NURS 221
EXAM 3
ACTUAL Questions with Rationales
(Concepts of Pathophysiology in Nursing)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from Exam 3 of NURS 221 at the
Drexel University. It covers core topics assessed in
the course and reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus all have what
in common?
a. They are examples of postinfectious disorders of systemic joint function.
b. Rashes are found with all of them.
c. Weight-bearing joints are most affected.
d. These are immune-mediated systemic disorders of joint function.
Correct Answer:
d. These are immune-mediated systemic disorders of joint function.
Expert Explanation:
Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune
or immune-mediated systemic diseases. They involve abnormal immune responses that
damage connective tissue, joints, blood vessels, skin, and other organs.
2. A patient has osteoarthritis. Which principle is important for the nurse to
remember?
a. This is a systemic autoimmune disorder that causes symmetric peripheral arthritis
b. This is a type of arthritis where bacteria invade the synovial membrane
c. This is a progressive, noninflammatory disease of weight-bearing joints.
d. This is a deposition of uric acid crystals in joints causing inflammation.
Correct Answer:
c. This is a progressive, noninflammatory disease of weight-bearing joints.
Expert Explanation:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by progressive breakdown of
articular cartilage. It commonly affects weight-bearing joints and is not primarily
autoimmune or infectious.
3. A patient has an eruption of vesicles with erythematous bases localized to a
dermatomal segment of skin caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Which disorder
will the clinician observe documented on the chart?
,a. Varrucae-warts
b. Herpes zoster
c. Lichen planus
d. Scleroderma
Correct Answer:
b. Herpes zoster
Expert Explanation:
Herpes zoster, or shingles, occurs when varicella-zoster virus reactivates in sensory
nerve ganglia. It produces painful vesicular lesions along a dermatome.
4. A patient has tinea corporis. Which area is affected and which organism causes this
disorder?
a. Scalp and bacteria
b. Face and parasites
c. Trunk and fungus
d. Groin and viruses
Correct Answer:
c. Trunk and fungus
Expert Explanation:
Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the body, commonly affecting the
trunk and extremities. It is often called ringworm because of its circular appearance.
5. Clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism
a. result from decreased neuromuscular excitability.
b. are similar to those occurring with hypokalemia.
c. result from decreased serum ionized calcium.
d. are similar to those occurring with hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer:
c. result from decreased serum ionized calcium.
, Expert Explanation:
Hypoparathyroidism causes low parathyroid hormone levels, leading to decreased
serum calcium. Low ionized calcium increases neuromuscular excitability, causing tetany,
paresthesias, and muscle spasms.
6. Secondary injury that occurs after reestablishing blood flow to an ischemic area of
the brain is called what injury?
a. autoregulation
b. reperfusion
c. dysconjugate
d. stuporous
Correct Answer:
b. reperfusion
Expert Explanation:
Reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow returns to previously ischemic tissue.
Oxygen free radicals, inflammation, and edema can worsen cellular injury after
circulation is restored.
7. The physiologic change most likely to lead to an increase in intracranial pressure is
a. REM sleep
b. cerebral vasodilation
c. respiratory hyperventilation
d. hypernatremia
Correct Answer:
b. cerebral vasodilation
Expert Explanation:
Cerebral vasodilation increases cerebral blood volume within the fixed skull. Increased
intracranial volume raises intracranial pressure.
EXAM 3
ACTUAL Questions with Rationales
(Concepts of Pathophysiology in Nursing)
Drexel University
This Document Description:
This document contains a collection of Verified
questions with accurate Answers with
Rationales from Exam 3 of NURS 221 at the
Drexel University. It covers core topics assessed in
the course and reflects the actual exam format and question
style. Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,1. Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus all have what
in common?
a. They are examples of postinfectious disorders of systemic joint function.
b. Rashes are found with all of them.
c. Weight-bearing joints are most affected.
d. These are immune-mediated systemic disorders of joint function.
Correct Answer:
d. These are immune-mediated systemic disorders of joint function.
Expert Explanation:
Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune
or immune-mediated systemic diseases. They involve abnormal immune responses that
damage connective tissue, joints, blood vessels, skin, and other organs.
2. A patient has osteoarthritis. Which principle is important for the nurse to
remember?
a. This is a systemic autoimmune disorder that causes symmetric peripheral arthritis
b. This is a type of arthritis where bacteria invade the synovial membrane
c. This is a progressive, noninflammatory disease of weight-bearing joints.
d. This is a deposition of uric acid crystals in joints causing inflammation.
Correct Answer:
c. This is a progressive, noninflammatory disease of weight-bearing joints.
Expert Explanation:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by progressive breakdown of
articular cartilage. It commonly affects weight-bearing joints and is not primarily
autoimmune or infectious.
3. A patient has an eruption of vesicles with erythematous bases localized to a
dermatomal segment of skin caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Which disorder
will the clinician observe documented on the chart?
,a. Varrucae-warts
b. Herpes zoster
c. Lichen planus
d. Scleroderma
Correct Answer:
b. Herpes zoster
Expert Explanation:
Herpes zoster, or shingles, occurs when varicella-zoster virus reactivates in sensory
nerve ganglia. It produces painful vesicular lesions along a dermatome.
4. A patient has tinea corporis. Which area is affected and which organism causes this
disorder?
a. Scalp and bacteria
b. Face and parasites
c. Trunk and fungus
d. Groin and viruses
Correct Answer:
c. Trunk and fungus
Expert Explanation:
Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte fungal infection of the body, commonly affecting the
trunk and extremities. It is often called ringworm because of its circular appearance.
5. Clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism
a. result from decreased neuromuscular excitability.
b. are similar to those occurring with hypokalemia.
c. result from decreased serum ionized calcium.
d. are similar to those occurring with hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer:
c. result from decreased serum ionized calcium.
, Expert Explanation:
Hypoparathyroidism causes low parathyroid hormone levels, leading to decreased
serum calcium. Low ionized calcium increases neuromuscular excitability, causing tetany,
paresthesias, and muscle spasms.
6. Secondary injury that occurs after reestablishing blood flow to an ischemic area of
the brain is called what injury?
a. autoregulation
b. reperfusion
c. dysconjugate
d. stuporous
Correct Answer:
b. reperfusion
Expert Explanation:
Reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow returns to previously ischemic tissue.
Oxygen free radicals, inflammation, and edema can worsen cellular injury after
circulation is restored.
7. The physiologic change most likely to lead to an increase in intracranial pressure is
a. REM sleep
b. cerebral vasodilation
c. respiratory hyperventilation
d. hypernatremia
Correct Answer:
b. cerebral vasodilation
Expert Explanation:
Cerebral vasodilation increases cerebral blood volume within the fixed skull. Increased
intracranial volume raises intracranial pressure.
