NURS 6501N Exam 1 V3 | NURS 6501N
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Exam 1) |
Walden University
1. A patient is diagnosed with a decrease in cell size in the skeletal muscle of the left leg after
being in a cast for eight weeks. Which term should the nurse use to describe this condition?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse or
decreased functional demand. In this scenario, the immobilization of the leg in a cast led to
disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscle. This process allows the cell to achieve a new
equilibrium where survival is possible despite decreased metabolic needs.
2. Which cellular organelle is responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
through oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
,C. Golgi apparatus
D. Lysosome
Answer: A
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary sites of cellular energy metabolism and are
responsible for ATP production. They contain their own DNA and are double-membrane
structures that perform oxidative phosphorylation and the citric acid cycle. Without
functional mitochondria, cells would be unable to sustain the energy-intensive processes
required for life.
3. A patient has a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which pathophysiologic mechanism is
most likely occurring in the brain cells?
A. Cells shrinking due to water moving out
B. Cells swelling due to water moving in
C. Increased intracellular sodium concentration
D. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes a decrease in the osmotic pressure of the extracellular
fluid, making it hypotonic relative to the intracellular fluid. Water follows the osmotic
gradient and moves into the cells, leading to cellular edema and swelling. In the brain, this
can lead to increased intracranial pressure and significant neurological symptoms.
, 4. A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) with the following results: pH 7.30, PaCO2
52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis, as it is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45.
The PaCO2 is elevated above the normal range of 35-45 mmHg, indicating carbon dioxide
retention. Since the bicarbonate (HCO3) is within the normal range, this represents an
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. What is the primary characteristic of a Type I hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Mediated by IgG and IgM antibodies
B. Mediated by T-lymphocytes
C. Involves immune complex deposition
D. Mediated by IgE and mast cell degranulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies binding to mast cells. Upon re-exposure to an allergen, mast cells degranulate
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Exam 1) |
Walden University
1. A patient is diagnosed with a decrease in cell size in the skeletal muscle of the left leg after
being in a cast for eight weeks. Which term should the nurse use to describe this condition?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse or
decreased functional demand. In this scenario, the immobilization of the leg in a cast led to
disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscle. This process allows the cell to achieve a new
equilibrium where survival is possible despite decreased metabolic needs.
2. Which cellular organelle is responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
through oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
,C. Golgi apparatus
D. Lysosome
Answer: A
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary sites of cellular energy metabolism and are
responsible for ATP production. They contain their own DNA and are double-membrane
structures that perform oxidative phosphorylation and the citric acid cycle. Without
functional mitochondria, cells would be unable to sustain the energy-intensive processes
required for life.
3. A patient has a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which pathophysiologic mechanism is
most likely occurring in the brain cells?
A. Cells shrinking due to water moving out
B. Cells swelling due to water moving in
C. Increased intracellular sodium concentration
D. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes a decrease in the osmotic pressure of the extracellular
fluid, making it hypotonic relative to the intracellular fluid. Water follows the osmotic
gradient and moves into the cells, leading to cellular edema and swelling. In the brain, this
can lead to increased intracranial pressure and significant neurological symptoms.
, 4. A nurse is evaluating an arterial blood gas (ABG) with the following results: pH 7.30, PaCO2
52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis, as it is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45.
The PaCO2 is elevated above the normal range of 35-45 mmHg, indicating carbon dioxide
retention. Since the bicarbonate (HCO3) is within the normal range, this represents an
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. What is the primary characteristic of a Type I hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Mediated by IgG and IgM antibodies
B. Mediated by T-lymphocytes
C. Involves immune complex deposition
D. Mediated by IgE and mast cell degranulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies binding to mast cells. Upon re-exposure to an allergen, mast cells degranulate
