Chamberlain University NR-283 Pathophysiology Exam 2 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Pathophysiology Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic hypertension who is
experiencing a sudden, severe headache and confusion. Which complication
of hypertension is the patient most likely developing?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Deep vein thrombosis
D) Transient ischemic attack
Correct Answer: Hypertensive crisis
Rationale: Hypertensive crisis (or malignant hypertension) is a severe, rapid
elevation in blood pressure that can cause end-organ damage. Symptoms
include a sudden severe headache, confusion, visual disturbances, and
nausea. Myocardial infarction typically presents with chest pain, and a
transient ischemic attack presents with focal neurological deficits.
2. A patient with primary hypertension asks the nurse about the underlying
cause of the condition. Which of the following is the most accurate response?
A) "The exact cause is unknown, but it is often related to a combination of
genetic and environmental factors."
B) "It is caused by a tumor on the adrenal gland."
C) "It is a direct result of kidney disease."
D) "It is caused by a congenital heart defect."
Correct Answer: "The exact cause is unknown, but it is often related to a
combination of genetic and environmental factors."
,Rationale: Primary (essential) hypertension has no identifiable cause in most
cases. It is a multifactorial condition involving genetic predisposition,
environmental factors like high sodium intake, stress, and obesity. Secondary
hypertension has an identifiable cause, such as renal disease or an adrenal
tumor.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system (RAAS). Which statement accurately describes the role of this system
in blood pressure regulation?
A) "The RAAS system decreases blood pressure by promoting vasodilation."
B) "The RAAS system increases blood pressure by promoting vasoconstriction
and sodium retention."
C) "The RAAS system is only activated during times of fluid overload."
D) "The RAAS system has no effect on blood pressure."
Correct Answer: "The RAAS system increases blood pressure by promoting
vasoconstriction and sodium retention."
Rationale: The RAAS system is a key regulator of blood pressure. When blood
pressure drops, the kidneys release renin, which starts a cascade leading to
the production of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and
stimulates the release of aldosterone, which promotes sodium and water
retention, ultimately increasing blood pressure.
4. A patient with left-sided heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath
and crackles in the lungs. Which pathophysiological mechanism is
responsible for these findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output leading to systemic edema
B) Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation leading to pulmonary
congestion
C) Decreased renal perfusion leading to fluid retention
D) Increased right ventricular pressure leading to jugular venous distention
,Correct Answer: Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation leading to
pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in the left ventricle's inability to
effectively pump blood forward. This causes blood to back up into the left
atrium and then into the pulmonary veins and capillaries, increasing
pulmonary hydrostatic pressure. This leads to pulmonary congestion, which
manifests as shortness of breath and crackles.
5. A patient with right-sided heart failure presents with peripheral edema and
jugular venous distention. Which of the following best explains the
pathophysiology of these findings?
A) Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation
B) Decreased cardiac output leading to poor perfusion
C) Increased pressure in the systemic venous circulation
D) Decreased kidney function leading to fluid retention
Correct Answer: Increased pressure in the systemic venous circulation
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure impairs the right ventricle's ability to
pump blood into the pulmonary circulation, causing blood to back up into the
systemic venous system. This increased venous pressure results in
peripheral edema (fluid leaking into tissues), jugular venous distention, and
hepatomegaly.
6. A nurse is evaluating a patient's hemodynamic status. Which of the
following is the correct formula for calculating cardiac output?
A) Heart rate × Stroke volume
B) Heart rate / Stroke volume
C) Stroke volume / Heart rate
, D) Heart rate × Blood pressure
Correct Answer: Heart rate × Stroke volume
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) is the volume of blood ejected by the heart
per minute. It is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (HR) by the stroke
volume (SV). Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected from the left
ventricle with each contraction.
7. A patient is diagnosed with an elevated afterload. Which of the following
conditions is most likely contributing to this increased resistance?
A) Hypovolemia
B) Hypertension
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypervolemia
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance that the left ventricle must overcome to
eject blood into the aorta. It is primarily determined by systemic vascular
resistance. Hypertension, which involves increased peripheral resistance,
significantly increases afterload. Other factors like aortic stenosis also
increase afterload.
