent increase in
blood pH, causing metabolic alkalosis.
4. A patient with a history of chronic constipation is at increased risk for
developing which complication?
A. Hematochezia
B. Fecal impaction
C. Melena
D. Hematemesis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Chronic, retained stool becomes hardened and lodged in the
rectum, leading to fecal impaction, which can cause obstruction and
requires manual or medical intervention.
, 4|Page
5. A patient with severe diarrhea is at risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Diarrhea causes a loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal
secretions, leading to a decrease in the body's base buffer and resulting
in metabolic acidosis.
6. The nurse notes "coffee ground" emesis on a patient's assessment.
This finding is indicative of:
A. A lower GI bleed
B. An upper GI bleed with partial digestion of blood
C. Occult bleeding from the jejunum
D. Bright red bleeding from hemorrhoids
