NURS 6501N Exam 1 V1 | NURS 6501N
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Exam 1) |
Walden University
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular process is occurring?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells resulting in an increase in the size
of the organ. In the heart, this is often a compensatory response to increased workload
such as systemic hypertension. This differs from hyperplasia, which is an increase in the
number of cells in an organ or tissue.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the administration of
insulin to treat diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin facilitates the movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid into
the intracellular compartment. During the treatment of DKA, potassium levels can drop
rapidly even if total body potassium was already depleted. Monitoring and replacing
potassium is a critical component of managing these patients safely.
3. A patient is found to have a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 24 mEq/L.
How is this interpreted?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2 indicates that the
primary cause is respiratory. The normal bicarbonate level suggests that renal
compensation has not yet occurred significantly. This pattern is typically seen in conditions
of hypoventilation, such as COPD or sedation.
, 4. A smoker’s biopsy of the bronchial lining shows a change from ciliated columnar
epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. What is this called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often less differentiated, cell type. This adaptive change usually occurs in response to
chronic irritation or inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cells are better
able to survive the environment, they lose important functions like mucus secretion and
ciliary action.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves the deposition of antigen-antibody
complexes in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type III hypersensitivity
B. Type I hypersensitivity
C. Type II hypersensitivity
D. Type IV hypersensitivity
Answer: A
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Exam 1) |
Walden University
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular process is occurring?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells resulting in an increase in the size
of the organ. In the heart, this is often a compensatory response to increased workload
such as systemic hypertension. This differs from hyperplasia, which is an increase in the
number of cells in an organ or tissue.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the administration of
insulin to treat diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin facilitates the movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid into
the intracellular compartment. During the treatment of DKA, potassium levels can drop
rapidly even if total body potassium was already depleted. Monitoring and replacing
potassium is a critical component of managing these patients safely.
3. A patient is found to have a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 24 mEq/L.
How is this interpreted?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2 indicates that the
primary cause is respiratory. The normal bicarbonate level suggests that renal
compensation has not yet occurred significantly. This pattern is typically seen in conditions
of hypoventilation, such as COPD or sedation.
, 4. A smoker’s biopsy of the bronchial lining shows a change from ciliated columnar
epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. What is this called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often less differentiated, cell type. This adaptive change usually occurs in response to
chronic irritation or inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cells are better
able to survive the environment, they lose important functions like mucus secretion and
ciliary action.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves the deposition of antigen-antibody
complexes in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type III hypersensitivity
B. Type I hypersensitivity
C. Type II hypersensitivity
D. Type IV hypersensitivity
Answer: A
