Pathophysiology- Midterm - Jersey
College Study Guide Questions With
100% Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
Normal Serum Level for Calcium? - Answer 4-5 mEq/L
Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia - Answer Muscle weakness, loss of muscle tone,
lethargy, stupor, with personality changes, anorexia, and nausea.
Polyuria, cardiac contractions increase strength, and dysrhythmias may develop.
Effects on bones vary but there may be a decrease in bone density and spontaneous fractures.
Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia - Answer Muscle twitching, carpopedal spasm,
hyperactive reflexes.
Chvostek's sign spasm of lip when face is tapped. Trouseau's sign carpopedal spasm when b/p
cuff blocks circulation to the hand. laryngospasm.
Heart contractions become WEAK owing to insufficient calcium for muscle action.
Note- hypocalcemia on skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle differ. Skeletal muscle spasm occur
due to irritability of nerves associated w/ muscle fibers. Where as the weaker contraction of
cardiac muscle is directly related to calcium deficit.
Importance of Calcium - Answer Provides the structural strength essential for bones and
teeth.
Calcium ions maintain stability of nerve membranes, controlling the permeability and
excitability needed for nerve conduction.
Calcium ions are required for muscle contractions.
Calcium ions are necessary for many metabolic processes and enzyme reactions such as those
involved in blood clotting.
Idiopathic - Answer Cause of the disease is unknown.
Iatrogenic - Answer Treat, or procedure or an error may cause a disease. Negative effect on
the body caused by medication error or drug overdose or unusual response
inherited - Answer derive genetically forms ones parents or ancestors
prodromal - Answer Period compromises the time in the early development of a disease
when one is aware of a change in the body but the signs are nonspecific for example fatigue,
loss of appetite
,Primary level of prevention - Answer The goal is to protect healthy people from developing a
disease or experiencing an injury in the first place. Example- education about nutrition, proper
seatbelt and helmet use, immunizations, regular exams and screening tests
Secondary level of prevention - Answer Interventions happen after an illness or serious risk
factors have already been diagnosed. goal is to halt or slow progress of disease in its earliest
stages. Example- taking daily, low dose aspirin to prevent a 1st or 2nd stroke. Recommending
exams /screenings for people with known rim factors
Tertiary prevention - Answer Focuses on helping people manage complicated long term
health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Goal
is preventing further physical deterioration. Example- cardiac , stoke, pain management
programs, patient support groups.
Normal Serum Level for Potassium? - Answer 3.8-5 mEq/L
Signs and symptoms for hypokalemia - Answer Cardiac dysrhythmias are serious.
Interferes with neuromuscular function and muscles become less responsive to stimuli. Fatigue
muscle weakness commencing in the legs
Parathesias- such as pins and needles feeling develops.
Polyuria and nocturia. Leg cramps.
Serum ph level elevated - 7.45- alkalosis
Signs and symptom of hyperkalemia - Answer Muscle weakness is common, progressing to
paralysis. Impairs neuromuscular activity.
Fatigue, nausea, parathesias, cardiac arrhythmias, oliguria.
Serum ph level decrease- acidosis- 7.35
First line of defense against infection? - Answer Skin
Signs and Symptoms for CHF - Answer Forward effects- fatigues, weakness, dyspnea, exercise,
intolerance, cold intolerance.tachycardia and pallor, secondary polycythemia daytime oliguria.
Back up effects-
Left side chf- orthopnea, cough producing white or pink tinged phlegm. SOB, rales, paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea, hemoptysis.
Right side CHF- dependent edema in feet, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly,ascites, distended
neck veins, headache flushed face.
,Signs and symptoms of Dehydration - Answer Dry mucous membranes in the mouth.
Decreased skin turgor.
Lower b/p, weak pulse, feeling of fatigue.
Increased hematocrit, indicating a a higher proportion of red blood cells compared w. water in
the blood
Decreased mental function, confusion, loss of consciousness.
