Page 1 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
NCLEX-RN Style Exam: Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
1. A client has a genetic mutation that prevents cellular apoptosis. Which of the following is the
most likely complication?
A. Dehydration
B. Infection
C. Cancer
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
2. A nurse is explaining cellular adaptation to a patient. Which is an example of hypertrophy?
A. Uterine lining shedding
B. Skeletal muscle enlargement from weight training
C. Liver shrinking after alcohol damage
D. Cervical cell dysplasia from HPV
Answer: B
3. A patient presents with severe hypoxia. Which compensatory response will the body initiate?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased erythropoiesis
C. Increased ATP production
D. Increased red blood cell production
Answer: D
4. Which cellular change is most associated with precancerous conditions?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: D
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
,Page 2 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
5. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the swelling that occurs during acute
inflammation?
A. Increased lymphatic drainage
B. Vasoconstriction of arterioles
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Red blood cell hemolysis
Answer: C
6. The nurse knows that the hallmark signs of inflammation include all EXCEPT:
A. Redness
B. Swelling
C. Numbness
D. Heat
Answer: C
7. A nurse caring for a burn patient knows that fluid shifts are caused by:
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Loss of protein through open wounds
D. Vasoconstriction at the burn site
Answer: C
8. Which lab result would the nurse expect in a patient with chronic inflammation?
A. Decreased white blood cell count
B. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Low erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D. Low neutrophils
Answer: B
9. What is the primary function of mast cells in the immune response?
A. Produce antibodies
B. Present antigens to T cells
C. Release histamine and other mediators
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
,Page 3 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
D. Destroy infected cells
Answer: C
10. Which patient would be at the highest risk for fluid volume excess?
A. A patient with diarrhea
B. A patient receiving IV 0.9% NaCl rapidly
C. A patient with diabetes insipidus
D. A patient with prolonged vomiting
Answer: B
11. The nurse receives a patient with metabolic alkalosis. What is a possible cause?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Chronic diarrhea
C. Prolonged vomiting
D. Respiratory failure
Answer: C
12. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) value represents respiratory alkalosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 28 mm Hg
B. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 45 mm Hg
C. pH 7.29, HCO₃ 19 mEq/L
D. pH 7.42, HCO₃ 24 mEq/L
Answer: A
13. The nurse is reviewing an ABG with the following values: pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 51, HCO₃ 24.
What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
, Page 4 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
14. Which of the following tumors would most likely be classified as benign?
A. Adenocarcinoma
B. Liposarcoma
C. Osteoma
D. Melanoma
Answer: C
15. A client asks what makes cancer cells different. The nurse responds:
A. “They die more quickly than healthy cells.”
B. “They grow in a regulated and limited manner.”
C. “They have uncontrolled growth and abnormal differentiation.”
D. “They do not use energy like normal cells.”
Answer: C
16. A nurse is teaching about cancer warning signs. Which should be included?
A. Loss of appetite after exercise
B. Sudden change in vision during a cold
C. A mole that becomes irregular in shape and color
D. Muscle soreness after weight lifting
Answer: C
17. Which cancer is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus?
A. Cervical cancer
B. Hodgkin lymphoma
C. Lung cancer
D. Prostate cancer
Answer: B
18. What is the purpose of tumor suppressor genes?
A. Promote cell division
B. Trigger angiogenesis
C. Prevent uncontrolled cell growth
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
NCLEX-RN Style Exam: Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
1. A client has a genetic mutation that prevents cellular apoptosis. Which of the following is the
most likely complication?
A. Dehydration
B. Infection
C. Cancer
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
2. A nurse is explaining cellular adaptation to a patient. Which is an example of hypertrophy?
A. Uterine lining shedding
B. Skeletal muscle enlargement from weight training
C. Liver shrinking after alcohol damage
D. Cervical cell dysplasia from HPV
Answer: B
3. A patient presents with severe hypoxia. Which compensatory response will the body initiate?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased erythropoiesis
C. Increased ATP production
D. Increased red blood cell production
Answer: D
4. Which cellular change is most associated with precancerous conditions?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: D
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
,Page 2 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
5. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the swelling that occurs during acute
inflammation?
A. Increased lymphatic drainage
B. Vasoconstriction of arterioles
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Red blood cell hemolysis
Answer: C
6. The nurse knows that the hallmark signs of inflammation include all EXCEPT:
A. Redness
B. Swelling
C. Numbness
D. Heat
Answer: C
7. A nurse caring for a burn patient knows that fluid shifts are caused by:
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Loss of protein through open wounds
D. Vasoconstriction at the burn site
Answer: C
8. Which lab result would the nurse expect in a patient with chronic inflammation?
A. Decreased white blood cell count
B. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Low erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D. Low neutrophils
Answer: B
9. What is the primary function of mast cells in the immune response?
A. Produce antibodies
B. Present antigens to T cells
C. Release histamine and other mediators
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
,Page 3 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
D. Destroy infected cells
Answer: C
10. Which patient would be at the highest risk for fluid volume excess?
A. A patient with diarrhea
B. A patient receiving IV 0.9% NaCl rapidly
C. A patient with diabetes insipidus
D. A patient with prolonged vomiting
Answer: B
11. The nurse receives a patient with metabolic alkalosis. What is a possible cause?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Chronic diarrhea
C. Prolonged vomiting
D. Respiratory failure
Answer: C
12. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) value represents respiratory alkalosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 28 mm Hg
B. pH 7.35, PaCO₂ 45 mm Hg
C. pH 7.29, HCO₃ 19 mEq/L
D. pH 7.42, HCO₃ 24 mEq/L
Answer: A
13. The nurse is reviewing an ABG with the following values: pH 7.31, PaCO₂ 51, HCO₃ 24.
What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
, Page 4 NCLEX-RN Style Exam PathophysiologyNCLEX-RN
(Ch. 1, 2, 3,Style
4, 7,Exam
8, 9, 19)
Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19) .pdf
14. Which of the following tumors would most likely be classified as benign?
A. Adenocarcinoma
B. Liposarcoma
C. Osteoma
D. Melanoma
Answer: C
15. A client asks what makes cancer cells different. The nurse responds:
A. “They die more quickly than healthy cells.”
B. “They grow in a regulated and limited manner.”
C. “They have uncontrolled growth and abnormal differentiation.”
D. “They do not use energy like normal cells.”
Answer: C
16. A nurse is teaching about cancer warning signs. Which should be included?
A. Loss of appetite after exercise
B. Sudden change in vision during a cold
C. A mole that becomes irregular in shape and color
D. Muscle soreness after weight lifting
Answer: C
17. Which cancer is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus?
A. Cervical cancer
B. Hodgkin lymphoma
C. Lung cancer
D. Prostate cancer
Answer: B
18. What is the purpose of tumor suppressor genes?
A. Promote cell division
B. Trigger angiogenesis
C. Prevent uncontrolled cell growth
-2026 NCLEX-RN Style Exam Pathophysiology (Ch.
NCLEX-RN
1, 2, 3, 4, Style
7, 8, 9,
Exam
19) Pathophysiology (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 19)
