Pathophysiology Exam 2 2026 | Practice Questions &
Verified Answers | Comprehensive Pathophysiology
Review
1. What is a common treatment for iron deficiency anemia?
Vitamin B12 injections
Iron supplements
Folic acid
Blood transfusion
2. After birth, red blood cells are normally made in which location?
Kidneys
Spleen
Bone marrow
Liver
3. In a patient with anemia, how might the function of red blood cells be
compromised, and what clinical implications could arise from this
condition?
The function of red blood cells may be compromised due to
reduced hemoglobin levels, leading to decreased oxygen
transport and potential fatigue or organ dysfunction.
The function of red blood cells may be enhanced, leading to
increased oxygen transport and improved energy levels.
The function of red blood cells may be improved by increased
plasma volume, leading to better oxygen delivery.
The function of red blood cells remains unchanged, but the
patient may experience increased fluid retention.
,4. In a patient with a compromised immune system, if monocyte
, differentiation into macrophages is impaired, what might be a potential
consequence?
Decreased blood clotting
Increased susceptibility to infections
Improved wound healing
Enhanced oxygen transport
5. The figure below is of an important molecule for oxygen transport. This
figure shows that _ _.
A. A hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four molecules of
oxygen.
B. Hemoglobin can bind to either oxygen or carbon dioxide.
D. Each iron atom can bind four oxygen molecules.
C. A red blood cell contains four hemoglobin molecules.
6. Describe how the body’s respiratory system compensates for metabolic
acidosis.
The respiratory system increases oxygen intake to balance acid
levels.
The respiratory system decreases breathing to retain carbon
dioxide, which lowers blood pH.
The respiratory system increases the rate of breathing to expel
more carbon dioxide, which helps to raise blood pH.
The respiratory system has no role in compensating for
metabolic acidosis.
7. What is the primary hemodynamic change associated with a reduction in
circulating erythrocytes?
, Increased heart rate
Decreased oxygen delivery to tissues
Increased blood pressure
Decreased blood volume
8. While planning care for a patient with inflammation, which principle will
the nurse remember? The predominant phagocyte of early inflammation
is the:
Macrophage
Eosinophil
Neutrophil
Lymphocyte
9. Which cell type differentiates to form macrophages?
Eosinophils
Basophils
Neutrophils
Mast cell
Monocyte
10. In a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, how would the
bicarbonate buffer system respond to restore acid-base balance?
By increasing bicarbonate levels to neutralize excess
hydrogen ions.
By converting bicarbonate into carbon dioxide for exhalation.
By increasing the production of red blood cells to enhance
oxygen delivery.
, By decreasing bicarbonate levels to allow more hydrogen ions
to accumulate.
11. A patient has researched white blood cells on the Internet. Which
statement indicates the patient has a good understanding? ___________
contain preformed granules of vasoactive amines.
Basophils
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Monocytes
12. Describe the physiological mechanisms that could lead to the
symptoms of dizziness and confusion in a patient with respiratory
alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis increases oxygen levels, leading to
hyperoxygenation of the brain.
Respiratory alkalosis results in increased bicarbonate levels,
leading to confusion.
Respiratory alkalosis can lead to decreased carbon dioxide
levels, causing cerebral vasoconstriction and reduced
cerebral blood flow, which may result in dizziness and
confusion.
Respiratory alkalosis causes increased blood pressure, which
improves cerebral perfusion.
13. Describe how SIADH affects fluid balance in the body and the
potential consequences of this condition.
SIADH causes excessive retention of water, leading to
dilutional hyponatremia and associated symptoms.
SIADH results in increased sodium levels and dehydration.
, SIADH leads to increased urine output and electrolyte
imbalances.
SIADH causes a decrease in blood volume and increased blood
pressure.
14. Describe how hyperkalemia affects the excitability of cardiac muscle
and its potential clinical implications.
Hyperkalemia decreases the resting membrane potential,
making cardiac muscle cells more depolarized and less
excitable.
Hyperkalemia has no effect on the resting membrane potential
of cardiac muscle cells.
Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to increased excitability of cardiac muscle cells.
Hyperkalemia causes cardiac muscle cells to become more
polarized and less excitable.
15. Which organ is primarily associated with the production of natriuretic
peptides?
Lungs
Heart
Liver
Kidneys
16. What is the term used to describe swelling in the brain due to excess
fluid accumulation?