Hypersensitivity - Answer Allergic reaction to Rx. May be mild or can result in anaphylaxis. pt
should stope taking Rx immediately and notify physician
Idiosyncratic - Answer Reactions are unexpected or unusual response to drugs. For example,
excessive excitement after taking a sedative. These reactions accur in some elderly individuals,
some reactions are used therapeutically; stimulants for ADHD to reduce distraction and increase
concentration.
Teratogenic - Answer Harmful effects on the fetus, leading to developmental effects have
been associated with some drugs. Best that pregnant woman avoids all drugs
interactions - Answer Occur when a drugs effect is modified by combining it with other drugs,
food, herbal compounds or other material. Interactions commonly occur with nonprescription
drugs such as aspirin, antacids, or herbal compounds.
Advantages and Disadvantages for routes of administration for Rx? - Answer Oral- Advantage-
tablets stable, cost varies, safe. Disadv.- taste and swallowing problems; gastric irritation,
uncertain absorption.
Sublingual- Adv- convenient, rapid action. Disadv.- tablets soft and unstable.
Subcutaneous- Adv- Simplest injection, only small doses can be given. Disadv.- Requires aseptic
and equipment. Can be irritating.
Intramuscular- Adv.- use when pt is unconscious or nauseated. Rapid, prolonged effect. Disadv.-
requires aseptic and equipment. Short self life.
Advantages and disadvantages for routes of Administration for Rx? Continued - Answer
Intravenous- Advantage- Immediate effect, predictable drug level. Use when pt is unconscious.
Disadvan.- Costly, skill required. No recovery of drug. Irritation to site.
Inhalation- Advantage- local effect or absorb into alveolar capillaries. Rapid effect. Good for
anesthesia. Disadvan.- requires effective technique.
Topical- Advantage- easy to apply. Few systemic effects. Useful local anesthetic. Disadvan.- can
be messy. Sometimes difficult application.
Inraperitoneal pump- advantage- immediate onset. Disadvantage- costly and may become
infected.
, Over the counter drugs - Answer Drugs available w/out prescription. These are considered
safe for open sale. Make sure when getting medication history you ask pt about OTC drugs. To
prevent possible complications it is recommended that a health care professional AVOID giving
pt any OTC drugs unless physician says to.
Lab values you will see with infection? - Answer Elevated leukocytes or leukocytosis (norm-
4500-10500/mm3) for bacterial infection. For viral infection it will cause leukopenia (decrease in
leukocytes). Neutrophils tend to increase with acute infections (norm 2000-7500 /mm3). But
lymphocytes (norm 2000- 4000/mm3) and monotypes ( norm- 500- 1000 mm3) increase with
chronic infection.
Local and systemic signs of infection - Answer Local- Swelling, Erythema (redness), pain and
tenderness, lymphadenopathy, educate, purulent. Systemic- fever, leukocytosis, elevated ESR,
fatigue, weakness, anorexia, headache, arthralgia.
What things regulate fluid movement? - Answer Hypothalamus, osmoreceptor cells,
antidiurtic hormone (ADH), aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).
Fluid is moved through compartments by use of osmosis and filtration. Water moves between
membranes depending on the relative hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.
Adverse effect to glucocorticoids? - Answer Atrophy of lymphoid tissue and reduced #'s of
WBC's leading to an increase risk of infection and decreased immune response. Catatonic
effects- increased tissue break down w/ decreased protein synthesis and tissue regeneration,
osteoporosis, muscle wasting and tendency to thinning and breakdown of the skin and mucosa
Delayed healing. Delayed growth in children, retention of sodium and water often leading to
high b/p and edema.
Client teaching for nutrition with wound care? - Answer Make sure protein and vitamin c is
incorporated into diet more
Rules of 9's - Answer The head and each arm is estimates at 9%. Each leg is 18%. The anterior
surface of the trunk is 18%. The posterior of trunk is 18%. The groin area is 1%. Bring total BSA
to 100%
Describing bacteria colonies , how they grow? - Answer Bacteria duplicate by a simple
process called binary fission, a division of the cell to produce 2 daughter cells identical to parent
bacterium.
Bacteria - Answer Bacteria are unicellular organisms that do not require living tissue to
survive.