8. A patient is prescribed a vasodilator to treat heart failure. The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A) Increasing cardiac contractility
B) Decreasing preload and afterload
C) Increasing heart rate
D) Promoting sodium retention
2026/2027 | Pathophysiology Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic hypertension who is
experiencing a sudden, severe headache and confusion. Which complication
of hypertension is the patient most likely developing?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Deep vein thrombosis
D) Transient ischemic attack
Correct Answer: Hypertensive crisis
Rationale: Hypertensive crisis (or malignant hypertension) is a severe, rapid
elevation in blood pressure that can cause end-organ damage. Symptoms
include a sudden severe headache, confusion, visual disturbances, and
nausea. Myocardial infarction typically presents with chest pain, and a
transient ischemic attack presents with focal neurological deficits.
2. A patient with primary hypertension asks the nurse about the underlying
cause of the condition. Which of the following is the most accurate response?
A) "The exact cause is unknown, but it is often related to a combination of
genetic and environmental factors."
B) "It is caused by a tumor on the adrenal gland."
C) "It is a direct result of kidney disease."
D) "It is caused by a congenital heart defect."
Correct Answer: "The exact cause is unknown, but it is often related to a
combination of genetic and environmental factors."
,Rationale: Primary (essential) hypertension has no identifiable cause in most
cases. It is a multifactorial condition involving genetic predisposition,
environmental factors like high sodium intake, stress, and obesity. Secondary
hypertension has an identifiable cause, such as renal disease or an adrenal
tumor.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system (RAAS). Which statement accurately describes the role of this system
in blood pressure regulation?
A) "The RAAS system decreases blood pressure by promoting vasodilation."
B) "The RAAS system increases blood pressure by promoting vasoconstriction
and sodium retention."
C) "The RAAS system is only activated during times of fluid overload."
D) "The RAAS system has no effect on blood pressure."
Correct Answer: "The RAAS system increases blood pressure by promoting
vasoconstriction and sodium retention."
Rationale: The RAAS system is a key regulator of blood pressure. When blood
pressure drops, the kidneys release renin, which starts a cascade leading to
the production of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and
stimulates the release of aldosterone, which promotes sodium and water
retention, ultimately increasing blood pressure.
4. A patient with left-sided heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath
and crackles in the lungs. Which pathophysiological mechanism is
responsible for these findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output leading to systemic edema
B) Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation leading to pulmonary
congestion
C) Decreased renal perfusion leading to fluid retention
D) Increased right ventricular pressure leading to jugular venous distention
,Correct Answer: Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation leading to
pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in the left ventricle's inability to
effectively pump blood forward. This causes blood to back up into the left
atrium and then into the pulmonary veins and capillaries, increasing
pulmonary hydrostatic pressure. This leads to pulmonary congestion, which
manifests as shortness of breath and crackles.
5. A patient with right-sided heart failure presents with peripheral edema and
jugular venous distention. Which of the following best explains the
pathophysiology of these findings?
A) Increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation
B) Decreased cardiac output leading to poor perfusion
C) Increased pressure in the systemic venous circulation
D) Decreased kidney function leading to fluid retention
Correct Answer: Increased pressure in the systemic venous circulation
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure impairs the right ventricle's ability to
pump blood into the pulmonary circulation, causing blood to back up into the
systemic venous system. This increased venous pressure results in
peripheral edema (fluid leaking into tissues), jugular venous distention, and
hepatomegaly.
6. A nurse is evaluating a patient's hemodynamic status. Which of the
following is the correct formula for calculating cardiac output?
A) Heart rate × Stroke volume
B) Heart rate / Stroke volume
C) Stroke volume / Heart rate
, D) Heart rate × Blood pressure
Correct Answer: Heart rate × Stroke volume
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) is the volume of blood ejected by the heart
per minute. It is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (HR) by the stroke
volume (SV). Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected from the left
ventricle with each contraction.
7. A patient is diagnosed with an elevated afterload. Which of the following
conditions is most likely contributing to this increased resistance?
A) Hypovolemia
B) Hypertension
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypervolemia
Correct Answer: Hypertension
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance that the left ventricle must overcome to
eject blood into the aorta. It is primarily determined by systemic vascular
resistance. Hypertension, which involves increased peripheral resistance,
significantly increases afterload. Other factors like aortic stenosis also
increase afterload.
8. A patient is prescribed a vasodilator to treat heart failure. The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A) Increasing cardiac contractility
B) Decreasing preload and afterload
C) Increasing heart rate
D) Promoting sodium retention
