NSG 520 – Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
Assessment 1 Solved 100%
Question 1
A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with anemia. Which of the following best
explains the pathophysiology?
A. Decreased iron absorption in the gut
B. Reduced erythropoietin production by the kidneys
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell
production. In chronic kidney disease, reduced erythropoietin leads to anemia.
Question 2
Which drug class is most appropriate for reducing afterload in a patient with heart
failure?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Loop diuretics
D. Digoxin
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload by blocking angiotensin II formation,
decreasing vasoconstriction and improving cardiac output.
Question 3
A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary mechanism of action?
A. Blocks muscarinic receptors
B. Stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors
C. Inhibits leukotriene synthesis
D. Suppresses histamine release
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth
muscle, leading to bronchodilation.
Question 4
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient taking loop diuretics?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase renal excretion of potassium, leading to hypokalemia.
Question 5
,A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which of the following is the
primary pharmacological effect?
A. Stimulates insulin secretion from beta cells
B. Increases glucose uptake in muscle and fat
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production
D. Delays carbohydrate absorption in the intestine
Rationale: Metformin primarily reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis, lowering blood
glucose levels without stimulating insulin secretion.
Question 6
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops respiratory
acidosis. Which of the following explains the underlying mechanism?
A. Excess bicarbonate retention
B. Hypoventilation leading to CO₂ retention
C. Hyperventilation causing CO₂ loss
D. Increased renal acid secretion
Rationale: COPD patients often hypoventilate, leading to CO₂ accumulation in the
blood, which lowers pH and causes respiratory acidosis.
Question 7
Which of the following medications is most effective in preventing platelet aggregation
after myocardial infarction?
A. Warfarin
B. Aspirin
C. Heparin
D. Clopidogrel
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase, reducing thromboxane A₂
production and preventing platelet aggregation.
Question 8
A patient presents with hyperthyroidism. Which clinical finding is most consistent with
this condition?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic rate, leading to heat intolerance, weight
loss, tachycardia, and diarrhea.
Question 9
Which antibiotic class is contraindicated in children due to risk of permanent tooth
discoloration?
, A. Penicillins
B. Cephalosporins
C. Tetracyclines
D. Macrolides
Rationale: Tetracyclines bind to calcium in developing teeth and bones, causing
permanent discoloration and growth issues.
Question 10
A patient with liver cirrhosis develops ascites. Which pathophysiological mechanism
contributes most to this condition?
A. Increased renal sodium excretion
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased lymphatic drainage
D. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Cirrhosis reduces albumin synthesis, lowering plasma oncotic pressure and
allowing fluid to accumulate in the peritoneal cavity.
Question 11
A patient with Addison’s disease is most likely to present with:
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency) causes increased ACTH, which
stimulates melanocytes, leading to hyperpigmentation.
Question 12
Which medication is first-line for treating hypertension in diabetic patients with
proteinuria?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors protect renal function by reducing intraglomerular pressure
and slowing progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Question 13
A patient with pneumonia develops hypoxemia. Which mechanism best explains this?
A. Increased alveolar ventilation
B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C. Decreased oxygen demand
D. Increased diffusion capacity
Assessment 1 Solved 100%
Question 1
A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with anemia. Which of the following best
explains the pathophysiology?
A. Decreased iron absorption in the gut
B. Reduced erythropoietin production by the kidneys
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell
production. In chronic kidney disease, reduced erythropoietin leads to anemia.
Question 2
Which drug class is most appropriate for reducing afterload in a patient with heart
failure?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Loop diuretics
D. Digoxin
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload by blocking angiotensin II formation,
decreasing vasoconstriction and improving cardiac output.
Question 3
A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary mechanism of action?
A. Blocks muscarinic receptors
B. Stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors
C. Inhibits leukotriene synthesis
D. Suppresses histamine release
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth
muscle, leading to bronchodilation.
Question 4
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient taking loop diuretics?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase renal excretion of potassium, leading to hypokalemia.
Question 5
,A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which of the following is the
primary pharmacological effect?
A. Stimulates insulin secretion from beta cells
B. Increases glucose uptake in muscle and fat
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production
D. Delays carbohydrate absorption in the intestine
Rationale: Metformin primarily reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis, lowering blood
glucose levels without stimulating insulin secretion.
Question 6
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops respiratory
acidosis. Which of the following explains the underlying mechanism?
A. Excess bicarbonate retention
B. Hypoventilation leading to CO₂ retention
C. Hyperventilation causing CO₂ loss
D. Increased renal acid secretion
Rationale: COPD patients often hypoventilate, leading to CO₂ accumulation in the
blood, which lowers pH and causes respiratory acidosis.
Question 7
Which of the following medications is most effective in preventing platelet aggregation
after myocardial infarction?
A. Warfarin
B. Aspirin
C. Heparin
D. Clopidogrel
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase, reducing thromboxane A₂
production and preventing platelet aggregation.
Question 8
A patient presents with hyperthyroidism. Which clinical finding is most consistent with
this condition?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic rate, leading to heat intolerance, weight
loss, tachycardia, and diarrhea.
Question 9
Which antibiotic class is contraindicated in children due to risk of permanent tooth
discoloration?
, A. Penicillins
B. Cephalosporins
C. Tetracyclines
D. Macrolides
Rationale: Tetracyclines bind to calcium in developing teeth and bones, causing
permanent discoloration and growth issues.
Question 10
A patient with liver cirrhosis develops ascites. Which pathophysiological mechanism
contributes most to this condition?
A. Increased renal sodium excretion
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased lymphatic drainage
D. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Cirrhosis reduces albumin synthesis, lowering plasma oncotic pressure and
allowing fluid to accumulate in the peritoneal cavity.
Question 11
A patient with Addison’s disease is most likely to present with:
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency) causes increased ACTH, which
stimulates melanocytes, leading to hyperpigmentation.
Question 12
Which medication is first-line for treating hypertension in diabetic patients with
proteinuria?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors protect renal function by reducing intraglomerular pressure
and slowing progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Question 13
A patient with pneumonia develops hypoxemia. Which mechanism best explains this?
A. Increased alveolar ventilation
B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C. Decreased oxygen demand
D. Increased diffusion capacity