College Study Guide Questions With
100% Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
Normal Serum Level for Calcium? - Answer 4-5 mEq/L
Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia - Answer Muscle weakness, loss of muscle tone,
lethargy, stupor, with personality changes, anorexia, and nausea.
Polyuria, cardiac contractions increase strength, and dysrhythmias may develop.
Effects on bones vary but there may be a decrease in bone density and spontaneous fractures.
Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia - Answer Muscle twitching, carpopedal spasm,
hyperactive reflexes.
Chvostek's sign spasm of lip when face is tapped. Trouseau's sign carpopedal spasm when b/p
cuff blocks circulation to the hand. laryngospasm.
Heart contractions become WEAK owing to insufficient calcium for muscle action.
Note- hypocalcemia on skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle differ. Skeletal muscle spasm occur
due to irritability of nerves associated w/ muscle fibers. Where as the weaker contraction of
cardiac muscle is directly related to calcium deficit.
Importance of Calcium - Answer Provides the structural strength essential for bones and
teeth.
Calcium ions maintain stability of nerve membranes, controlling the permeability and
excitability needed for nerve conduction.
Calcium ions are required for muscle contractions.
Calcium ions are necessary for many metabolic processes and enzyme reactions such as those
involved in blood clotting.
Idiopathic - Answer Cause of the disease is unknown.
Iatrogenic - Answer Treat, or procedure or an error may cause a disease. Negative effect on
the body caused by medication error or drug overdose or unusual response
inherited - Answer derive genetically forms ones parents or ancestors
prodromal - Answer Period compromises the time in the early development of a disease
when one is aware of a change in the body but the signs are nonspecific for example fatigue,
loss of appetite
,Primary level of prevention - Answer The goal is to protect healthy people from developing a
disease or experiencing an injury in the first place. Example- education about nutrition, proper
seatbelt and helmet use, immunizations, regular exams and screening tests
Secondary level of prevention - Answer Interventions happen after an illness or serious risk
factors have already been diagnosed. goal is to halt or slow progress of disease in its earliest
stages. Example- taking daily, low dose aspirin to prevent a 1st or 2nd stroke. Recommending
exams /screenings for people with known rim factors
Tertiary prevention - Answer Focuses on helping people manage complicated long term
health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Goal
is preventing further physical deterioration. Example- cardiac , stoke, pain management
programs, patient support groups.
Normal Serum Level for Potassium? - Answer 3.8-5 mEq/L
Signs and symptoms for hypokalemia - Answer Cardiac dysrhythmias are serious.
Interferes with neuromuscular function and muscles become less responsive to stimuli. Fatigue
muscle weakness commencing in the legs
Parathesias- such as pins and needles feeling develops.
Polyuria and nocturia. Leg cramps.
Serum ph level elevated - 7.45- alkalosis
Signs and symptom of hyperkalemia - Answer Muscle weakness is common, progressing to
paralysis. Impairs neuromuscular activity.
Fatigue, nausea, parathesias, cardiac arrhythmias, oliguria.
Serum ph level decrease- acidosis- 7.35
First line of defense against infection? - Answer Skin
Signs and Symptoms for CHF - Answer Forward effects- fatigues, weakness, dyspnea, exercise,
intolerance, cold intolerance.tachycardia and pallor, secondary polycythemia daytime oliguria.
Back up effects-
Left side chf- orthopnea, cough producing white or pink tinged phlegm. SOB, rales, paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea, hemoptysis.
Right side CHF- dependent edema in feet, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly,ascites, distended
neck veins, headache flushed face.
,Signs and symptoms of Dehydration - Answer Dry mucous membranes in the mouth.
Decreased skin turgor.
Lower b/p, weak pulse, feeling of fatigue.
Increased hematocrit, indicating a a higher proportion of red blood cells compared w. water in
the blood
Decreased mental function, confusion, loss of consciousness.
