NSG 3850 Pathophysiology for Nurses II – Exam 2 Complete
Study Guide | Practice Questions with Accurate Answers
Plus Detailed Explanations (100% Verified) | Already
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NSG 3850 EXAM 2
1. The pulmonary structure that has the least pulmonary blood flow is which of the following?
A) Lung apex
B) Middle lung
C) Lower lung
D) Zone 4
Answer: A
Rationale: The lung apex has the least pulmonary blood flow due to gravitational effects; perfusion is
greatest in the dependent portions of the lungs.
2. The central chemoreceptors for respiratory control are primarily responsive to which of the
following?
A) Changes in oxygen levels
B) Changes in pH and CO₂
C) Changes in blood pressure
D) Changes in temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors located in the medulla are primarily responsive to changes in pH
and CO₂ levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.
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,3. Hypoventilation results in which of the following arterial blood gas findings?
A) Decreased PaCO₂ and increased pH
B) Increased PaCO₂ (greater than 45 mm Hg) and hypoxemia
C) Decreased PaCO₂ and hypoxemia
D) Increased PaCO₂ and increased pH
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes inadequate air delivery to the alveoli, leading to CO₂ retention
(PaCO₂ >45 mm Hg) and decreased oxygenation.
4. Which of the following factors can cause hypoventilation?
A) Pain and anxiety
B) High altitude and fever
C) Morphine, barbiturates, and obesity
D) Sepsis and brainstem injury
Answer: C
Rationale: CNS depressants like morphine and barbiturates, along with obesity, obstructive sleep
apnea, and respiratory muscle paralysis, can cause hypoventilation.
5. Hyperventilation results in which of the following arterial blood gas findings?
A) Increased PaCO₂ and respiratory acidosis
B) Decreased PaCO₂ and respiratory alkalosis
C) Increased PaCO₂ and metabolic acidosis
D) Decreased PaCO₂ and metabolic alkalosis
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,Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation increases alveolar ventilation, leading to decreased PaCO₂ (hypocapnia)
and respiratory alkalosis.
6. Which of the following factors can cause hyperventilation?
A) Obesity and myasthenia gravis
B) Morphine and barbiturates
C) Pain, anxiety, and high altitude
D) Chest wall damage and paralysis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain, anxiety, high altitude, sepsis, fever, and brainstem injury can all trigger
hyperventilation.
7. Hypoxia is best defined as which of the following?
A) Deficient levels of oxygen in the blood
B) Decreased tissue oxygenation
C) Increased CO₂ in the blood
D) Decreased pH in the blood
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to decreased oxygenation at the tissue level, whereas hypoxemia
specifically refers to low oxygen in the blood.
8. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of acute bronchitis?
A) Chronic inflammation of the alveoli with fibrosis
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, B) Acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchi with increased mucus production
C) Destruction of alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil
D) Inflammation of the pleura with fluid accumulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute bronchitis involves acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, with capillary
dilation, swelling from fluid exudation, increased mucus production, and loss of ciliary function.
9. In emphysema, which of the following pathological changes occurs?
A) Thickening of bronchial walls with mucus plugging
B) Destruction of alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil
C) Inflammation of the trachea with exudate
D) Fibrosis of lung tissue with restriction
Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by destruction of alveolar walls, loss of elastic recoil, and
permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles.
10. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of emphysema?
A) Cyanosis and clubbing
B) Barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing
C) Productive cough with purulent sputum
D) Fever and pleuritic chest pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema presents with barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing, and use of accessory muscles
due to air trapping and loss of elastic recoil.
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
Study Guide | Practice Questions with Accurate Answers
Plus Detailed Explanations (100% Verified) | Already
Graded A+ (BRAND NEW!!!)
NSG 3850 EXAM 2
1. The pulmonary structure that has the least pulmonary blood flow is which of the following?
A) Lung apex
B) Middle lung
C) Lower lung
D) Zone 4
Answer: A
Rationale: The lung apex has the least pulmonary blood flow due to gravitational effects; perfusion is
greatest in the dependent portions of the lungs.
2. The central chemoreceptors for respiratory control are primarily responsive to which of the
following?
A) Changes in oxygen levels
B) Changes in pH and CO₂
C) Changes in blood pressure
D) Changes in temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors located in the medulla are primarily responsive to changes in pH
and CO₂ levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.
1|Page SUCCESS!!!
,3. Hypoventilation results in which of the following arterial blood gas findings?
A) Decreased PaCO₂ and increased pH
B) Increased PaCO₂ (greater than 45 mm Hg) and hypoxemia
C) Decreased PaCO₂ and hypoxemia
D) Increased PaCO₂ and increased pH
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes inadequate air delivery to the alveoli, leading to CO₂ retention
(PaCO₂ >45 mm Hg) and decreased oxygenation.
4. Which of the following factors can cause hypoventilation?
A) Pain and anxiety
B) High altitude and fever
C) Morphine, barbiturates, and obesity
D) Sepsis and brainstem injury
Answer: C
Rationale: CNS depressants like morphine and barbiturates, along with obesity, obstructive sleep
apnea, and respiratory muscle paralysis, can cause hypoventilation.
5. Hyperventilation results in which of the following arterial blood gas findings?
A) Increased PaCO₂ and respiratory acidosis
B) Decreased PaCO₂ and respiratory alkalosis
C) Increased PaCO₂ and metabolic acidosis
D) Decreased PaCO₂ and metabolic alkalosis
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation increases alveolar ventilation, leading to decreased PaCO₂ (hypocapnia)
and respiratory alkalosis.
6. Which of the following factors can cause hyperventilation?
A) Obesity and myasthenia gravis
B) Morphine and barbiturates
C) Pain, anxiety, and high altitude
D) Chest wall damage and paralysis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain, anxiety, high altitude, sepsis, fever, and brainstem injury can all trigger
hyperventilation.
7. Hypoxia is best defined as which of the following?
A) Deficient levels of oxygen in the blood
B) Decreased tissue oxygenation
C) Increased CO₂ in the blood
D) Decreased pH in the blood
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to decreased oxygenation at the tissue level, whereas hypoxemia
specifically refers to low oxygen in the blood.
8. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of acute bronchitis?
A) Chronic inflammation of the alveoli with fibrosis
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, B) Acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchi with increased mucus production
C) Destruction of alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil
D) Inflammation of the pleura with fluid accumulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute bronchitis involves acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, with capillary
dilation, swelling from fluid exudation, increased mucus production, and loss of ciliary function.
9. In emphysema, which of the following pathological changes occurs?
A) Thickening of bronchial walls with mucus plugging
B) Destruction of alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil
C) Inflammation of the trachea with exudate
D) Fibrosis of lung tissue with restriction
Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by destruction of alveolar walls, loss of elastic recoil, and
permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles.
10. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of emphysema?
A) Cyanosis and clubbing
B) Barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing
C) Productive cough with purulent sputum
D) Fever and pleuritic chest pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema presents with barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing, and use of accessory muscles
due to air trapping and loss of elastic recoil.
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
