NSG 3850 Exams 3 pathophysiology study Guide (2026) |200
practice Question Answers &Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding is most
characteristic of this disorder?
A. Polyuria
B. Smoky or coffee-colored urine
C. Excessive thirst
D. Glycosuria
Answer: B. Smoky or coffee-colored urine
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis causes inflammation of the glomeruli, allowing red blood
cells to leak into the urine, producing a smoky or tea-colored appearance.
Question 2
The nurse understands that edema in nephrotic syndrome primarily results from:
A. Increased hemoglobin levels
B. Loss of serum albumin
C. Elevated calcium levels
D. Increased erythropoietin production
Answer: B. Loss of serum albumin
Rationale: Protein loss through damaged glomeruli decreases plasma oncotic pressure, allowing
fluid to move into the interstitial space and causing edema.
Question 3
Which organism is most commonly associated with acute pyelonephritis?
A. Streptococcus
B. Enterobacter
C. Escherichia coli
D. Staphylococcus aureus
,Answer: C. Escherichia coli
Rationale: E. coli is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections and is the leading
cause of acute pyelonephritis.
Question 4
A client reports severe flank pain radiating toward the groin. The nurse suspects:
A. Cystitis
B. Renal calculi
C. Nephrotic syndrome
D. Acute glomerulonephritis
Answer: B. Renal calculi
Rationale: Movement of kidney stones through the ureter causes intense pain known as renal
colic.
Question 5
Which urinary finding is most indicative of pyelonephritis?
A. Ketones
B. Red blood cell casts
C. White blood cell casts
D. Glucose
Answer: C. White blood cell casts
Rationale: White blood cell casts suggest infection and inflammation within the kidney,
especially pyelonephritis.
Question 6
A client with stress urinary incontinence is most likely to leak urine when:
A. Sleeping
B. Drinking water
,C. Coughing or sneezing
D. Taking antibiotics
Answer: C. Coughing or sneezing
Rationale: Increased intra-abdominal pressure during coughing, sneezing, or laughing causes
urine leakage in stress incontinence.
Question 7
Which laboratory value would the nurse expect in acute kidney injury?
A. Decreased creatinine
B. Increased calcium
C. Increased creatinine
D. Decreased potassium
Answer: C. Increased creatinine
Rationale: Acute kidney injury reduces filtration, causing creatinine and other waste products to
accumulate in the blood.
Question 8
Prerenal acute kidney injury is most commonly caused by:
A. Kidney infection
B. Reduced kidney perfusion
C. Ureter obstruction
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B. Reduced kidney perfusion
Rationale: All prerenal causes share decreased blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in impaired
filtration.
Question 9
Which finding is commonly associated with chronic glomerulonephritis?
, A. Complete recovery in all cases
B. Progression to end-stage renal disease
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Increased GFR
Answer: B. Progression to end-stage renal disease
Rationale: Chronic glomerular damage gradually destroys kidney function and may lead to
ESRD.
Question 10
Adult polycystic kidney disease is best described as:
A. An autoimmune disorder
B. A bacterial infection
C. A genetically transmitted disorder
D. A congenital absence of nephrons
Answer: C. A genetically transmitted disorder
Rationale: Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited condition characterized by multiple fluid-
filled cysts that progressively impair renal function.
Question 11
A client with acute pyelonephritis would most likely present with:
A. Generalized edema
B. Fever and chills
C. Severe hypertension
D. Painless hematuria
Answer: B. Fever and chills
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that commonly causes fever, chills, flank
pain, and urinary symptoms.
If you'd like, I can also provide
Question 12
practice Question Answers &Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding is most
characteristic of this disorder?
A. Polyuria
B. Smoky or coffee-colored urine
C. Excessive thirst
D. Glycosuria
Answer: B. Smoky or coffee-colored urine
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis causes inflammation of the glomeruli, allowing red blood
cells to leak into the urine, producing a smoky or tea-colored appearance.
Question 2
The nurse understands that edema in nephrotic syndrome primarily results from:
A. Increased hemoglobin levels
B. Loss of serum albumin
C. Elevated calcium levels
D. Increased erythropoietin production
Answer: B. Loss of serum albumin
Rationale: Protein loss through damaged glomeruli decreases plasma oncotic pressure, allowing
fluid to move into the interstitial space and causing edema.
Question 3
Which organism is most commonly associated with acute pyelonephritis?
A. Streptococcus
B. Enterobacter
C. Escherichia coli
D. Staphylococcus aureus
,Answer: C. Escherichia coli
Rationale: E. coli is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections and is the leading
cause of acute pyelonephritis.
Question 4
A client reports severe flank pain radiating toward the groin. The nurse suspects:
A. Cystitis
B. Renal calculi
C. Nephrotic syndrome
D. Acute glomerulonephritis
Answer: B. Renal calculi
Rationale: Movement of kidney stones through the ureter causes intense pain known as renal
colic.
Question 5
Which urinary finding is most indicative of pyelonephritis?
A. Ketones
B. Red blood cell casts
C. White blood cell casts
D. Glucose
Answer: C. White blood cell casts
Rationale: White blood cell casts suggest infection and inflammation within the kidney,
especially pyelonephritis.
Question 6
A client with stress urinary incontinence is most likely to leak urine when:
A. Sleeping
B. Drinking water
,C. Coughing or sneezing
D. Taking antibiotics
Answer: C. Coughing or sneezing
Rationale: Increased intra-abdominal pressure during coughing, sneezing, or laughing causes
urine leakage in stress incontinence.
Question 7
Which laboratory value would the nurse expect in acute kidney injury?
A. Decreased creatinine
B. Increased calcium
C. Increased creatinine
D. Decreased potassium
Answer: C. Increased creatinine
Rationale: Acute kidney injury reduces filtration, causing creatinine and other waste products to
accumulate in the blood.
Question 8
Prerenal acute kidney injury is most commonly caused by:
A. Kidney infection
B. Reduced kidney perfusion
C. Ureter obstruction
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B. Reduced kidney perfusion
Rationale: All prerenal causes share decreased blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in impaired
filtration.
Question 9
Which finding is commonly associated with chronic glomerulonephritis?
, A. Complete recovery in all cases
B. Progression to end-stage renal disease
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Increased GFR
Answer: B. Progression to end-stage renal disease
Rationale: Chronic glomerular damage gradually destroys kidney function and may lead to
ESRD.
Question 10
Adult polycystic kidney disease is best described as:
A. An autoimmune disorder
B. A bacterial infection
C. A genetically transmitted disorder
D. A congenital absence of nephrons
Answer: C. A genetically transmitted disorder
Rationale: Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited condition characterized by multiple fluid-
filled cysts that progressively impair renal function.
Question 11
A client with acute pyelonephritis would most likely present with:
A. Generalized edema
B. Fever and chills
C. Severe hypertension
D. Painless hematuria
Answer: B. Fever and chills
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that commonly causes fever, chills, flank
pain, and urinary symptoms.
If you'd like, I can also provide
Question 12