Hypersensitivity - Answer Allergic reaction to Rx. May be mild or can result in anaphylaxis. pt
should stope taking Rx immediately and notify physician
Idiosyncratic - Answer Reactions are unexpected or unusual response to drugs. For example,
excessive excitement after taking a sedative. These reactions accur in some elderly individuals,
some reactions are used therapeutically; stimulants for ADHD to reduce distraction and increase
concentration.
Teratogenic - Answer Harmful effects on the fetus, leading to developmental effects have
been associated with some drugs. Best that pregnant woman avoids all drugs
interactions - Answer Occur when a drugs effect is modified by combining it with other drugs,
food, herbal compounds or other material. Interactions commonly occur with nonprescription
drugs such as aspirin, antacids, or herbal compounds.
Advantages and Disadvantages for routes of administration for Rx? - Answer Oral- Advantage-
tablets stable, cost varies, safe. Disadv.- taste and swallowing problems; gastric irritation,
uncertain absorption.
Sublingual- Adv- convenient, rapid action. Disadv.- tablets soft and unstable.
Subcutaneous- Adv- Simplest injection, only small doses can be given. Disadv.- Requires aseptic
and equipment. Can be irritating.
Intramuscular- Adv.- use when pt is unconscious or nauseated. Rapid, prolonged effect. Disadv.-
requires aseptic and equipment. Short self life.
Advantages and disadvantages for routes of Administration for Rx? Continued - Answer
Intravenous- Advantage- Immediate effect, predictable drug level. Use when pt is unconscious.
Disadvan.- Costly, skill required. No recovery of drug. Irritation to site.
Inhalation- Advantage- local effect or absorb into alveolar capillaries. Rapid effect. Good for
anesthesia. Disadvan.- requires effective technique.
Topical- Advantage- easy to apply. Few systemic effects. Useful local anesthetic. Disadvan.- can
be messy. Sometimes difficult application.
Inraperitoneal pump- advantage- immediate onset. Disadvantage- costly and may become
infected.
, Over the counter drugs - Answer Drugs available w/out prescription. These are considered
safe for open sale. Make sure when getting medication history you ask pt about OTC drugs. To
prevent possible complications it is recommended that a health care professional AVOID giving
pt any OTC drugs unless physician says to.
Lab values you will see with infection? - Answer Elevated leukocytes or leukocytosis (norm-
4500-10500/mm3) for bacterial infection. For viral infection it will cause leukopenia (decrease in
leukocytes). Neutrophils tend to increase with acute infections (norm 2000-7500 /mm3). But
lymphocytes (norm 2000- 4000/mm3) and monotypes ( norm- 500- 1000 mm3) increase with
chronic infection.
Local and systemic signs of infection - Answer Local- Swelling, Erythema (redness), pain and
tenderness, lymphadenopathy, educate, purulent. Systemic- fever, leukocytosis, elevated ESR,
fatigue, weakness, anorexia, headache, arthralgia.
What things regulate fluid movement? - Answer Hypothalamus, osmoreceptor cells,
antidiurtic hormone (ADH), aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).
Fluid is moved through compartments by use of osmosis and filtration. Water moves between
membranes depending on the relative hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.
Adverse effect to glucocorticoids? - Answer Atrophy of lymphoid tissue and reduced #'s of
WBC's leading to an increase risk of infection and decreased immune response. Catatonic
effects- increased tissue break down w/ decreased protein synthesis and tissue regeneration,
osteoporosis, muscle wasting and tendency to thinning and breakdown of the skin and mucosa
Delayed healing. Delayed growth in children, retention of sodium and water often leading to
high b/p and edema.
Client teaching for nutrition with wound care? - Answer Make sure protein and vitamin c is
incorporated into diet more
Rules of 9's - Answer The head and each arm is estimates at 9%. Each leg is 18%. The anterior
surface of the trunk is 18%. The posterior of trunk is 18%. The groin area is 1%. Bring total BSA
to 100%
Describing bacteria colonies , how they grow? - Answer Bacteria duplicate by a simple
process called binary fission, a division of the cell to produce 2 daughter cells identical to parent
bacterium.
Bacteria - Answer Bacteria are unicellular organisms that do not require living tissue to
survive.
