NUR 105 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cellular Pathophysiology and Injury Mechanisms
Immune Responses and Inflammatory Processes
Cardiovascular Disease Pathophysiology
Respiratory System Disorders
Renal and Urinary Tract Pathophysiology
Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Processes
Gastrointestinal System Disorders
Neurological Pathophysiology
Infectious Diseases and Host Responses
Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
,Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses critical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills essential for
understanding disease processes in pathophysiology. The test evaluates foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making capabilities through
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze cellular
mechanisms, immune responses, system-specific pathologies, and integrate clinical information for effective
patient care decisions. The exam emphasizes practical application of pathophysiological concepts to support
evidence-based nursing practice and critical thinking in healthcare environments.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which cellular mechanism is primarily responsible for reversible cell injury when oxygen delivery is
compromised?
A. Membrane pore formation
B. ATP depletion
C. Calcium influx
D. DNA fragmentation
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: ATP depletion is the primary mechanism of reversible cell injury during hypoxia. Without
adequate oxygen, oxidative phosphorylation fails, reducing ATP production. This impairs sodium-potassium
pumps, causing cellular swelling, but damage remains reversible if oxygenation is restored promptly.
,Question 2
A patient presents with fever, elevated CRP, and productive cough. Which immune response component is most
directly responsible for the fever?
A. Interferons
B. Prostaglandins
C. Histamine
D. Complement proteins
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Prostaglandins (particularly PGE2) produced during inflammation act on the hypothalamus
to raise the thermoregulatory set point, causing fever. CRP elevation and fever are classic inflammatory markers
indicating cytokine-mediated prostaglandin synthesis.
Question 3
Which finding best distinguishes compensated respiratory alkalosis from acute respiratory alkalosis?
A. Normal pH with low PCO2
B. Low pH with low PCO2
C. High pH with normal PCO2
D. High pH with low PCO2
🟢 A. Option
, 🔴 RATIONALE: In compensated respiratory alkalosis, renal mechanisms have adjusted bicarbonate levels to
normalize pH despite persistent low PCO2. Acute respiratory alkalosis shows elevated pH with low PCO2
because compensation hasn't occurred yet.
Question 4
A nurse cares for a patient with myocardial infarction. Which pathophysiological change causes the most severe
tissue damage?
A. Platelet aggregation
B. Reperfusion injury
C. Vasospasm
D. Endothelial dilation
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Reperfusion injury causes severe tissue damage when oxygenated blood returns to ischemic
tissue, generating reactive oxygen species that damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. This paradoxically
worsens infarction despite restoring flow.
Question 5
Which statement accurately describes the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency from beta-cell destruction
B. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islets
D. Excessive insulin production causing hypoglycemia
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cellular Pathophysiology and Injury Mechanisms
Immune Responses and Inflammatory Processes
Cardiovascular Disease Pathophysiology
Respiratory System Disorders
Renal and Urinary Tract Pathophysiology
Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Processes
Gastrointestinal System Disorders
Neurological Pathophysiology
Infectious Diseases and Host Responses
Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
,Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses critical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills essential for
understanding disease processes in pathophysiology. The test evaluates foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making capabilities through
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze cellular
mechanisms, immune responses, system-specific pathologies, and integrate clinical information for effective
patient care decisions. The exam emphasizes practical application of pathophysiological concepts to support
evidence-based nursing practice and critical thinking in healthcare environments.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which cellular mechanism is primarily responsible for reversible cell injury when oxygen delivery is
compromised?
A. Membrane pore formation
B. ATP depletion
C. Calcium influx
D. DNA fragmentation
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: ATP depletion is the primary mechanism of reversible cell injury during hypoxia. Without
adequate oxygen, oxidative phosphorylation fails, reducing ATP production. This impairs sodium-potassium
pumps, causing cellular swelling, but damage remains reversible if oxygenation is restored promptly.
,Question 2
A patient presents with fever, elevated CRP, and productive cough. Which immune response component is most
directly responsible for the fever?
A. Interferons
B. Prostaglandins
C. Histamine
D. Complement proteins
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Prostaglandins (particularly PGE2) produced during inflammation act on the hypothalamus
to raise the thermoregulatory set point, causing fever. CRP elevation and fever are classic inflammatory markers
indicating cytokine-mediated prostaglandin synthesis.
Question 3
Which finding best distinguishes compensated respiratory alkalosis from acute respiratory alkalosis?
A. Normal pH with low PCO2
B. Low pH with low PCO2
C. High pH with normal PCO2
D. High pH with low PCO2
🟢 A. Option
, 🔴 RATIONALE: In compensated respiratory alkalosis, renal mechanisms have adjusted bicarbonate levels to
normalize pH despite persistent low PCO2. Acute respiratory alkalosis shows elevated pH with low PCO2
because compensation hasn't occurred yet.
Question 4
A nurse cares for a patient with myocardial infarction. Which pathophysiological change causes the most severe
tissue damage?
A. Platelet aggregation
B. Reperfusion injury
C. Vasospasm
D. Endothelial dilation
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Reperfusion injury causes severe tissue damage when oxygenated blood returns to ischemic
tissue, generating reactive oxygen species that damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. This paradoxically
worsens infarction despite restoring flow.
Question 5
Which statement accurately describes the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency from beta-cell destruction
B. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islets
D. Excessive insulin production causing hypoglycemia
