NURS 5140 Pathophysiology Complete Questions and Accurate Verified Answers Final Exam Review 2026

NURS 5140 Pathophysiology Complete Questions and Accurate Verified Answers Final Exam Review 2026 While viewing the electrocardiogram, the nurse recalls the _____ conducts action potentials down the atrioventricular septum. - Correct Answer-Bundle of His Which of the following patient would be most prone to metabolic acidosis? A patient with: - Correct Answer-Diabetes whose glucoses are uncontrolled A 76-year-old patient had the following arterial blood gas sample after his stomach surgery in which his gastric content and fluid were removed: pH 7.55, PCO2 50, HCO3 35. What acidbase imbalance is most likely in this patient? - Correct Answer-Metabolic alkalosis, compensating A 50-year-old male visits the cardiologist for an EKG. Results indicate that he has no PR interval and a variable QRS rate with rhythm irregularity. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis to be recorded on the chart? - Correct Answer-Atrial fibrillation A 65-year-old male is transported to the ER for chest pain. An electrocardiogram reveals a prolonged QRS interval. What is the nurse monitoring when the nurse observes the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram? The QRS complex reflects: - Correct Answer-Ventricular activity Which is one of the acid/base conditions that would cause the nurse to monitor for hyperkalemia? - Correct Answer-metabolic acidosis A 20-year-old male is in acute pain with restlessness and anxiety. An arterial blood gas reveals decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Which of the following does the nurse suspect is the most likely cause? - Correct Answer-hyperventilation A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be referred to as: - Correct Answer-Pathologic hyperplasia NURS 5140 NURS 5140 A 34-year-old was diagnosed with malignant tumor (cancer). The nurse teaches the patient about malignant cells. Which of the following is most appropriate explanation when describing malignant cells? - Correct Answer-Malignant cells are dysplastic cells and are irreversible A characteristic of a malignant tumor includes that it: - Correct Answer-can spread far from the tissue of origin A 25-year-old male develops cancer of the breast glandular tissue. What type of cancer does he have? - Correct Answer-adenocarcinoma When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will: - Correct Answer-Increase in size The term apoptosis is appropriately defined as: - Correct Answer-programmed cell death A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred. A nurse recalls that muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle cell - Correct Answer-size A nursing student is studying about cancer and the associated risks for cancer. The instructor knows the student understands cancer when which of the following are associated risks for cancer? - Correct Answer--Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -hepatitis C virus (HCV) -hepatitis B virus (HBV) -human papillomavirus (HPV) A primary care provider is attempting to diagnose cancer and is looking for a tumor marker. Which of the following could be a possible marker? - Correct Answer-Enzymes A 30-year-old homeless was seen in the emergency room with productive cough of bloodtinged sputum. His chest x-ray showed granulomatous disease. Upon further questioning, he was found to have had tuberculosis (TB) in distant past. TB infections are likely to result in which of the following forms of necrosis? - Correct Answer-caseous When discussing body fluid, it is correct to state that: - Correct Answer-Two-thirds of the body's water is intracellular. NURS 5140 NURS 5140 Rationale: One-third is extracellular. There are two components of the extracellular compartment: interstitial and intravascular. Total body water is about 60% of body weight. Which of the following statements is TRUE? When discussing body fluid movement, it is correct to state that: A) Potassium is the most abundant extracellular fluid (ECF) ion. B) Sodium maintains the osmotic balance of the intracellular fluid (ICF) space. C) Water moves freely across membranes. D) Aquaporins block water movement across the membrane. - Correct Answer-C) Water moves freely across the capillary or cell membrane. Rationale: Aquaporins are a family of water channel proteins that provide permeability to water at the capillary membrane. Sodium is the major ECF cation, and potassium is the major ICF cation; this is due to the sodium-potassium pump. When discussing aldosterone, it is correct to state that: - Correct Answer-It is a hormone that is secreted when sodium levels are depressed. Rationale: Aldosterone is a minerocorticoid secreted from the adrenal gland that is located