NURS 316A Exam 1 2025 LATEST WITH
KEY Concepts Pathophysiology and
Pharmacology for Accelerated BSN
Students I ALREADY GRADED A+ CSUSM
Question 1: Which of the following correctly defines the pharmacokinetic process
of absorption?
A) The transport of drugs to tissues, organs, and specific sites of action
B) The removal of the drug from the body, usually through the kidneys
C) The passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of
administration
D) The biotransformation or chemical alteration of a drug in the body
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Absorption is defined as the passage of medication molecules into the
blood from the site of administration . Distribution refers to the transport of drugs
to tissues and organs after absorption . Metabolism is the biotransformation or
chemical alteration of the drug in the body, typically in the liver . Excretion is the
removal of the drug from the body, most commonly through the kidneys .
Question 2: A patient with sleep apnea is most likely to develop which acid-base
imbalance?
,A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Sleep apnea causes hypoventilation, which leads to CO₂ retention in the
body . When CO₂ is retained, it forms carbonic acid, making the body more acidic.
This results in respiratory acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with
hyperventilation where too much CO₂ is exhaled . Metabolic imbalances involve
the kidneys and bicarbonate levels rather than respiratory function.
Question 3: A patient experiencing a panic attack with hyperventilation is at risk
for which acid-base imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: During hyperventilation, the patient breathes out excessive CO₂ . Less
CO₂ in the body means less carbonic acid, resulting in more base in the body and
causing respiratory alkalosis . This is the opposite of respiratory acidosis, which
involves CO₂ retention. Metabolic disorders involve the kidneys or gastrointestinal
system rather than respiratory function.
,Question 4: Insulin is the primary treatment for which type of acidosis?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory alkalosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Insulin is used to treat metabolic acidosis, specifically in the context of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) . In DKA, the body cannot use glucose for energy, so
it breaks down fats, producing ketones (acids). Insulin administration allows
glucose to enter cells, halting ketone production and correcting the acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis is treated with bronchodilators .
Question 5: The anion gap is used in clinical practice to:
A) Determine oxygen saturation levels
B) Differentiate causes of metabolic acidosis
C) Measure carbon dioxide retention
D) Assess renal filtration rate
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The anion gap helps differentiate the cause of metabolic acidosis, such
as distinguishing between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), lactic acidosis, renal
failure, and gastrointestinal fluid losses . It is not used for oxygen saturation
(measured by pulse oximetry) , carbon dioxide retention (measured by PaCO₂), or
renal filtration rate.
, Question 6: Which of the following is the most important objective data when
determining if a patient is hypoxic?
A) Pulse oximetry
B) Chest x-ray
C) Arterial blood gases (ABGs)
D) Pulmonary function tests
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are the most important objective data for
determining hypoxia and evaluating oxygenation and ventilation . Pulse oximetry
(SaO₂) provides a non-invasive estimate but is less definitive . Pulmonary function
tests assess lung capacities, not immediate oxygenation status . Chest x-rays show
structural changes rather than oxygenation status.
Question 7: A patient with renal failure is most likely to develop which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: In renal failure, the kidneys cannot effectively filter out hydrogen ions
(H⁺), leading to H⁺ retention in the body and causing metabolic acidosis . The
kidneys normally excrete acids and regulate bicarbonate levels. When they fail,
acids accumulate. Respiratory imbalances are related to lung function, not kidney
function.
KEY Concepts Pathophysiology and
Pharmacology for Accelerated BSN
Students I ALREADY GRADED A+ CSUSM
Question 1: Which of the following correctly defines the pharmacokinetic process
of absorption?
A) The transport of drugs to tissues, organs, and specific sites of action
B) The removal of the drug from the body, usually through the kidneys
C) The passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of
administration
D) The biotransformation or chemical alteration of a drug in the body
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Absorption is defined as the passage of medication molecules into the
blood from the site of administration . Distribution refers to the transport of drugs
to tissues and organs after absorption . Metabolism is the biotransformation or
chemical alteration of the drug in the body, typically in the liver . Excretion is the
removal of the drug from the body, most commonly through the kidneys .
Question 2: A patient with sleep apnea is most likely to develop which acid-base
imbalance?
,A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic acidosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Sleep apnea causes hypoventilation, which leads to CO₂ retention in the
body . When CO₂ is retained, it forms carbonic acid, making the body more acidic.
This results in respiratory acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with
hyperventilation where too much CO₂ is exhaled . Metabolic imbalances involve
the kidneys and bicarbonate levels rather than respiratory function.
Question 3: A patient experiencing a panic attack with hyperventilation is at risk
for which acid-base imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: During hyperventilation, the patient breathes out excessive CO₂ . Less
CO₂ in the body means less carbonic acid, resulting in more base in the body and
causing respiratory alkalosis . This is the opposite of respiratory acidosis, which
involves CO₂ retention. Metabolic disorders involve the kidneys or gastrointestinal
system rather than respiratory function.
,Question 4: Insulin is the primary treatment for which type of acidosis?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory alkalosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Insulin is used to treat metabolic acidosis, specifically in the context of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) . In DKA, the body cannot use glucose for energy, so
it breaks down fats, producing ketones (acids). Insulin administration allows
glucose to enter cells, halting ketone production and correcting the acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis is treated with bronchodilators .
Question 5: The anion gap is used in clinical practice to:
A) Determine oxygen saturation levels
B) Differentiate causes of metabolic acidosis
C) Measure carbon dioxide retention
D) Assess renal filtration rate
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The anion gap helps differentiate the cause of metabolic acidosis, such
as distinguishing between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), lactic acidosis, renal
failure, and gastrointestinal fluid losses . It is not used for oxygen saturation
(measured by pulse oximetry) , carbon dioxide retention (measured by PaCO₂), or
renal filtration rate.
, Question 6: Which of the following is the most important objective data when
determining if a patient is hypoxic?
A) Pulse oximetry
B) Chest x-ray
C) Arterial blood gases (ABGs)
D) Pulmonary function tests
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are the most important objective data for
determining hypoxia and evaluating oxygenation and ventilation . Pulse oximetry
(SaO₂) provides a non-invasive estimate but is less definitive . Pulmonary function
tests assess lung capacities, not immediate oxygenation status . Chest x-rays show
structural changes rather than oxygenation status.
Question 7: A patient with renal failure is most likely to develop which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: In renal failure, the kidneys cannot effectively filter out hydrogen ions
(H⁺), leading to H⁺ retention in the body and causing metabolic acidosis . The
kidneys normally excrete acids and regulate bicarbonate levels. When they fail,
acids accumulate. Respiratory imbalances are related to lung function, not kidney
function.
