Walden University NURS-6501: Advanced
Pathophysiology – Midterm (150+ Questions)
And Answers With Rationals
COURSE OVERVIEW & CORE COMPETENCIES
NURS-6501 Advanced Pathophysiology equips advanced
practice nurses with an in-depth understanding of
pathophysiological disease processes across the lifespan.
The midterm exam typically covers foundational concepts
of cellular pathophysiology, genetics, immunology,
inflammation, and disorders of major organ systems.
Core Domains for the Midterm Exam:
• Cellular Biology and Membrane Function
• Genetics and Chromosomal Disorders
• Immune System and Inflammation
• Infectious Disease Pathogenesis
• Cancer Biology and Neoplasia
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Endocrine Pathophysiology
, • Cardiovascular System Disorders
• Respiratory, Renal, and Neurological Pathology
PART 1: CELLULAR BIOLOGY & MEMBRANE FUNCTION
(Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for
muscle energy. Which of the following will facilitate
continued muscle performance?
• A) Aerobic glycolysis
• B) Anaerobic glycolysis
• C) Oxidative phosphorylation
• D) Krebs cycle
• Answer: B
• Rationale: When oxygen is depleted, cells shift to
anaerobic glycolysis to produce ATP. This process
does not require oxygen and allows continued
muscle contraction, though it produces lactic acid as
a byproduct.
,Question 2
What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane
potential that initiates an action potential?
• A) Potassium gates open, and potassium rushes out
of the cell
• B) Sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the
cell
• C) Calcium gates open, and calcium enters the cell
• D) Chloride gates open, and chloride enters the cell
• Answer: B
• Rationale: An action potential is initiated when
voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing
sodium to rapidly enter the cell. This influx changes
the membrane potential from negative to positive
(depolarization).
Question 3
How are potassium and sodium transported across
plasma membranes?
, • A) By simple diffusion
• B) By facilitated diffusion
• C) By adenosine triphosphate enzyme (ATPase)
• D) By osmosis
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Sodium and potassium are transported
across plasma membranes by the sodium-potassium
ATPase pump, which actively transports three
sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions
into the cell against their concentration gradients,
using ATP.
Question 4
The nurse would be correct in identifying the
predominant extracellular cation as:
• A) Potassium
• B) Calcium
• C) Sodium
• D) Magnesium
Pathophysiology – Midterm (150+ Questions)
And Answers With Rationals
COURSE OVERVIEW & CORE COMPETENCIES
NURS-6501 Advanced Pathophysiology equips advanced
practice nurses with an in-depth understanding of
pathophysiological disease processes across the lifespan.
The midterm exam typically covers foundational concepts
of cellular pathophysiology, genetics, immunology,
inflammation, and disorders of major organ systems.
Core Domains for the Midterm Exam:
• Cellular Biology and Membrane Function
• Genetics and Chromosomal Disorders
• Immune System and Inflammation
• Infectious Disease Pathogenesis
• Cancer Biology and Neoplasia
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Endocrine Pathophysiology
, • Cardiovascular System Disorders
• Respiratory, Renal, and Neurological Pathology
PART 1: CELLULAR BIOLOGY & MEMBRANE FUNCTION
(Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for
muscle energy. Which of the following will facilitate
continued muscle performance?
• A) Aerobic glycolysis
• B) Anaerobic glycolysis
• C) Oxidative phosphorylation
• D) Krebs cycle
• Answer: B
• Rationale: When oxygen is depleted, cells shift to
anaerobic glycolysis to produce ATP. This process
does not require oxygen and allows continued
muscle contraction, though it produces lactic acid as
a byproduct.
,Question 2
What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane
potential that initiates an action potential?
• A) Potassium gates open, and potassium rushes out
of the cell
• B) Sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the
cell
• C) Calcium gates open, and calcium enters the cell
• D) Chloride gates open, and chloride enters the cell
• Answer: B
• Rationale: An action potential is initiated when
voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing
sodium to rapidly enter the cell. This influx changes
the membrane potential from negative to positive
(depolarization).
Question 3
How are potassium and sodium transported across
plasma membranes?
, • A) By simple diffusion
• B) By facilitated diffusion
• C) By adenosine triphosphate enzyme (ATPase)
• D) By osmosis
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Sodium and potassium are transported
across plasma membranes by the sodium-potassium
ATPase pump, which actively transports three
sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions
into the cell against their concentration gradients,
using ATP.
Question 4
The nurse would be correct in identifying the
predominant extracellular cation as:
• A) Potassium
• B) Calcium
• C) Sodium
• D) Magnesium