on the kidney. Aldosterone is secreted when potassium is increased or sodium is decreased. Therefore, it makes sense that aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption to increase a depleted supply. It also increases potassium secretion. When discussing hyperchloremia (elevated serum chlorine), it is correct to state that it: - Correct Answer-Is a result of an underlying disorder. Rationale: Hyperchloremia is usually related to an underlying disorder, and therefore, treatment is centered on the underlying disorder. It usually occurs with an increase in sodium and a deficit of bicarbonate. There are normally no specific symptoms associated with this syndrome. When discussing hyponatremia (low serum sodium), it is correct to state that it is generally: - Correct Answer-An outcome of serious burns, vomiting, or diarrhea. Rationale: Hyponatremia occurs when the serum sodium drops below 135 mEq/L. It can occur due to burns, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal suctioning. It can also occur with an increase in TBW. Inadequate sodium intake can cause hyponatremia, but it is uncommon. Which of the following is a TRUE statement regarding hyperkalemia (elevated serum potassium)? - Correct Answer-It often occurs in acidosis. Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) often occurs with acidosis. During acidosis, hydrogen is taken up in the cell. When this occurs, it is exchanged for potassium and NURS 5140 NURS 5140 serum potassium rises. Dietary excesses are uncommon. An increase in aldosterone would cause hypokalemia, rather than hyperkalemia, because aldosterone increases Na+ reabsorption while increasing K+ secretion into the renal tubule. A patient has deep and rapid respirations. Laboratory tests reveal decreased pH and bicarbonate. This patient is experiencing: - Correct Answer-metabolic acidosis. Rationale: A decrease in pH and bicarbonate occur with metabolic acidosis. Additionally, metabolic acidosis causes deep and rapid breathing, as the body tries to compensate by removing carbon dioxide. Metabolic alkalosis occurs if pH and bicarbonate levels are elevated. Respiratory acidosis occurs when pH is decreased and carbon dioxide is elevated, whereas respiratory alkalosis occurs when pH is elevated and carbon dioxide is decreased. A common cause of the increased filtration of fluid from capillaries and lymph into surrounding tissues (edema) includes: Select all that apply. A) Increased hydrostatic pressure. B) Decreased plasma oncotic pressure. C) Increased capillary membrane permeability. D) Lymphatic obstruction. E) Increased barometric pressure. - Correct Answer-A,B,C,&D Rationale: There are four common causes of increased edema: increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased plasma oncotic pressure, increased capillary membrane permeability, and lymphatic obstruction. Barometric pressure (Atmospheric pressure) is the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the Earth's atmosphere When discussing causes of hypernatremia (elevated serum sodium), it is correct to include: Select all that apply. A) Excessive free water intake. B) Inappropriate administration of hypertonic saline solution. C) Oversecretion of the hormone aldosterone. D) Cushing syndrome. E) Ingesting large amounts of dietary sodium. - Correct Answer-B,C,&D High sodium can be caused by inappropriate administration of hypertonic saline (sodium bicarbonate in cardiac arrest), oversecretion of aldosterone, and Cushing syndrome (increased secretion of ACTH). An excessive free water intake will actually cause hyponatremia, or low sodium, due to sodium dilution in the blood. High amounts of dietary sodium rarely cause hypernatremia When discussing common clinical manifestations of hypokalemia (low serum potassium), it is correct to state that: Select all that apply. A) carbohydrate metabolism is affected due to decreased insulin secretion. B) renal function is impaired. NURS 5140 NURS 5140 C) neuromuscular excitability is decreased. D) skeletal muscle contractility is increased. E) smooth muscle tone is increased. - Correct Answer-A, B, & C Rationale: Carbohydrate metabolism is affected secondary to decreased insulin secretion. Renal function may be impaired, and renal tubular atrophy and fibrosis may occur. Skeletal muscle will be weak, as neuromuscular excitability is decreased. Loss of smooth muscle tone is manifested by constipation, intestinal distention, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and paralytic ileus (paralysis of the intestinal muscles) Water moves between the intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid compartments principally by - Correct Answer-Osmosis Buffers are substances that can absorb excessive acid or base without a significant change in what - Correct Answer-pH Metabolic acidosis is caused by - Correct Answer-an increase in noncarbonic acids or loss of bicarbonate from the extracellular fluid. Metabolic alkalosis occurs with an increase in bicarbonate usually caused by loss of metabolic acids from conditions such as - Correct Answer-vomiting or gastrointestinal suctioning or from excessive bicarbonate intake, hyperaldosteronism, and diuretic therapy, which increase plasma bicarbonate. Respiratory acidosis occurs with a - Correct Answer-decrease in alveolar ventilation, which in turn causes hypercapnia and increases in carbonic acid concentration. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with - Correct Answer-alveolar hyperventilation and excessive reduction of carbon dioxide, or hypocapnia with decreases in carbonic acid. Hypercalcemia can be caused by a number of diseases, including - Correct Answer hyperparathyroidism, bone metastases, sarcoidosis, and excess vitamin D. Hypocalcemia is related to - Correct Answer-inadequate intestinal absorption, deposition of calcium into bone or soft tissue, blood administration, or decreased parathyroid hormone and vitamin D levels. 1 liter of water is equal to how many pounds(lbs)? - Correct Answer-2.2lbs Total Water Weight is - Correct Answer-42L x 2.2lbs = 92.4 lbs [1/3 (33%) ECF & 2/3 (66%) ICF] Pernicious anemia is also called - Correct Answer-Vitamin B12 Deficiency NURS 5140 NURS 5140 Pernicious anemia is due to - Correct Answer-loss of parietal cells in the stomach (gastric mucosa). Parietal cells are needed to produce the intrinsic factors that are needed to absorb - Correct Answer-Dietary B12 True or False: Our body makes B12 - Correct Answer-FALSE Our Body does NOT make B12! Individuals who would be at risk for B12 deficiency include - Correct Answer-Anyone with stomach / GI issues MCV and MCH/MCHC - MCV(mean corpuscular volume) that determines the - Correct Answer-Size (In regards to MCV) If there is more volume, the the size will be - Correct Answer-Bigger (And vice versa) MCH/MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) Looks at - Correct Answer-looks at the same characteristic of the RBCs - the color. (In regards to MCH/MCHC) The higher the number means - Correct Answer-The more color (red) (And vice versa) Remember anemia is the alteration of __ carrying capacity - Correct Answer-O2 (Oxygen) PICA - consuming nonnutrient items (e.g., clay, dirt, ice, wood, etc) usually due to the body telling itself it is lacking something. Very common among those with - Correct Answer-Iron (Fe) deficiency anemia (IDA). Remember that Fe (iron) is what causes the ___ ____ of the RBCs. - Correct Answer Red Color In regards to Fe anemia, If it is pale, then part of the problem is - Correct Answer-is not enough Fe. Additionally, the RBCs will be smaller than usual. Direct effects of anti-bodies include: (Select All That Apply) A) Neutralization B) Agglutination C) Precipitation D) Phagocytosis NURS 5140 NURS 5140 E) Division - Correct Answer-A, B, C (Neutralization, Agglutination, and Precipitation) Rationale: Directly, antibodies can affect infectious agents or their toxic products by neutralization (inactivating or blocking the binding of antigen to receptors), agglutination (clumping insoluble particles that are in suspension), or precipitation (making a soluble antigen into an insoluble precipitate). Indirectly, antibodies activate components of innate resistance, including complement and phagocytes. Antibodies are generally a mixed population of classes, specificities, and capacity to provide the functions listed above. List the WBC's - Correct Answer-Neutrophil Eosinophil Basophil Monocyte Leukocyte Vein that drains coronary circulation into the right atrium - Correct Answer-Coronary Sinus Renin directly activates - Correct Answer-Angiotensin The diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is made when which of the following conditions are present? - Correct Answer-Increased ADH level and low serum osmolality. Rationale: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone occurs when there are increased levels of antidiuretic hormone in the blood compared with a low serum osmolality. Decreased urine osmolality is a sign of: - Correct Answer-Diabetes Insipidus (DI) The patient weighed 62 kilograms on admission yesterday. Today, the patient weighs 60 kilograms. The nurse knows this reflects a fluid loss of: - Correct Answer-2 liters (1L of fluid=1kg of body weight) When preparing the patient for a serum ADH level, the nurse must withhold: - Correct Answer-Phenytoin & Glucocorticoids Rationale: Phenytoin decreases ADH levels and glucocorticoids increase ADH levels. The nurse knows that a serum osmolality of 378 mOsm/kg indicates a patient who is: - Correct Answer-Dehydrated