Lymphedema
Cerebral edema
Peripheral edema
Verified Answers | Comprehensive Pathophysiology
Review
1. What is a common treatment for iron deficiency anemia?
Vitamin B12 injections
Iron supplements
Folic acid
Blood transfusion
2. After birth, red blood cells are normally made in which location?
Kidneys
Spleen
Bone marrow
Liver
3. In a patient with anemia, how might the function of red blood cells be
compromised, and what clinical implications could arise from this
condition?
The function of red blood cells may be compromised due to
reduced hemoglobin levels, leading to decreased oxygen
transport and potential fatigue or organ dysfunction.
The function of red blood cells may be enhanced, leading to
increased oxygen transport and improved energy levels.
The function of red blood cells may be improved by increased
plasma volume, leading to better oxygen delivery.
The function of red blood cells remains unchanged, but the
patient may experience increased fluid retention.
,4. In a patient with a compromised immune system, if monocyte
, differentiation into macrophages is impaired, what might be a potential
consequence?
Decreased blood clotting
Increased susceptibility to infections
Improved wound healing
Enhanced oxygen transport
5. The figure below is of an important molecule for oxygen transport. This
figure shows that _ _.
A. A hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four molecules of
oxygen.
B. Hemoglobin can bind to either oxygen or carbon dioxide.
D. Each iron atom can bind four oxygen molecules.
C. A red blood cell contains four hemoglobin molecules.
6. Describe how the body’s respiratory system compensates for metabolic
acidosis.
The respiratory system increases oxygen intake to balance acid
levels.
The respiratory system decreases breathing to retain carbon
dioxide, which lowers blood pH.
The respiratory system increases the rate of breathing to expel
more carbon dioxide, which helps to raise blood pH.
The respiratory system has no role in compensating for
metabolic acidosis.
7. What is the primary hemodynamic change associated with a reduction in
circulating erythrocytes?
, Increased heart rate
Decreased oxygen delivery to tissues
Increased blood pressure
Decreased blood volume
8. While planning care for a patient with inflammation, which principle will
the nurse remember? The predominant phagocyte of early inflammation
is the:
Macrophage
Eosinophil
Neutrophil
Lymphocyte
9. Which cell type differentiates to form macrophages?
Eosinophils
Basophils
Neutrophils
Mast cell
Monocyte
10. In a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, how would the
bicarbonate buffer system respond to restore acid-base balance?
By increasing bicarbonate levels to neutralize excess
hydrogen ions.
By converting bicarbonate into carbon dioxide for exhalation.
By increasing the production of red blood cells to enhance
oxygen delivery.
, By decreasing bicarbonate levels to allow more hydrogen ions
to accumulate.
11. A patient has researched white blood cells on the Internet. Which
statement indicates the patient has a good understanding? ___________
contain preformed granules of vasoactive amines.
Basophils
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Monocytes
12. Describe the physiological mechanisms that could lead to the
symptoms of dizziness and confusion in a patient with respiratory
alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis increases oxygen levels, leading to
hyperoxygenation of the brain.
Respiratory alkalosis results in increased bicarbonate levels,
leading to confusion.
Respiratory alkalosis can lead to decreased carbon dioxide
levels, causing cerebral vasoconstriction and reduced
cerebral blood flow, which may result in dizziness and
confusion.
Respiratory alkalosis causes increased blood pressure, which
improves cerebral perfusion.
13. Describe how SIADH affects fluid balance in the body and the
potential consequences of this condition.
SIADH causes excessive retention of water, leading to
dilutional hyponatremia and associated symptoms.
SIADH results in increased sodium levels and dehydration.
, SIADH leads to increased urine output and electrolyte
imbalances.
SIADH causes a decrease in blood volume and increased blood
pressure.
14. Describe how hyperkalemia affects the excitability of cardiac muscle
and its potential clinical implications.
Hyperkalemia decreases the resting membrane potential,
making cardiac muscle cells more depolarized and less
excitable.
Hyperkalemia has no effect on the resting membrane potential
of cardiac muscle cells.
Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to increased excitability of cardiac muscle cells.
Hyperkalemia causes cardiac muscle cells to become more
polarized and less excitable.
15. Which organ is primarily associated with the production of natriuretic
peptides?
Lungs
Heart
Liver
Kidneys
16. What is the term used to describe swelling in the brain due to excess
fluid accumulation?
Lymphedema
Cerebral edema
Peripheral edema
